Has anybody made an ELS headphone? - Page 3

chinsettawong · 8th November 2008, 02:55 AM

I tested a 0.4 mm spacer with food wrap plastic as diaphragm. I have to say that I am now very confused. I can't get any sound at all at 600V, 900V or even 1200V. I check and check for any mistake that I might have done and I couldn't find any.

My configuration now is 1mm stator, 0.4mm spacer, diaphragm, 0.4mm spacer, and 1mm stator. I coated the diaphragm with graphite powder this time.

Is it possible that the diaphragm was suck to one side? How can you tell if that is the case?

Wachara C.

atarashi · 8th November 2008, 01:49 PM

or, there was no contact between your bias supply and the diaphragm?

you could try holding it up against a light bulb. if you have the correct angle you can see the diaphragm, maybe this works?

chinsettawong · 10th November 2008, 03:57 PM

Atarashi,

It's all my own fault. My conductive material doesn't contact with the diaphragm very well and therefore no electricity goes to the diaphragm. I also have a problem with my 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm spacer. I have tried a few type of glues and they don't stick to the diaphragm well. I now go back to my original spacer which is 1 mm thick and I am using around 1200V as bias voltage.

I've just found out also that I had a mismatch of impedances between the output of my amplifier and the input of my headphone. I now use 4 ohm output tap from my 2A3SE to drive the headphone and it is now singing beautifully.

I am still searching for a thinner material to use as spacer and also a thinner mylar. But as for now, I'm happy.

Wachara C.

chinsettawong · 11th November 2008, 04:47 AM

I tried with lower volatges. At 900V, using a 2A3SE amp and a preamp, the headphone sounds OK. But with 600V, the sound is a little too soft.

atarashi · 11th November 2008, 06:32 AM

Well, good to hear that you make progress!

try to find a thinner diaphragm, and spacers in the 0.5 - 0.6 mm region, and with around 600V bias and either a nice step-up or (better?) a direct drive amp you will see what is really possible with electrostatic headphones...
(hint: a lot!)

so, good luck and enjoy your headphones!

chinsettawong · 11th November 2008, 11:41 AM

Atarashi,

Thanks for all your help. I have just tried the headphone with my 6528SE amp and my pre amp, and it sounds even better. I can't wait to build a headphone amp for it.

Yes, I will try to source the spacer and diaphragm material. Now that I know what I am doing, I might build a pair of speakers.

chinsettawong · 22nd April 2009, 05:45 AM

Well, I few months have passed, and I have finished making two models of ES headphone. I just want to post some pictures here and to thank you all for helping me making this project a success.

Wachara C

chinsettawong · 22nd April 2009, 05:49 AM

For my 2nd version, I made the stator and diaphragm into an oval shape. The size is 8x12 cm.

chinsettawong · 22nd April 2009, 05:52 AM

I also made an amplifier to drive the headphone. It sounds wonderful. Actually it sounds far better than any other headphones that I have.

chinsettawong · 22nd April 2009, 05:58 AM

Here it is with the cushions on. The diaphragm that I am using now is 6 microns mylar. The bass goes down a lot lower than 11 microns food wrap. I wonder if I change to something even thinner, will the low frequency response be even better?

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8th November 2008, 02:55 AM	#21
chinsettawong diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	I tested a 0.4 mm spacer with food wrap plastic as diaphragm. I have to say that I am now very confused. I can't get any sound at all at 600V, 900V or even 1200V. I check and check for any mistake that I might have done and I couldn't find any. My configuration now is 1mm stator, 0.4mm spacer, diaphragm, 0.4mm spacer, and 1mm stator. I coated the diaphragm with graphite powder this time. Is it possible that the diaphragm was suck to one side? How can you tell if that is the case? Wachara C.

8th November 2008, 01:49 PM	#22
atarashi diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vienna	or, there was no contact between your bias supply and the diaphragm? you could try holding it up against a light bulb. if you have the correct angle you can see the diaphragm, maybe this works?

10th November 2008, 03:57 PM	#23
chinsettawong diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	Atarashi, It's all my own fault. My conductive material doesn't contact with the diaphragm very well and therefore no electricity goes to the diaphragm. I also have a problem with my 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm spacer. I have tried a few type of glues and they don't stick to the diaphragm well. I now go back to my original spacer which is 1 mm thick and I am using around 1200V as bias voltage. I've just found out also that I had a mismatch of impedances between the output of my amplifier and the input of my headphone. I now use 4 ohm output tap from my 2A3SE to drive the headphone and it is now singing beautifully. I am still searching for a thinner material to use as spacer and also a thinner mylar. But as for now, I'm happy. Wachara C.

11th November 2008, 04:47 AM	#24
chinsettawong diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	I tried with lower volatges. At 900V, using a 2A3SE amp and a preamp, the headphone sounds OK. But with 600V, the sound is a little too soft.

11th November 2008, 06:32 AM	#25
atarashi diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vienna	Well, good to hear that you make progress! try to find a thinner diaphragm, and spacers in the 0.5 - 0.6 mm region, and with around 600V bias and either a nice step-up or (better?) a direct drive amp you will see what is really possible with electrostatic headphones... (hint: a lot!) so, good luck and enjoy your headphones!

11th November 2008, 11:41 AM	#26
chinsettawong diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	Atarashi, Thanks for all your help. I have just tried the headphone with my 6528SE amp and my pre amp, and it sounds even better. I can't wait to build a headphone amp for it. Yes, I will try to source the spacer and diaphragm material. Now that I know what I am doing, I might build a pair of speakers.

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