It's for convenience. Doesn't get tangled, can replace with something thinner/more flexible and some people prefer one cable to the side. I used thinner wire so I dont think there's any chance this would increase audio quality, but I think the general consensus is that re-cabling doesn't improve audio quality even if you use a "better" cable.
Thank you for posting this video. I accidentally stepped on my cord and ripped the wire out of one of my earpieces. The heat gun method of opening the phones worked perfectly and I was able to resolder the wires. Very much appreciated.
You can use any 2 conductor cable (or 2 single conduction cables), Go with stranded as it is more flexible. There are many places you can get it - Stores, Online, Salvaged from something else like I did.
Beautifully done. I’m about to splice a new plug on my SR-60s due to a short after nearly 15 years of use. I’m tempted to do a full rewiring though. That Y cable drives me nuts.
thanks for this! I just did this to my set of SR80. Made my favorite headphones even nicer to use. I used a chunk of the stock cable as the over-the-head bit.
Great video! The best part was that tool you gave a link too. :-) I ordered it immediately. I had tried to open mine but was unwilling to apply as much heat as you did. Good to see that it can take what's necessary. That was actually the most important information in the video if you happen to be an E.E, Gotta say, I stayed to the end to see what clever thing you did to make the cross wire look "professional." Oh, well you can't have everything. :-)
Nice video, though I would do things a little bit differently. I would probe the jack of the original cable to find ground, left and right, and mark that on the drivers to maintain polarity. I would also use better cabling between the earcups, and I would test the headphones before putting the earcups back together to make sure that my wiring is correct( and if L and R are reversed these headphones look like they can be worn in reverse anyways), and I would solder the ground first to the jack without pretinning.
Its "1/8" Stereo Panel-Mount Audio Jack (2-Pack)", Part# 274-249 from Radioshack. There are better jacks out there, I used what I had already. The cable is just a 3.5mm to 3.5mm Stereo Audio cable, in my case 42-692 - it was on sale and had a braided cord.
I needed just the first few minutes to show me how to get the two halves apart (of my similar SR80s). Wife's hair drier worked perfectly. Many thanks. (One of the wires had broken away from its solder blob. Would have been more secure if Grado had terminated the wires and screwed them onto terminals.)
as the glue aged old, i couldn't put those 2 plastic pieces apart, i put the stuck part into a freezer and the glue went brittle, i was able to separate both halves
You can either feed it through the headband it comes with (I did not try that), or buy an aftermarket headband that has snaps and just wrap the old band and wire with that.
@RevelrousOtis I don't have the original files, you could just pause the video and take a screen shot using print screen button and paste it into paint.
The headphones come with a cable that connects to your music player etc then splits into two to go into each side of the headphones. I'm removing that cable so you just have one cable that goes to one side of the headphones and also making it so that the cable can be removed. People do this to make it less prone to getting tangled and sometimes because they dont like having cables on each side. It also makes it easier to stow and the cable I used is thinner/lighter than the originals.
I'd have to post a wiring diagram to twitter, I will add a link to the description once I've done that. If that's a lead free solder (91/9 maybe?) then I've never used it, but it should work fine.
I don't think the section from the Y to the ear cup was long enough. You could use the main part of the cable I guess, I didn't because I wanted that for another project. If you use other wire I don't think it really matters much. Whatever you have laying around that's 2 conductor stranded should be fine. I think mine was 18 awg.
Yeah - the hair dryer is to soften the glue enough so you can pull the pieces of the headphone apart. I'd recommend just using the headphones as they are for a while before even considering doing anything else to them. You may not even find it necessary to make these changes.
@TheRocky1024 I'm not familiar with those headphones, it depends how easy they are to take apart and if there is enough room inside for the connector - I couldn't say if its possible or how difficult it would be without seeing a pair.
That silver barreled Sharpie or that straight baller reamer I don't know which one I want more (Ok I know damn that reamer is sweet!). Just scored some SR80's at a thrift shop in need of some TLC. Thanks for the informative video.
some alternatives: 1.use a white marker to mark the drill/cut points. 2.boil a coin and place it over the spot for a few secs; makes it easier to make a hole by hand. 3.You can add a bluetooth receiver to convert these into a wireless headphone (mpow makes a cost effective one). Add an L adapter and some 3M mounting tape/velcro to mount to the side. Also the wiring layout is the exact same for Alessandro Music Series One.
didn't have the guts to do it with mine until the cable broke a few months ago. my only regret is making the cord between the cups too short, don't make that mistake people. otherwise, it works quite well.
