Headphone maintenance

[lesmac]

Anyone do maintenance on their headphones?

I finally noticed some distortion brought about by low end in a set of DT 770 Pros.
I googled some help and found its a fairly common problem.

The set is about 10 years old and has never been cleaned. Just taking the ear pads off and picking off some random hairs has made a difference already but when I can find my glasses I'll probably try and take the black foam off and check inside. Maybe I'll try the vacuum cleaner on it first as initial steps to carefully open them up proved fruitless.

I've got another set thats hardly been used and boy they sound GREAT compared to the used ones.

I must admit they get dropped a lot so I hope the problem is just a cleaning issue.

[Len911]

I wouldn't open them up to clean, they're probably sealed. have the ear pads been replaced? They might be compressed from usage and allow leakage. I suppose you could clean and polish the jack.

[lesmac]

Update: Do not use a vacuum cleaner on your headphones!!

There are you tube videos on dismantling DT770's and remedying the distortion problem.

Using a hair dryer to heat the rings that hold the ear pads on is essential as you can lift the cloth covering the foam on the ear pads [as I did on a cursory investigation ].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM4Qs5KzW54

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBEew8Sa-i8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Miyh_zISGZA&t=527s

I haven't totally sorted mine out yet but with some care I think this can be accomplished. I have had these for ten years and want to keep using them. As described in the last video they are modular and can be operated on to replace worn out parts. The inner foam on mine has worn through!

[funsongs]

The plastic covering of the ear pads on a pair of Sony MD-7506's (that I've gotten plenty of use out of) have begun to disintegrate. I've had lack-of-longevity issues with nearly every Sony product I've ever owned. I think that will be the last piece of Sony gear I ever purchase. There've been lots of posts regarding what make of headphones folks like & use - and why... so I guess there's no 'maintenance' issue, if replacement pads are not readily available.
Ugh.

[Len911]

Speaking of replacing ear pads, I have an AKG k271, the plastic leather or pleather pads wore out, I wanted real leather, so I diy'd it.I went to the thrift store and found a pair of ladies leather boots that had the right softness in the leather, I cut the ear pads from the boots and sewed them on. It's been several years ago I did that, and no wear problems, and they are more comfortable.

[funsongs]

Speaking of replacing ear pads, I have an AKG k271, the plastic leather or pleather pads wore out, I wanted real leather, so I diy'd it.I went to the thrift store and found a pair of ladies leather boots that had the right softness in the leather, I cut the ear pads from the boots and sewed them on. It's been several years ago I did that, and no wear problems, and they are more comfortable.

Very clever, Len... don't let anyone EVER call you a Heel!!

[Casey H]

Never use a vacuum cleaner on anything electronic. The vacuum makes a lot of static electricity that can zap and damage electronics.

Dumb idea... The headphones are 10 years old. Technology gets better all the time. Why not buy a new pair?

Casey

[lesmac]

The headphones are 10 years old. Technology gets better all the time. Why not buy a new pair?

Personal preference I guess