Superlux HD681-EVO an Evolved HD681 ?

The Superlux HD681-EVO is put on the market as an 'upgraded version' o the still availa!le HD681 "red trimming version#$
Superlux makes the ollo%ing statement a!out the HD681-EVO&
The best-selling model HD681 is a high quality headset with rich bass,
crystal clear high resolution and accurate sound field positioning. ow
the new HD681 !"# upgraded $ersion has a completely new, more
slender shape and an impro$ed smoother, more neutral, treble tone.
The HD681 !"# easily meets the requirements of stage and studio
professionals for a high-quality sound in monitoring headphones.
The HD681-EVO is in 'O %a( reminis)ent o the 'original' HD681
version"s#$ The looks are dierent* the )ups are dierent* the pads are
dierent* the head!and is dierent* the )a!le is dierent* the sound is
dierent *the pri)e is dierent and the driver is dierent$
+n sto)k orm the HD681-EVO is a ver( 'dark' sounding headphone*
overl( '%arm' %ith 'at' !ass !ut indeed doesn't have pier)ing highs
that )hara)teri,es the HD681 series$ + think in sto)k orm it ma( !e
popular %ith (oung people that listen to a lot o ele)troni) musi)$ - e%
se)onds o listening %as all it took to realise this is 'OT an HD681
that has EVO-lved or 'improved' to MY ears and it doesn't have mu)h
o the soni) .ualities the original HD681 has "ex)ept or having lots o
!ass#$ /ersonall( + %ould have given it a )ompletel( dierent t(pe-
num!er simpl( !e)ause it +S a )ompletel( dierent headphone in -00 aspe)ts$
There are some similarities though and that is$$ the )a!le is also mi)rophoni) "!ut this )a!le is deta)ha!le like that o the HD6681# and the
pads are still a !it 'sti)k(' and 's%eat(' ater a %hile* the( are also made o vin(l "thi)k pleather#$ -dmittedl( the pads are not exa)tl( the
same$ The EVO pads are !etter looking "stit)hing and mounting method diers# and are also a !it 'soter' to the tou)h and slightl( thi)ker$
The head!and has a thin la(er o ru!!er on the underside %ith 'air illed
)ushions' and is a !it more riendl( to olli)all( )hallenged heads "like
mine# than the plasti) ones on the HD681-series$ The shin( sura)e
ortunatel( is not a ingerprint magnet !ut s)rat)hes %ill !e .uite visi!le$
'ot the greatest asset %hen vie%ing it rom proessional usage
standpoint %here headphones usuall( aren't treated gentl( to sa( the
least$ 0ooks-%ise it seems to !e targeted at mo!ile (ounger people or
the )lassier looking Hi-2i market though$
Stevie 3onder and 4e Heale( might a)tuall( like the HD681-EVO as it
has 1raille markings on it* indi)ating the letter 0 and 5$
/eople %ith good e(esight have to
re)ognise 0 and 5 !( a ver( small and
hardl( visi!le small '5' in a
!ro%nish6red )ir)le on the inside 7ust
!elo% the small head!and s)re%$
The )a!le )on)ept is similar to that o the also %ell kno%n and liked HD6681$ +n other %ords a ver( short
pie)e o )a!le is dangling out o the let )up$ +t is a single entr( headphone )a!le and 7ust like %ith the
most other Superlux headphones the t%o metal rods that are part o the head!and )onstru)tion are the
')onne)ting %ires' to the other driver$ The HD681-EVO )omes %ith 8 %ires o dierent lengths %hi)h )an also !e )onne)ted in series
making an even longer %ire$ - !onus o this )onstru)tion is that %hen or some reason the )a!le is pulled upon it simpl( dis)onne)ts