@n1bpd hey i want to do a similar thing. but with different headphones. but i want to kno if theres anyother cord i can use instead of the wall wart adapter
A big thank you for this video ! I bought a Grado SR60 in 2010, the left ear went suddenly quiet recently : wire cut. Then I found you video, I had nothing to lose. I found a 3,5mm jack embase and a male/male jack for 12€ on Amazon. I could reuse the wires from the original jack cable. I managed to slide two wires in the leather of the headband with a E guitar string (first insert the string until it reach the other side, attach the wires then pull the string) I could easily learn how to solder everything from you video : 23min50s : ua-cam.com/video/0JHGJqfM0wE/v-deo.html On the right speaker I tethered the wires with little knots and listened to check if the stereo is OK, then I welded everything. Now my headphone is fixed, it's stronger as ever, and since the wires and welding are new my SR60 even regained its original clarity. Then I did these little mods : www.instructables.com/id/Grado-Headphone-Modification/ The sound is improved : better treble and bass. Thanks a lot! ;-)
hmm... and you hairdry the set is for the dried glue to be liquid again, correct? sry for the questions, i just started to get all interest to this headphones things especially grado & i just bought 1 yesterday, damn sure its nice
Hi, thank you for the fantastic mod. I'm in the middle of this, but had a few q's being that i'm very new to tinkering with electronics. 1) Why not cut the wire on the Right cup from the "y" or below and carry it over to the left side instead of attaching a new wire? 2) If "1)" can't/shouldn't be done, what gauge is ideal, you used a 2 conductor but did not mention the awg. Does it matter? I currently have 18, 24 and cat 6. Thanks again.
thats really nice im a custom headphone fanatic and thats one of the things i wanted to learn do you know if earbud headphone wires will work on other types of headphones if you solder them ???
I got a question, i own SR 80's and they look exactly the same as SR 60's. I wanna add a little green light in on both sides of the headphones, under where all of those holes are, around where it says SR 80 (in ur case SR 60). But i have no idea if the light will damage the speakers because of the small amount of heat generated from the lights, so basically i wanna know if adding lights is possible without damaging anything major?
Scott Bakula Iv'e had my SR325i's for about 10-12 years of hard abuse. In an out of backpacks, to and from work, on trips, etc. I have never covered or protected them... just thrown in my sack and off to work/play/wherever. Not one issue since purchase. If you open them up you will also notice they use a simple cable tie (simple but perfectly effective) that keeps the cable from being "pulled" on at the physical connection. Short of intentionally yanking them out of the body, i doubt you will ever have cable problems with your grados. Also, the wires they use are exceptional and are heavy guage, well protected and durable. You can of course modify the headset if you really want detachable cables, but id rather not have another point for interference to present itself. These are audiophile headphones for careful listeners who want the most sound quality... not for enthusiasts who want convenience over sound quality. Every decision made is basically "will they sound better" all else may be sacrificed. Personally I like this about grados, YMMV.
***** My comment probably sounded more cynical than intended. I agree, more or less. I've actually owned a set of SR-80s for the last couple years. My very reason for watching the vid was to get an idea of how to repair a worn out cable. The short doesn't often occur at the ears, so you're probably right about the cable tie. It occurs where the cable 'rocks against' the plastic Y joint. The wires become can eventually become frayed purely out of frequent use. So that considered, a DIY single-side mod is a pretty good solution, as opposed to paying Grado labs to replace it with the same Y-cable. I definitely don't doubt your experiences with them, but this has apparently been an issue for others. They are definitely some of the best sounding cans I've encountered though and hands down the best in the price range.
No damage from the hair dryer. There's a bit air gap which provides insulation so it shouldnt be an issue - just dont point the dryer directly at an exposed driver.
