AKG k240 DIY Recommendations

[xSten]

Hello all,
First time on a forum like this. I am looking for some recommendations/ guidance on how i can modify these AKG K240's. Long story short, the original 1/4" phono plug was yanked off the end by a youngster a long time ago. I plan on repairing these phones to give back to the original owner for a surprise and nostalgia purposes. Their current setup would not favor the 1/4" plug being on the end i dont think. I am trying to think of a way to re-wire these phones. I've attached a diagram showing how they are currently wired up. The owner's amplifier is a Carver CM-1090 if that helps. I still have the original phono plug and can provide more information on that if needed. What I currently have are the headphones with the four wires coming out of the end instead of the plug.

Here's things i've been considering (take in mind im not an audio wiz, just a mechanical engineer that knows how to solder and likes audio 🙂 )
- Price range: <$100
- Wiring for RCA output?

Thanks for any help guys!
-Sten


Edit: The picture i attached is simplified on how the are wired. I havent split them or anything crazy like that

 

[famousmockingbird]

I may be misunderstanding your question but I have a pair of those and from what I understand is if a kid ripped off the 1/4" phono plug which was just screwed onto an 1/8" phono plug then the end that plugs into the headphones themselves can just be removed by pushing the little release button and pulling down and out.

Here I circled where you can remove the cable from the cans without surgery.

 

[xSten]

I should have included actual pictures of them. They must be an older revision as they are hard wired in as shown in that picture. I wish it was that easy! haha

 

[nattawa]

I personally would favor keeping the original single-sided wiring style, more so in the case of nostalgia🙂, and would re-fit a 1/4" plug to the cord. To hook up to RCA connectors a female 1/4" to dual RCA male adapter will do the job. Like This One

If you insist breaking into the back of the drivers This youtube video shows how to open up the right side unit.

The K240 phones have its right side driver wired to the back of the left driver, by using the overhead spring hanger as conductors, and there join the left side driver wires into a three-conductor cord. The left and right drivers share a common return conductor.

As of the 1/4" plug wiring, the tip conductor is for Left, Ring conductor (in the middle) is for Right, and the Sleeve conductor is for common return shared by the left and right drivers.

 

[xSten]

Thanks for your reply. I may as well just reattach the original plug and clean them up.

 

[PRR]

> Wiring for RCA output?

Not all "RCA outputs" have the grunt to drive even 600 Ohm phones.

I would just replace the 1/4" plug. As I recall there was ample cord length on the old 240s.

Do I recall that some headphones use a tinsel conductor that is nearly unsolderable?

 

[asymcon]

It might be good idea to replace the whole cable for something more durable. I have 4 pairs of various legacy K240s and the original 3-wire cable was rubbish in terms of crosstalk and durability. Yours seems to be older revision with wound bi-wired cable (better option). I use Van Damme Starquad Miniature in mine, costs about $3/metre (no audiophool snake oil, just good well made cable) and fits perfectly well with the cap on the other side.
Now, guaranted biwiring all the way to the 1/8" TRS (or 1/4" in your case) and enhanced durability - so far survived multiple runovers with a chair, can't say that with the stock cable.

 

[xSten]

Thanks for your reply! That's what I was thinking after looking at that wire, pretty wimpy. Once I finish fixing them I'll post some pictures if anyone's interested! Thanks everyone

 

[Salas]

I should have included actual pictures of them. They must be an older revision as they are hard wired in as shown in that picture. I wish it was that easy! haha

This version is the much sought after 600 Ohm original with the flattest cleanest midrange of all by the way. Even less in bass volume and less efficient than the current type though.

 

[xSten]

I've done some brief searching on that Van Damme cable and it seems a little hard to find. Does anyone know of a suitable substitute if I can't find that?