instead o ripping the %hole headphone o (our head or !reaking a )a!le or expensive e.uipment$ /urists* ho%ever* %ill ro%n a!out these
extra )onne)tions as %ell as the EVO not !eing dual entr(* + have no su)h reservations and eel re-)a!ling is onl( needed i (ou %ant
dierent lengths or a more supple or less mi)rophoni) )a!le* not ever(one %ill agree %ith me there though$
The !ig .uestion is i this headphone is %orth the pri)e$$$$$ %ell that depends$ + (ou are looking or a headphone that sounds neutral and
doesn't need an( modii)ations + %ould suggest the HD6681* + (ou %ant a more 'un' headphone %ith a modern look perhaps the HD661
"although a !it shrill at times# $ + (ou aren't araid o hot tre!le the HD681 and HD681-1 )ould make a !etter )hoi)e$ Onl( %hen (ou hate
hot tre!le and love ex)essive %armth and pronoun)ed !ass "as in opposed to 'tight' )lean !ass# the EVO is a good )hoi)e$
O )ourse* those reading this arti)le %ill pro!a!l( like to kno% +2 this
headphone )an !e made to sound a lot more neutral$ The good ne%s is$$$$
(es$$$ it )an !e made into an ex)ellent sounding headphone %ith some
eort$ 3ith some extra unds spent on it* the modiied HD681-EVO %ill
give more expensive headphones a good run or their mone($
Superlux headphones are ex)ellent value or mone( an(%a( and )an
easil( )ompete %ith 9:;H more expensive headphones$ Those that like
to read a!out the HD661 as %ell as the HD681 and it's modii)ations )an
do so in the arti)le 'HD681.... revisited' and 'Superlux HD-661'$
These arti)les )an !e ound here&
http&66di(audioheaven$%ordpress$)om6s)hemati)s6headphone6
On the right* a revamped HD681$ +t has aluminium trimming instead o red
plasti) ones* -<= <8>? velour pads* a leather head!and* a ilter itted
inside and a more supple* and a!ove all* less mi)rophoni) )a!le$
1
Some observations and measurements and analysis
- lot has !een said a!out the issue o '!urn in'$ -ll + )an sa( a!out it is@
having modiied man( HD681 + have ound that some o them sho%ed
poor !ass response right out o the !ox that improved in the irst e%
minutes and in one )ase even took an hour$ + also ound not all HD681
had a similar amount o !ass$ This is not !a)ked up %ith hard a)ts
"plots# !ut determined su!7e)tivel( !( means o )omparing !et%een m(
o%n "modiied# HD681 and another modiied version$ The irst test to see
i large dieren)es o))ur in the irst e% hours is !( measuring the
headphone dire)tl( out o the !ox "magenta tra)e# leaving it un tou)hed
on the measurement rig$ '1urn it in' %ith 0O:D !ass heav( musi) or
A hours and dire)tl( ater that measure it again "tur.uoise tra)e# to see i
there are note%orth( )hanges that %ould make me think %ould !e .uite
audi!le$ + %ould see a tin( dieren)e "max ?$>d1# in the lo%est re.uen)(
range !ut don't think %ould !e ')learl(' audi!le$ 3aterall plots sho% no
)hange as %ell and thus aren't sho%n$
The dieren)es !et%een sto! HD681 "red trimming# and sto! HD681-EVO are sho%n !elo%$
=reen tra)e B HD681 "red trimming#
5ed tra)e B HD681-EVO "%ith the "elt removed#
2rom 1?H, to 1kH, the( !ehave ver( similar* that part )ould !e the
'HD681' in the t(pe num!er HD681-EVO$ -!ove that point things start to
dier* + guess this is the 'EVO' part in HD681-EVO$
The pier)ing highs o the original HD681 are )learl( visi!le in the green
tra)e$ The( rea)h similar levels as the lo%s so the HD681 sounds !ass(
and "pier)ingl(# !right at the same time %ith su!dued mids$
