earphonediylabs
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[edit] I created a new v2 post at https://imgur.com/a/d1iZa60 with more details and pics.
and in v3, I plan to use a 7.8mm XWB (extreme wide band) Sennheiser driver with 5~46.5KHz FR.
AMA on Reddit post, which would be easier for me to trace... Imgur message is also fine but no guarantee instant reply...
https://www.reddit.com/r/DIYHeadphone/comments/8mmxtj/build_an_earphone_with_sennheiser_ie800_shell_and/
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And hope I'm making this post a technical discussion, as either imgur nor reddit does not want them to be transaction platform...
PM EarphoneDIYLabs in Reddit or message me on imgur, AMA about DIY headphones, hopefully DIYer's technical questions to make life better :)
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As I'm getting too many question, this FAQ is for common question I'm seeing in comments. Sorry for not being able to answer one by one.
[FAQ 0] budget
As many persons reply and ask for cost, my spent on this kit is ~$45 = 10 + 2*10 + 10 + 5 = shell + 2* drivers + cable + soldering tin with 4% silver
[FAQ 1] How to ensure cable being durable
A: my experience is the glue and the quality of the cable/jacket is the key. For DIY cables with open ends, you can pick those with Nylon strings inside. And you may use strong A/B glue to ensure all joint glued firmly. And always use a gold plated, strong connector, which won't cost few $ more.
[FAQ 2] Why B&O drivers?
A: Start from a driver is so much lower cost than teardown a real H5 :)
And I experiments on different 6.5mm - 7mm drivers, so far this is the best combo. I'll experiment more and will keep you updated.
the key is to find either the best sound quality, or the best ROI.
[FAQ 3] About warrant
A: as long as DIY, there is no warrant and all risk is on your own... I made a few mistakes before showing this post in other builds. So please proceed with caution and wish you good luck. But really. there is "no pain no gain", to me, taking risk in DIY is part of the fun.
[FAQ 4]the glue
E8000 glue is mostly recommended, and you can find everywhere on Amazon or Ebay. E8000 is for sealing the gap around the dynamic with the front cover.
J-B glue is recommended to glue the ceramic back cover and the front cover, E800 won't work with ceramic at all. Again, you can find J-B glue everywhere on Amazon.
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"Sennheiser's original IE800 in-ear headphone was debuted five years ago, which was a super comfy, extremely open, natural sounding phone... It's designed and hand-made in Germany.... The new IE800 S features a single 7mm driver mounted in each ceramic ear piece; impedance is rated at 16 ohms. It comes with a rather deluxe looking real leather travel case. I like ... the injection-molded ceramic ear pieces looked snazzy in high gloss metallic grey, but the IE800 S' ear pieces are finished in a more subdued satin grey. Sennheiser isn't making any great claims about sonic differences between the two models, other than to say the IE800 S' 7mm drivers are redesigned. The IE800 S retails for $1,000, £870 and AU$1,600, while the original IE800 is still listed on Sennheiser's website at $800, £560 and AU$1,200."
Quote from CNET which perfectly recap my mind. Can we DIYers hand-made it? This build is a very interesting yet unique combination of Sennheiser IE800 ceramic shell with B&O H5 6.5mm drivers. The budget is very low cost effective to <$50.
See following reviews on B&O H5 earphone from headphonereview.com "how do they sound? Unsurprisingly considering the fact that this is B&O, they sound great. Let’s start with the bass, which is extremely strong and powerful. The headphones offer plenty of bass that should be enough for even mega-bass fans, and while some might find the amount of bass a little much, it generally sounds quite good here, especially on bass-heavy songs. It also adds a little extra oomph to non bass-heavy songs, like AC/DC’s Back In Black."
I'm a big fan of DIY earphones and headphones. AMA about how to make these babies!
You will need a pair of Sennheiser IE800 shells, B&O H5 earphone 6.5mm dynamic drivers , a DIY earphone cable with a 3.5mm jack. I picked one of same color and texture as IE800.
You will need simple tools like knife, soldering iron, glue. Note I used to recommend E8000, but this time the shell is ceramic and can not be glued by E8000. I used A/B glue instead.
You will need a pair of Sennheiser IE800 shells, B&O H5 earphone 6.5mm dynamic drivers , a DIY earphone cable with a 3.5mm jack. I picked one of same color and texture as IE800.
(PM me if you need a source )
You will need simple tools like knife, soldering iron, glue. Note I used to recommend E8000, but this time the shell is ceramic and can not be glued by E8000. I used A/B glue instead.
take a close look at the shell, the backend (the bigger part holding the dynamic driver) is ceramic and the front end (the smaller side in to ear) is metal. Love these tiny and shinning staffs :)
change an angle to have clear view.
the cable with 3.5mm jack
this is a pair of B&O H5 driver, repairing spare part.
the 2 rings on yellow paper is buffer ring, sticky on both sides.