Found this video again. I have a question that you should be able to answer: - Could you do a mod for me in the future? - Could you do a NON-single side mod? I am fine with split wires.
I can't remember where I got those, but I've seen them in Home Depot, Lowes and Radioshack to name the more prolific of retailers. Here's a link to Amazon for an Irwin branded one www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OQ21CA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000OQ21CA&linkCode=as2&tag=n0841-20
Thanks for sharing this with everyone! Just wondering, what kind of 3.5mm jack did you use? I bought one today, but it feels flimsy and I find it difficult to insert the plug into it.
tx for all your help bro sure is very helpful :), but im a kinda guy who likes to mendle around with my stuff.. so i think i will get my hand dirty with my cans as soon as i can, im gonna change the body mod and all other things to have fun.. tx
I know this video is kinda old, but if I wanted to make a Y split detatchable cable for some grados, would I buy a mono panel-mount audio jack or stereo? One of these will sit in each ear cup
It's a Stereo 3.5mm TRS Jack, or as Radioshack calls it a " 1/8" Stereo Panel-Mount Audio Jack", part 274-249. I'm not that impressed with its construction, but they are local.
I love your job, man :) btw: where to buy this detachable jack? and what's its brand? :) what kind of it? is it a DC power connector from Radioshack?
It's just stuff from radioshack - I since bought better connectors and wire for when I re-cable it, but haven't got around to that yet... and I cant find them to give you what brand they were.
its bad for making 1 cord instead of 2, coz that one which goes around your head makes electricity reach speakers not at the same time coz that cord has resistance that makes it little quieter
The link for the reaming tool is no longer working (just takes you to the site) so here it is again: www.dx.com/p/edge-reamer-professional-reaming-universal-hole-drill-tool-014mm-opener-reamer-black-2712379.html#.Xt
It's for convenience. Doesn't get tangled, can replace with something thinner/more flexible and some people prefer one cable to the side.
I used thinner wire so I dont think there's any chance this would increase audio quality, but I think the general consensus is that re-cabling doesn't improve audio quality even if you use a "better" cable.
Thank you for posting this video. I accidentally stepped on my cord and ripped the wire out of one of my earpieces. The heat gun method of opening the phones worked perfectly and I was able to resolder the wires. Very much appreciated.
You can use any 2 conductor cable (or 2 single conduction cables), Go with stranded as it is more flexible.
There are many places you can get it - Stores, Online, Salvaged from something else like I did.
Beautifully done. I’m about to splice a new plug on my SR-60s due to a short after nearly 15 years of use. I’m tempted to do a full rewiring though. That Y cable drives me nuts.
thanks for this! I just did this to my set of SR80. Made my favorite headphones even nicer to use. I used a chunk of the stock cable as the over-the-head bit.
Great video! The best part was that tool you gave a link too. :-) I ordered it immediately.
I had tried to open mine but was unwilling to apply as much heat as you did. Good to see that it can take what's necessary. That was actually the most important information in the video if you happen to be an E.E,
Gotta say, I stayed to the end to see what clever thing you did to make the cross wire look "professional." Oh, well you can't have everything. :-)
Nice video, though I would do things a little bit differently. I would probe the jack of the original cable to find ground, left and right, and mark that on the drivers to maintain polarity. I would also use better cabling between the earcups, and I would test the headphones before putting the earcups back together to make sure that my wiring is correct( and if L and R are reversed these headphones look like they can be worn in reverse anyways), and I would solder the ground first to the jack without pretinning.
Its "1/8" Stereo Panel-Mount Audio Jack (2-Pack)", Part# 274-249 from Radioshack. There are better jacks out there, I used what I had already. The cable is just a 3.5mm to 3.5mm Stereo Audio cable, in my case 42-692 - it was on sale and had a braided cord.
I needed just the first few minutes to show me how to get the two halves apart (of my similar SR80s). Wife's hair drier worked perfectly. Many thanks.
(One of the wires had broken away from its solder blob. Would have been more secure if Grado had terminated the wires and screwed them onto terminals.)
as the glue aged old, i couldn't put those 2 plastic pieces apart, i put the stuck part into a freezer and the glue went brittle, i was able to separate both halves
Not at all, thanks for asking.