The upper mids "rom 1kH, to >kH,# are a good Ad1 louder in the
original HD681 making it sound a 0OT ')learer'$ -!ove AkH, the highs o
the EVO are a good 1?d1 soter and less 'ragged'* a real improvement$
The lo%er mids and highs make the EVO sound 9:;H darker and less
'resh'$ The mids and highs ma( !e 'more !alan)ed' !ut the( are hugel(
'overpo%ered' !( the massive amount o lo%er mids and lo%s$
3hen )omparing the HD681-EVO %ithout elt and the HD681 one thing is ver( o!vious$ 3hile the HD681 driver looks the same "%hen the
oam dis) is removed# the( )ertainl( do not measure nor sound the same or even remotel( similar$ +n some ora it is )laimed that %hen the
elt dis) )overing the EVO driver has !een removed the headphone sounds a 0OT !righter and is "almost# indistinguisha!le rom the
original HD-681* there!( suggesting the drivers are pro!a!l( the same$ Either 8 'versions' exist or .ualit( )ontrol is !ad i this %ere true$
'ext measurement$$$ #$at does t$e "elt doC 1lue tra)e B elt removed* green tra)e sto)k "elt on driver#$
-s expe)ted the elt does ae)t the highs !ut not nearl( enough as
some people )laim it does$
2rom 6kH, up%ards %e )an see some inluen)e and around 1?kH, the
elt seems to dampen the highs !( a good 8-Dd1$ -!ove 1?kH, the
dieren)e is %ell over Ad1$
+ndeed the removal o the elt makes the HD681-EVO sound a !it
')learer' and a lot 'airier' !ut the area !et%een 1kH, and AkH, is still a
good Ad1 lo%er than the original HD681 and unae)ted !( the elt$ -s
seen in the plot a!ove the highs o the original HD681 are a good 1?d1
louder %hile the elt removal onl( (ields an in)rease o 8-D d1 in the
same area$ =ranted that E1?d1 o the HD681 is argua!l( 3-F too
mu)h and makes it sound si!ilant or harsh$ 1ased on measurements
%e )an )on)lude* that %hen the elt has !een removed some o the
highs are )learer and it sounds !etter %ithout the elt to most people$
3e )an also )on)lude that the drivers themselves do 'OT seem to !e the S-9E given the a)t that under the same )ir)umstan)es "no elt
over the driver !ut oam dis)s in pla)e# the HD681 and HD681-EVO measure very dierent rom 1kH, up%ards$
9ost people %ith experien)e in modi(ing headphones %ill !e ver( mu)h a%are o the a)t that pads that ma( look the same ma( sound
ver( dierent* the DTGG? H DTII? pads are a good example$ This raises the next .uestion$ -re those dieren)es in the 1kH, to 8?kH,
region )aused !( the dierent pads !e)ause the( do dier in material and depth "or height depending on ho% (ou look at this# C
1lue tra)e B EVO pads ""elt removed#
orange tra)e B HD681 pads ""elt removed#
-s expe)ted there are some dieren)es !ut not in the 1kH, to AkH,
region* some dieren)es are seen a!ove 1?kH, !ut )ould also partl( !e
a measurement artea)t !e)ause o slightl( dierent positioning$ 3hat
diers mostl( is the lo%s$
+t seems the HD681 pads a!sor! some o the energ( !et%een 1?h, and
A??H, resulting in slightl( "8-Dd1# less !ass$ So a slightl( less 'dark
sound %ith HD681 pads$ The EVO pads thus seem to )ontri!ute a !it to
the massive !ass and '%armth' signature as %ell$ The sharp dip at >kH,
"rea)hing -8?d1# did not )hange %hi)h also seems to )onirm the idea
that the drivers indeed DO dier$ The su!stantial measura!le dieren-
)es !et%een the t%o models do not seem to !e )aused !( the pads nor
the elt and appear to !e mainl( a driver issue$
8
%ads& '$at an t$ey do ?