Step 1: put the buffer ring on the front end (the side with many holes) of the dynamic ring.
Proceed with caution, and do not block hole on the front
Almost done...
Glue the driver into the front cover. Be very careful not to left the glue over on either front or back of the driver.
Done! Stay 15min until the glue sticky and strong enough.
Each back cover has 2 tiny holes. Put on the stainless steel bead, apply a tiny little bit glue. the ceramic back cover is just shining and amazing!
You will need to push a little bit hard to fix beads in...
Now both front and back covers are done.
Stick the anti-dust net to the front cover
E8000 glue is fine for this step.
Step 2: wiring and soldering.
Note the sequence of wiring...
Put on the protective jacket to the cable first.
Important notice: fix the dynamic driver on the vice clamp before soldering!!!! Don't get the little baby killed but you mighty soldering iron.
Double confirm you have done so...
Now it's the time to test your soldering skill - the driver is 6.5mm an soldering panel is as tiny as sesame seed...
Note I did a WRONG wiring here !!!! the red/yellow wires shall be reversed!!!
Also notice the wiring sequence.
Note I did a WRONG wiring here !!!! the red/yellow wires shall be reversed!!!
Last step, glue front and back covers together, put into the vice clamp and hold for 30min
And now you have it!
I bet it can beat any $150 in-ear headphones. Here is my subjective feeling about the sound.
1. the brightest mid and high frequency I have ever heard, very close to the style of my grado ms1.
2. solid bass and full of resilience, unlike Beats Studio whose bass deep dives too much and lose control.
mossom
Instructable!
earphonediylabs
Important update: My wiring examples were wrong :(
TheyHatesUsCausTheyAintUs
Instructions not clear now I'm deaph.
earphonediylabs
AMA or share your ideas how to make a better build
CrouchingTigerHiddenPipebomb
earphonediylabs
thanks!
earphonediylabs
I create a v2 post on /a/d1iZa60 with more pics and details.
AllTheGoodOnesWereGone
Having cleverly destroyed my hearing over the years, the $15 ones will now do fine thanks.
casperdaghost
$1,000 for ear buds......................you're talking Kardouchian money there...........
Inappropesmagotes
1,000 for earbuds. Nope
earphonediylabs
That was where I begin with... IE800 and other ones sounds ridiculous expensive...
thinkermakerdiyer
Looks amazing dude!!
misterhamtastic
If you're trying to apply a tiny bit of controlled glue to a tiny object, put a small pool of it on cardboard and dip an unfolded paper1/2
misterhamtastic
clip into the glue.Apply the glue on the paperclip to the target point by getting close enough for the glue to make contact with the surface
Cantaffordrice
Why not just buy the chinese ie800?
linustheman
So you made better earphones from good earphones?
earphonediylabs
I'm just saying this sounds either better or equally good as my grado... no hint it's better or not as the judge could be very subjective.
Torsun
Im still using my shure se535, best earphones i bought, great sound and durable.
sometimesidontevenknowwhyibother
Interesting. You should put this on Insructables.
earphonediylabs
it's already on ins :) Go there and search in technology/audio.
SabatonXX
Now tie that cable up in a big wad and you’re set.
Lionskull
as long as no end goes into a loop, you will never have a knot. so secure the ends and you will not have knots.
causality
The idea of buying deliberately inaccurate sound equipment because you like bass makes me cringe.
nothebees
"Put on the protective jacket to the cable first." HA! no.
earphonediylabs
And good idea? It took me some time to find a suitable glue for it.
nothebees
I mean that whenever I solder a cable, I always forget to do that, and need to unsolder it and do it over. Did it three times once....
ShiverMeeTimberz
earphonediylabs
thanks!
rj9125
How much does this end up costing?
earphonediylabs
See my updates in the beginning of the post... And hope no more discussion on price, this is supposed to be DIYer tech discussion. PM me..
clamdriver
I'm deaf
idontknowwhatishouldtakeasusername
damn it 50$ for shipping to germany from earphonediylabs
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[deleted]
idontknowwhatishouldtakeasusername
If there's a solution to not pay $50 shipping, let me know. I'll order a set..
earphonediylabs
it's 24.9 now...
DobryPolak
So how much does this build cost in the end?
earphonediylabs
See my updates in the beginning of the post... And really hop no more discussion on price, this is supposed to be DIYer tech discussion.
