Sam Williams
New member
Sony MDR-EX70 port blocking: revised method
I know a couple of people have already tried this mod, and are really pleased with the improved sound of the earplugs. For newcomers, the mod simply involves blocking the three small ports on the exterior surface of the plugs with Blu-Tack (or your local equivalent), and reduces their bass-heaviness substantially. Many 'loungers consider the EX-70 to be a great iPod headphone with excellent isolation and comfort, but excessive bass.
The only small drawback with the Blu-Tack mod is that the Blu-Tack itself is slightly sticky and can attract dust and fluff while the plugs are stored; also, because it's so malleable, it can move around over time, which again looks messy.
So today, I decided to try an improved mod, and it worked nicely. Here it is... I don't have a camera, sadly, but these instructions should serve the purpose:
Blocking the ports on your Sony MDR-EX70s:
1. Place a -tiny- amount of Blu-Tack (perhaps a ball one millimetre in diameter) near the three ports.
2. Work it into place so that it forms a single, roughly lozenge-shaped blob which covers and partially intrudes into all three ports.
3. Flatten the surface of the Blu-Tack so that it is smooth, and shape the edges so you have a smooth lozenge shape fitting inside the circular indentation which contains the ports
4. Apply a drop of Loctite Superglue (or your favourite brand) to the top of the Blu-Tack.
5. Use the tip of the Superglue bottle to gently spread the Superglue droplet so it covers roughly the same area as the circular indentation. You should use just enough Superglue so it forms a clearly raised 'dome' nestling in the circle, and completely covers the Blu-Tack.
6. Rest the earplugs on a surface with the ports facing skywards and leave them to dry for an hour or so. I won't even warn people not to put them in before they're certain the glue is dry... ;-)
The end result is that the ports are blocked very neatly, and the dried Superglue forms a totally clear, hard, touchable surface with a similar feel to the surrounding silvery plastic. No more fluff!
This mod is obviously fairly irreversible, so if you haven't yet blocked the ports, I'd advise you to try the Blu-Tack-only mod for a couple of days first. Feedback (and success/failure stories) welcome - especially the hilarious failures which end up with headphones stuck in amusing places. Good luck!
Sam
PS. I have a pair of MDR-EX71SLs on order currently. When they arrive, I'll modify them too - watch this space.
I know a couple of people have already tried this mod, and are really pleased with the improved sound of the earplugs. For newcomers, the mod simply involves blocking the three small ports on the exterior surface of the plugs with Blu-Tack (or your local equivalent), and reduces their bass-heaviness substantially. Many 'loungers consider the EX-70 to be a great iPod headphone with excellent isolation and comfort, but excessive bass.
The only small drawback with the Blu-Tack mod is that the Blu-Tack itself is slightly sticky and can attract dust and fluff while the plugs are stored; also, because it's so malleable, it can move around over time, which again looks messy.
So today, I decided to try an improved mod, and it worked nicely. Here it is... I don't have a camera, sadly, but these instructions should serve the purpose:
Blocking the ports on your Sony MDR-EX70s:
1. Place a -tiny- amount of Blu-Tack (perhaps a ball one millimetre in diameter) near the three ports.
2. Work it into place so that it forms a single, roughly lozenge-shaped blob which covers and partially intrudes into all three ports.
3. Flatten the surface of the Blu-Tack so that it is smooth, and shape the edges so you have a smooth lozenge shape fitting inside the circular indentation which contains the ports
4. Apply a drop of Loctite Superglue (or your favourite brand) to the top of the Blu-Tack.
5. Use the tip of the Superglue bottle to gently spread the Superglue droplet so it covers roughly the same area as the circular indentation. You should use just enough Superglue so it forms a clearly raised 'dome' nestling in the circle, and completely covers the Blu-Tack.
6. Rest the earplugs on a surface with the ports facing skywards and leave them to dry for an hour or so. I won't even warn people not to put them in before they're certain the glue is dry... ;-)
The end result is that the ports are blocked very neatly, and the dried Superglue forms a totally clear, hard, touchable surface with a similar feel to the surrounding silvery plastic. No more fluff!
This mod is obviously fairly irreversible, so if you haven't yet blocked the ports, I'd advise you to try the Blu-Tack-only mod for a couple of days first. Feedback (and success/failure stories) welcome - especially the hilarious failures which end up with headphones stuck in amusing places. Good luck!
Sam
PS. I have a pair of MDR-EX71SLs on order currently. When they arrive, I'll modify them too - watch this space.
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