/ersonall( + don't reall( )are mu)h or pleather pads$ The( tend to lake as time goes !( and the( are used intensivel( or 'harden'$ -lso
the( eel .uite hot on (our ears and !e)ome .uite s%eat( ater a %hile$ Velour pads have a ni)er eel so it stands to reason to ind out %hat
other pads )an !e used and ho% the( inluen)e perorman)e$ -s the diameter o the HD681 and HD681-EVO )ups is the same the most
o!vious )hoi)e is to use the -<=-<8>? velour pads as the( do not seem to alter the sound a great deal* it pere)tl( and are %a( more
)omorta!le$ -lso Shure S5H-I>? pads have almost the same diameter and )an 7ust it on there$ 3hile pla(ing %ith dierent pads also the
pleather version "S5H-8>?# %as tried$ -s these pads %ere on)e !ought or modi(ing 2ostex TA?5/ headphones* + also had some original
2ostex pads at m( disposal %hi)h also it* al!eit a !it 'tightl('$
1elo% the results o these experiments* !lue tra)e B original HD681-EVO pad* red tra)e is other pad$
-!ove& red tra)e B -<= ()*+ velours pads$ -!ove& red tra)e B Shure S,H--*+ .velours/ pads$
The <8>? pads add 8d1 !et%een 1??H, and 8kH, and the The S5HI>? pads do something similar as the HD681 pads$
tre!le is )onsidera!le less '7agged' and !etter extended$ 1ass is lo%ered !( 8d1 and 1kH, to DkH, region is raised !(
8d1$ Highs are less '7agged' and also slightl( higher in amplitude$
Overall the '%armth' is redu)ed !( a!out >d1 and indeed the EVO
sounds !etter !ut still .uite %arm and !ass($ +nterestingl( enough
the >kH, dip is smaller$ The S5HI>? pads are oval pads and are
a)tuall( a !it smaller !ut )an !e itted$ 2or some people onl(
)hanging the pads to S5H-I>? ones ma( all !e that is needed J
-!ove& red tra)e B Shure S,H-8*+ pleat$er pads$ -!ove& red tra)e B 2ostex 01+,% pleat$er pads$
1ass levels are a!out the same !ut the mids and highs are 1e)ause these pads are 9:;H thinner as the original pads
raised a!out >d1 ee)tivel( )reating a similar ee)t as the the drivers are mu)h )loser to the ear* there!( in)reasing the
S5H-I>? pads do !ut in a dierent %a($ Some%hat more mids in amplitude$ There is still a irm !ass !ut the slope !et%een
'7agged' and %ith more ')larit(' )ompared to the sto)k EVO pads$ 1??H, and >kH, is mu)h less and thus sounds mu)h less %arm$ $
Overall the '%armth' is also redu)ed !( a!out >d1$ The in)rease o mids !( a good Ad1 is more than a su!tle )hange
The( are more V-shaped like the HD681 %hi)h makes it a more 'un' and makes it 9:;H !etter sounding$ -dd the a)t that rom 1kH,
sounding headphone %hen these pads are used$ The 'su)ked out' to 8?kH, the levels are .uite 'lat' makes a %orld o dieren)e$
mids still don't make it into a realisti) sounding hi-i headphone$ + (ou do not like to do an( modii)ations that re.uire opening the
The >kH, dip is also smaller* 7ust like %ith using the S5H-I>? pads$ Headphone or tinkering %ith ele)troni) )omponents and are not
9a(!e using these pads is all it takes or some people !othered !( thin pleather pads this %ill !e the easiest modii)ation
that makes the HD681-EVO into a mu)h !etter sounding
headphone %ith the smallest amount o eort$
+ (ou ind the HD681-EVO %a( to !ass( and la)king )larit( and mids* all it takes ma( !e to remove the original pads* pull o the elt "onl(
glued around the edges# and it the "oval# TA?5/ pads$