LucidPariah
VAVA MOOV 11 on the America Amazon. $22 dual drivers with inline controls and mic. Best headphones I have ever owned! But great DIY! Thanks!
earphonediylabs
that a good earphone too. I actually tried dual drivers in one dynamic drivers, they are very good.
Sheepyhead
Unfortunately in-ears are super uncomfortable to me. I need big pillowy around-ears phones :P
somnif
I love my Sennheiser HDR160 wireless headphones. Not too pricey, good battery life, and decent range (unless a microwave is on nearby...)
Sheepyhead
I got the Sennheiser Momentum M2 and I'm say to say they're not very comfortable... I miss my Sony MDR XB700 :c
somnif
I wear my 160s all day, and other than getting a bit sweaty if I'm on my standing bike, they're fine, even with my big ears.
Sheepyhead
They do look very nice and they're not expensive... Thanks for the recommendation :)
earphonediylabs
My too, I use this less than my big, 50mm over-the-ear one :-D
fredhoffman1968
mr speakers headphones is all i use ..costly but worth it
earphonediylabs
They are excellent and I wish I could afford one too.
FlightRisk3154
@op Where exactly do you buy the components? I would love to do this, I just can't imagine where a market exists to buy the components.
herppavitunderrpa23
earphonediylabs, I don't really like these kind of DIY things where the poster is actually a firm and sells the components.
earphonediylabs
Thanks. I make it clear in the beginning, this post is for fun, to learn from DIYers, no to sell.
suneloon
This! I need to know as well.
Corona688
What do you do to make the cord last longer than 5 fucking minues?
earphonediylabs
Finally a technical question, thanks. You need to glue it firmly to the shell, the cable is very strong with Nylon cords in side
Corona688
Where do you get these nylon cables? I am a serial headphone murdere
earphonediylabs
There are plenty on ebay, PM me if you need my source...
earphonediylabs
Btw, most earphone cables are with nylon strings inside, and some high-end ones (OFC, OCC, silver plated...) are with even stronger strings
Corona688
Then I'll probably serial murder those too. Oh well.
GUNSUP0331
Why not just use the B&O phones?
MartyMcNugget
Cause it costs less than $50 to make
H31PeR
It's just the drivers and not the complete B&O headphones.
HoboStabWound
You don't get any upvotes for that.
earphonediylabs
I have different 6.5mm to 7mm dynamic drivers, so far this is the best...
excepttheoneswhoaredead
seriously, cus i have them, and they're excelletn
w0ntoan
asking the questions that need to be asked
Speedgovernor
I can’t stand the fact that +1000$ headphones still have those utterly shitty wires which will break equally fast as the 20$ buds
JamFuel
They don’t. I use Audeze headphones both at home and on the go, and those dudes are durable as balls...
ThomasFernandez
I mean that's not very durable
JamFuel
Depends on the balls, I guess...
CreamNinja
Luckily most headphones $100 and up have detachable cables. Tho, I've yet to break any cables on any of my headphones for the last 8 years
ICanChangeMyUsernameWheneverIWantButIDontBecauseIAmGodDamnLazy
I use earphones to try to reduce sound leaking. I usually go cheap because of the wires breaking after a year.
earphonediylabs
This is an excellent question and I found that in DIY too.
earphonediylabs
I have tp change different types of glue to make sure it works firmly. As I know in factory streamline, workers won't be careful as DIYers.
shhep
What headphones are you guys buying. Even if not woven thread, every expensive pair of earplugs/headphones have had quality, lasting wires.
Speedgovernor
Actually the woven heavyduty wire won’t help if the connection joint and soldering are made poorly and fragile. Which is very often the case
shhep
Like, my Denons are now 7 years old and the wire doesn't give a fuck.
KierCalhen
I have Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2's and they have a pretty shitty cable. Braided wire would be better.
ImSoNotATerrorist
To anyone doubtful, I used to do these all the time it's not too difficult and definitely worth the effort. +1
AgolfHiller
I'm impressed you guys have the patients for it
JoshOfTheDeep
How much again?
wgrabes
In the link it says sub fifty. Thats pretty alright.
earphonediylabs
Exactly, I was surprised at the first time how great sound the build can products.
Optipotamus
This is one of the worst sentences I've read lol
ZimGenzko
How much did you spent?
DaMummy
Right, but how much do you sell them for?
earphonediylabs
I build it for fun but have no intend to sell my builds.PM me if you want a kit
floyd007
Sounds good. You should also sell those clamps and soldering irons
leonandlein
clamp: http://earphonediylabs.com/index.php/product/30mm-rubber-vise-clamp/
Willizxy
Personally I don't think I could solder at such a small scale due to my shaky hands, could you help me out?
TovarishchSkeleton
same here