Once its done send me a link in a message and I'll add it to the description.
this is one of the most calming videos I've ever seen. haha, thanks for sharing and great mod!
You can either feed it through the headband it comes with (I did not try that), or buy an aftermarket headband that has snaps and just wrap the old band and wire with that.
Heat works great, but another method is using a little alcohol to loosen the glue.
It's referenced in the description along with a link.
It just softens it slightly, it still requires some effort to separate. If your dryer has a higher setting try that.
@RevelrousOtis I don't have the original files, you could just pause the video and take a screen shot using print screen button and paste it into paint.
@BlexTrex To soften the glue, otherwise they wont come apart.
The headphones come with a cable that connects to your music player etc then splits into two to go into each side of the headphones.
I'm removing that cable so you just have one cable that goes to one side of the headphones and also making it so that the cable can be removed.
People do this to make it less prone to getting tangled and sometimes because they dont like having cables on each side. It also makes it easier to stow and the cable I used is thinner/lighter than the originals.
I'd have to post a wiring diagram to twitter, I will add a link to the description once I've done that.
If that's a lead free solder (91/9 maybe?) then I've never used it, but it should work fine.
Who's the Man?! YOU ARE!!! Thank you so much for posting this! AND, the link for the hole saw tool, just ordered mine! You Sofa King Rock!!!
I don't think the section from the Y to the ear cup was long enough. You could use the main part of the cable I guess, I didn't because I wanted that for another project.
If you use other wire I don't think it really matters much. Whatever you have laying around that's 2 conductor stranded should be fine. I think mine was 18 awg.
You can re-use them, but they are a bit of a pain to work with because they are fine and sometimes coated.
I didn't notice any change in audio quality.
Yeah - the hair dryer is to soften the glue enough so you can pull the pieces of the headphone apart.
I'd recommend just using the headphones as they are for a while before even considering doing anything else to them. You may not even find it necessary to make these changes.
@TheRocky1024 I'm not familiar with those headphones, it depends how easy they are to take apart and if there is enough room inside for the connector - I couldn't say if its possible or how difficult it would be without seeing a pair.
That silver barreled Sharpie or that straight baller reamer I don't know which one I want more (Ok I know damn that reamer is sweet!). Just scored some SR80's at a thrift shop in need of some TLC. Thanks for the informative video.
so lucky!
some alternatives:
1.use a white marker to mark the drill/cut points.
2.boil a coin and place it over the spot for a few secs; makes it easier to make a hole by hand.
3.You can add a bluetooth receiver to convert these into a wireless headphone (mpow makes a cost effective one). Add an L adapter and some 3M mounting tape/velcro to mount to the side.
Also the wiring layout is the exact same for Alessandro Music Series One.
didn't have the guts to do it with mine until the cable broke a few months ago. my only regret is making the cord between the cups too short, don't make that mistake people. otherwise, it works quite well.
There's a link in the description to where I bought it from with more info on the tool.
Could the heat from the hair-dryer damage the diaphragm?
how much heat did u apply to the cups to open?
Did you use a mono jack and mono socket? Can I use a stereo jack and stereo socket instead?
Can you please explain how the wires connect the side of the headphone plug, thanks
can you please make a wiring diagram? also are you using 60/40 solder? ever heard of/thoughts on 91/3 solder?
@n1bpd hey i want to do a similar thing. but with different headphones. but i want to kno if theres anyother cord i can use instead of the wall wart adapter
What fan is used here? Is it enough power in simple bath fan to warm up the glue?
what is that thing you use make the holes?
Dude thank you!!! I put did this mod ive made both cans the same way so i can plug a jack into both of then and both sides work!!! Thanks for the help
@fatshady92 it looks like it would work.
It may change the sound quality, right? Better?
Would you mind if I put this on instructables?
A big thank you for this video ! I bought a Grado SR60 in 2010, the left ear went suddenly quiet recently : wire cut.
Then I found you video, I had nothing to lose.
I found a 3,5mm jack embase and a male/male jack for 12€ on Amazon. I could reuse the wires from the original jack cable.