- little !it o sear)hing on the %e! %ill (ield a e% addresses %here these pads )an !e pur)hased$ +n the 2ostex TA?5/ modii)ation s)ene
some people might !e a!le to suppl( (ou %ith a pair o those pads as %ell$
D
Driver properties
So ar %e have !een looking at one driver onl( to make )omparisons and see %hat )hanged !ut headphones have 8 drivers and the( have
to 'mat)h'$ 1oth sides have to pla( e.uall( loud at ea)h re.uen)($ Even %ith more expensive headphones there )an !e )onsidera!le
dieren)es !et%een !oth drivers that ma( rea)h several d1's$
On the let the 25 plot o the let and right driver o a sto)k
HD681-EVO "so %ith elt over the driver# in one plot$
1lue tra)e is 2e"t driver* 5ed tra)e is ,i3$t driver$
-s this %asn't a revie% sample that )ould have !een sele)ted to
perorm !est !ut %as !ought in a store %e )an assume this is a
representative sample o %hat has !een put on the market$
Driver mat)hing seems ex)ellent$ The dieren)es a!ove 1?kH,
should not %eigh too heav( as the( )ould ver( %ell !e )aused !(
slightl( dierent positions on the test rig as %ell$
Some headphones have %ildl( var(ing impedan)es indi)ating
resonan)es$ 3hen the impedan)e rises a a)tor t%o or more and
the headphone is driven rom an ampliier that has a high output
resistan)e these headphones )an sound a lot dierent$ This is
explained in the arti)le 'resistance, impedance and other issues% ound on& http&66di(audioheaven$%ordpress$)om6tutorials6arti)les6$ 3e )an
measure the impedan)e !ut %ould have to )al)ulate the ee)t it has on the sound$ +t is thus easier to measure the ee)t dierent output
resistan)es have on the HD681-EVO rom an ampliier "/ro7e)t Em!er# in 8 settings "?$1 and 18?#$
1lue tra)e B ?$1 output 5, greenish tra)e B 18? output 5
+t seems there is ver( little inluen)e in the re.uen)( response
aside rom the 1Dd1 drop in S/0 %hi)h %as )ompensated or$
The plot %as )ompensated in amplitude so it is easier to see
%hat happens in the re.uen)( domain$ -t the point %here the 8
lines deviate there is some inluen)e and this generall( points to
resonan)es$ 2or the higher re.uen)ies the deviation is not
)aused !( resonan)es !ut rather !( a rising impedan)e )aused
!( the indu)tan)e o the voi)e )oil$
The deviation at the main resonan)e point "around A?H,# is onl(
!oosted a!out ?$Ad1 indi)ating the impedan)e has not risen
mu)h at that point$ 3e )an also see a VE5F small deviation
around 8??H,* DkH, and AkH, indi)ating resonan)es$ -!ove
1?kH, the indu)tan)e o the voi)e-)oil makes the impedan)e rise
and thus starts to deviate$ The original HD681 sho%s similar
!ehaviour regarding a )hange in 25$ The drop in overall S/0*
ho%ever* )an easil( invoke the eeling the sound )hanges
)onsidera!l( %hile in realit( the real )hange isn't that !ig$
O )ourse re.uen)( range !ehaviour doesn't tell the %hole stor( and the most eared*and on 18? )onsidered 'ruined'* damping a)tor
might sho% itsel more in ;SD "%aterall# plots as these plots sho% ho% the sound de)a(s over time %hen the sound is suddenl( muted$
-!ove ?$1 ampliier %aterall plot 1ms6div A??H, to 8kH, -!ove 18? ampliier %aterall plot 1ms6div A??H, to 8kH,
1elo% ?$1 ampliier %aterall plot 1?ms6div 8?H, to 8kH, 1elo% 18? ampliier %aterall plot 1?ms6div 8?H, to 8kH,
-s )an !e seen the HD681-EVO does not !ehave ver( dierent on vastl( dierent output resistan)es$ This +S a ver( good thing !e)ause
the ele)troni) ilter that is going to !e dis)ussed on page 6 uses resistors in this range$
