Sony MDR-XD300 headphone modification

[peteran]

Hello all,

I have for a time had the Sony MDR-XD300 headphones as listening equipment. While these may not be the high-end headphones some of you are accustomed to, I am quite satisfied with these.

Frequency range: 8-25000 Hz
Impedance: 70 ohm
Sensitivity: 104db/mW

I am currently considering the following modifications:
A. Separate left and right cabling
B. Other possible modifications

On A, I would basically aim towards a balanced cable and a separate shielding for each of the left/right sides. (Of course the shielding could/might be shared between channels, but apart from that nothing...) Basically the idea would be something like XLR-connector on each part of the headphones, but a standard XLR-connector is quite bulky and I am leaning towards something like a mini-XLR or possily a standard 1/8" stereo plug (or something similar).

On B, I am considering conversion from closed to open, but I would like to hear any input from other experiences. Also other modifications are interesting.

Glad to hear your input on this...

[Ron E]

Originally posted by peteran
I am currently considering the following modifications:
A. Separate left and right cabling
B. conversion from closed to open

IMO, cable swaps on headphones are pointless unless you just don't like the original cable's mechanical performance, or if it shorts out.

Converting a closed headphone to open will probably remove all bass.

[peteran]

A: The separate left/right cabling is to provide flexibility (among other thins). I've already had to shorten the current cable due to a small accident when rolling over it with an office chair a number of times. Also separating the channels gives me the option to play with running the headphones in a balanced fashion. I'm leaning towards 2x mono 1/8" as it'll take less space and weight, but using mini-XLR would give separate hot, cold and ground. Then again using a stereo 1/8" connector could be wired with left and right as hot and cold. Damn. Can't decide what to do Maybe I'll just run a 10" wire out and put a suitable connector there.

B: I was perhaps a bit short on my thinking on this. Yes, I suspected that converting closed to open would kill bass. I was considering something in the lines of the grado headphone modifications. Perhaps something kind of modular design to play with open, closed and different volumes.

C (new): In order to get something more objective than listening tests I'm thinking I will need to build a "dummy head"/"artificial ear". I haven't seen this around much, so if anyone has a link or ideas...

D: In order to do C I would like to measure and store the results on a computer. (As it is I don't even have an oscilloscope at home, but that will soon change. I will buy a used analog one as soon as I decide which one I need.) I am leaning towards either using my soundcard for this or using buying one of the PicoScope 2200 Series oscilloscopes for this. Any recommendations here?