I managed to slide two wires in the leather of the headband with a E guitar string (first insert the string until it reach the other side, attach the wires then pull the string)
I could easily learn how to solder everything from you video : 23min50s : ua-cam.com/video/0JHGJqfM0wE/v-deo.html
On the right speaker I tethered the wires with little knots and listened to check if the stereo is OK, then I welded everything.
Now my headphone is fixed, it's stronger as ever, and since the wires and welding are new my SR60 even regained its original clarity.
Then I did these little mods : www.instructables.com/id/Grado-Headphone-Modification/
The sound is improved : better treble and bass.
Thanks a lot! ;-)
so it is really easy to fake grado model.. just replace caps with number on it?
hmm... and you hairdry the set is for the dried glue to be liquid again, correct? sry for the questions, i just started to get all interest to this headphones things especially grado & i just bought 1 yesterday, damn sure its nice
Sorry I dont have the time to do these mods (there are a few that do a much more professional job than I did in this video on the head-fi forums)
Hi, thank you for the fantastic mod. I'm in the middle of this, but had a few q's being that i'm very new to tinkering with electronics. 1) Why not cut the wire on the Right cup from the "y" or below and carry it over to the left side instead of attaching a new wire? 2) If "1)" can't/shouldn't be done, what gauge is ideal, you used a 2 conductor but did not mention the awg. Does it matter? I currently have 18, 24 and cat 6. Thanks again.
thats really nice im a custom headphone fanatic and thats one of the things i wanted to learn do you know if earbud headphone wires will work on other types of headphones if you solder them
???
anyone know who does this service that does great work? pls refer someone
I got a question, i own SR 80's and they look exactly the same as SR 60's. I wanna add a little green light in on both sides of the headphones, under where all of those holes are, around where it says SR 80 (in ur case SR 60). But i have no idea if the light will damage the speakers because of the small amount of heat generated from the lights, so basically i wanna know if adding lights is possible without damaging anything major?
What plug and jack did you use ive watched this video like 10 times and id like to do this mod
Why you use hair dryer? I'm planning to do this mod
@TheRocky1024 I'm sorry, I'm not able to do work for other people.
Just did mine, thanks !
could you email me the pictures from the end of the video, the instructable needs a cover pic and i cant get my video to picture converter to work.
Any difference in sound?
One day Grado Labs will realize it is way too late to start producing models with detachable cables. And then they will try to catch up.
I kind of suspect they use cheap Y cables just to keep people coming back to them for repairs.
Scott Bakula
On other hand, if my pair does not break for 2 years, I will take back my words. The cables do look really sturdy.
Scott Bakula
Iv'e had my SR325i's for about 10-12 years of hard abuse. In an out of backpacks, to and from work, on trips, etc. I have never covered or protected them... just thrown in my sack and off to work/play/wherever. Not one issue since purchase. If you open them up you will also notice they use a simple cable tie (simple but perfectly effective) that keeps the cable from being "pulled" on at the physical connection. Short of intentionally yanking them out of the body, i doubt you will ever have cable problems with your grados. Also, the wires they use are exceptional and are heavy guage, well protected and durable. You can of course modify the headset if you really want detachable cables, but id rather not have another point for interference to present itself. These are audiophile headphones for careful listeners who want the most sound quality... not for enthusiasts who want convenience over sound quality. Every decision made is basically "will they sound better" all else may be sacrificed. Personally I like this about grados, YMMV.
*****
Thank for that extra bit of reassurance! That means my model will serve me well.
***** My comment probably sounded more cynical than intended. I agree, more or less. I've actually owned a set of SR-80s for the last couple years. My very reason for watching the vid was to get an idea of how to repair a worn out cable. The short doesn't often occur at the ears, so you're probably right about the cable tie. It occurs where the cable 'rocks against' the plastic Y joint. The wires become can eventually become frayed purely out of frequent use. So that considered, a DIY single-side mod is a pretty good solution, as opposed to paying Grado labs to replace it with the same Y-cable. I definitely don't doubt your experiences with them, but this has apparently been an issue for others. They are definitely some of the best sounding cans I've encountered though and hands down the best in the price range.
any ideas on how to reinforce the cable connection so that they do not become loose again?
Inside each headphone, use some Colson-type hose clamps to block the wires.