>
4oam5 'ool5 "elt and pad t'ea!s
9ost people that have un or take pride in modi(ing headphones pla( around %ith elt* oam* !itumen* %ool* glass6ro)k %ool* )otton or
other damping materials$ +t is* ho%ever* .uite dii)ult to determine "and a!ove all reprodu)e# the same ee)t %hen these mods are
perormed !( others as dierent densities o materials )an have a prooundl( dierent ee)t$ 3hile it is possi!le to do some t%eaks !( ear
%hat one reall( needs is a %a( to measure %hat is !eing done$ -lso it is ver( hard to )ompare a !eore and ater mod )omparison as more
than 7ust a ph(si)al )hange has o))urred in the passed time rame and auditive memor( isn't %hat + %ould )all a relia!le thing$
The ee)t o the Dmm thi)k and dense elt dis) that is glued in ront o
the driver has !een dis)ussed on page 8 !ut as a reminder it is sho%n
on the let$
1lue tra)e B elt dis) removed$
=reen tra)e B elt dis) in pla)e "sto! ondition#
The elt dis) starts to %ork a!ove AkH, and ilters more the higher the
re.uen)( is$
3hen a headphone is )onsidered to sound ver( 'detailed' %e oten see a
rise in the AkH, to 1?kH, region$ +n a lot o )ases %e also see a drop-o
a!ove 1?kH, ater su)h a peak$
This is onl( per)eived as sounding 'detailed' !ut is a ake orm o it
'detail'$ Onl( %hen the range rom AkH, to 18kH, runs reasona!l(
'smooth' and isn't raised %e )an hear true details$ This isn't something
that all headphones do %ell* in a)t most roll o !eore 18kH,$
The elt apparentl( also removes a lot o 'energ(' a!ove 1?kH, %hile the driver itsel still produ)es this$ 5emoving the elt thus not onl( lits
the highs "a!ove AkH,# !ut also extends the re.uen)( range$ -!ove 1?kH, %e get in the area that deines the 'air' around instruments and
gives that realisti) 'shimmer' to )ertain instruments$ Headphones that are %ell extended and do not sho% a ver( 'ragged' top end in their
re.uen)( plot usuall( sound ver( detailed and air(* %hile headphones that drop o a!ove 1?kH, ma( still sound detailed "espe)iall( %hen
the A-1?kH, region is raised a !it# !ut la)ks 'air'$ 5emoving the elt %ill (ield more "ake# details !ut also !rings orth the 'air' it la)ked$
So ar the ee)t o the elt$ Ho%ever* in ront o that elt there also is a
oam dis) %ith )loth on it$ O )ourse this too has an ee)t !ut not as
dramati) as that material is a lot thinner and less dense$
On the let it a plot that sho%s %hat the oam dis) exa)tl( does$
5ed tra)e B 'it$out "oam dis)*
=reen tra)e B 'it$ "oam dis)$
+t onl( seems to inluen)e the area !et%een 6kH, and 18kH, and !( 7ust
a e% d1$ +n order to get the ')riti)al' area !et%een AkH, and 1?kH, a !it
lo%er the oam should thus not !e removed* other%ise some shrillness
or si!ilan)e ma( !e the result$
The plot on the let is %ith the elt removed and an ele)troni) ilter is
used$ + )an thus highl( re)ommend to leave the oam dis) in pla)e$
2or those that like to !ut damping materials like %ool or )otton et)$ +n
)ups to address !ass issues the plot on the let sho%s the ee)t o
added %ool in the ')ham!er' dire)tl( !ehind the driver$ +n this )ase real
sheep %ool %as used and the densit( %as rather high so a !it )rammed
in there$ 1lue tra)e B 'it$out %ool* magenta tra)e B 'it$ %ool
The ee)t is not su!tle and the lo%est re.uen)ies are ae)ted most$
-!out -Ad1 around >?H, dropping to 8d1 near 1??H,$