@@woodoo4 cool thanks. wow I asked this 4 years ago.
The hair dryer does not damage the driver?
No damage from the hair dryer. There's a bit air gap which provides insulation so it shouldnt be an issue - just dont point the dryer directly at an exposed driver.
Found this video again. I have a question that you should be able to answer:
- Could you do a mod for me in the future?
- Could you do a NON-single side mod? I am fine with split wires.
Thanks, but I don't offer this as a service.
Great video? Do you do work privately? Can you be contracted to mod other headphones?
how much would you charge to do this for someone?
Where did you get those wire strippers
I can't remember where I got those, but I've seen them in Home Depot, Lowes and Radioshack to name the more prolific of retailers.
Here's a link to Amazon for an Irwin branded one
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OQ21CA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000OQ21CA&linkCode=as2&tag=n0841-20
Thanks for sharing this with everyone!
Just wondering, what kind of 3.5mm jack did you use? I bought one today, but it feels flimsy and I find it difficult to insert the plug into it.
tx for all your help bro sure is very helpful :), but im a kinda guy who likes to mendle around with my stuff.. so i think i will get my hand dirty with my cans as soon as i can, im gonna change the body mod and all other things to have fun.. tx
I posted it to my twitter feed - @n1bpd, link is in the description.
i tried hair drying them for over half hour... but the glue doesnt melt like yours,, :(
Love my Grados, HATE, HATE, HATE Y cables :-( Thanks for the vid. Don't think I'll man up to this mod attempt, but will give it a thought.
I know this video is kinda old, but if I wanted to make a Y split detatchable cable for some grados, would I buy a mono panel-mount audio jack or stereo? One of these will sit in each ear cup
link to what im talking about www.radioshack.com/collections/connectors-adapters/products/radioshack-1-8-stereo-panel-mount-audio-jack-2-pack
If you still want a Y-cable, you'd use two mono panel mount jacks; one for each side.
what tool is that?
It's a Stereo 3.5mm TRS Jack, or as Radioshack calls it a " 1/8" Stereo Panel-Mount Audio Jack", part 274-249.
I'm not that impressed with its construction, but they are local.
how to properly called a tool which you drill?
It's probably called a reamer elsewhere, this is the item on DX www.dx.com/p/0-14mm-steel-hole-saw-installation-kit-41133#.WH_YiPkrJaQ
thank you so much! and how to open ps500? please
that hairdryer has some years behind it LOL. Nice vid!.
I love your job, man :)
btw: where to buy this detachable jack? and what's its brand? :) what kind of it? is it a DC power connector from Radioshack?
I heard this was an audio product. But I didnt hear a single damn word from this 25 min video...
thanks for sharing
@crectenw Thanks!
Thanks for this demo! -What brand cable/mini plug are you using?
It's just stuff from radioshack - I since bought better connectors and wire for when I re-cable it, but haven't got around to that yet... and I cant find them to give you what brand they were.
Do you do these mods? I'd be more than willing to send my Grados and pay a fee to have this done.
Are you a technician by any chance?
thank you thank youthank youthank you I've been wanting to know how to open them up.
Even easier, the little numbered "button" on the cap is just held on with hot glue.
Very helpful!
Sorry, I don't offer a service to do this mod.
its bad for making 1 cord instead of 2, coz that one which goes around your head makes electricity reach speakers not at the same time coz that cord has resistance that makes it little quieter
Dude your a beast!!!!
Well done
The link for the reaming tool is no longer working (just takes you to the site) so here it is again:
www.dx.com/p/edge-reamer-professional-reaming-universal-hole-drill-tool-014mm-opener-reamer-black-2712379.html#.Xt
Groovy. Cheers!
Living dangerously with that box cutter
im sorry for asking such a stupid question... but what are you doing? literally,, i wasnt being sarcastic, i just didnt understand
I didn't understand that, but it seems professional.............
Haha. Your "heatgun" is a hair dryer. Just like at my house.
Genius
No, just a hobbyist.
I wish I had a soldering iron.
@n1bpd Muchas gracias
I want to do this mod, but I don't have 'Salon Selectives 1600'.. :'((
it says i'm not authorized, and that "following" you is pending.