-!ove 8??H, the ee)t is as good as gone$
The dieren)es seen in the highs are not )aused !( the %ool !ut !(
slightl( dierent positioning o the headphone %hi)h oten )auses small
)hanges in that re.uen)( area$
The measurements on the let are made %ith an ele)troni) ilter and
Shure S5H-I>? velours pads$
-dding %ool !ehind the driver does not ae)t the entire area that needs
to !e addressed "8?H, to 1kH,# so )annot !e used to o!tain a 'lat'
re.uen)( response !( itsel %ithout using the ele)troni) ilter$ +t )an !e
used to remove the small peak around A?H,$ /ersonall( + don't mind that small peak as >?H, is 'su!%ooer' territor( and mu)h lo%er than
a)tual !ass notes* so adds some 'un' in the headphone$ Slight damping is advisa!le and have applied some in this version$
/ads have !een dis)ussed on page D alread( and sho%s that the sto)k pads exhi!it more '7agged' !ehaviour in the* rather )riti)al* area
!et%een AkH, and 8?kH,$ 1e)ause o this velours pads "!oth -<= <8>? and Shure S5H-I>? pads# sho% a %orth( in)rease in sound
.ualit( regarding the highs$ Extension* smoothness and detail retrieval have improved noti)ea!l($
1elo%& red tra)e B <8>? pad* !lue tra)e B sto)k pad 1elo%& red tra)e B S5H-I>? pad* !lue tra)e B sto)k pad
A
0$e eletroni "ilter666 a tunable solution6
Even though the TA?5/ pad modii)ation is simple and ee)tive in )reating a 9:;H !etter sounding headphone it also has a e%
do%nsides$ These pads are a!out 8 times thinner than the original pads %hi)h means someone %ith more protruding or sensitive pinnae
ma( experien)e some dis)omort %hen the ears tou)h the driver en)losure$ -nother do%nside "to me# is the( are pleather pads and thus
also get s%eat( and 'sti)k(' on %armer da(s$ 9( preeren)e lies in thi)ker velour pads$ The most o!vious )hoi)e %ould !e the -<= <8>?
pads as the( have the same diameter and are )omorta!le$ The( also do not alter the sound too mu)h )ompared to the original pads and
thus an ele)troni) ilter %ill have the same ee)t %ith !oth the original pads -'D the <8>? velour pads$
-nother option is to use Shure S5H-I>? pads 1:T these have less !ass )ompared to the original pads$ 3hen these pads are used the
ilter should !e altered a))ordingl($ This also means that %hen a ilter or the S5H-I>? pads is itted and the original pads are used (ou %ill
!e experien)ing a!out Dd1 more lo%s* as i (ou turned up the '!ass' )ontrol a e% not)hes on an old ashioned ampliier$
The next .uestion %ould !e to ask (oursel i (ou %ant 'reeren)e grade' lo%s* in other %ords a))urate !ass !ut onl( a))urate at higher
listening levels* or a more 'un' t(pe o !ass$ One has to realise that pere)tl( lat reprodu)tion ma( sound dull and !oring %ith lots o
)ommer)ial musi) as that is intended to !e pla(ed on speakers or '%arm' headphones$ 3ell re)orded musi)* ho%ever* %ill sound ver(
good on a 'lat' headphone$ 3hen (ou %ant more 'speaker alike' sound reprodu)tion the 8?H, region should !e a!out E>d1 )ompared to
1kH, so !asi)all( !e a !it tilted do%n%ards to 1kH, $ 2rom 1kH, on%ards 'lat' is )onsidered !( most to give a detailed sound$ Those that
like a ver( mello% sound %ill most likel( preer slo%l( do%n%ards sloping highs that have dropped a!out 8 d1 around 16kH,$
2or this reason it %ould !e ni)e i the ilter )ould !e ad7usted to have dierent !ass responses$ +t %ould also !e ni)e i the highs )an !e
ad7usted independentl( as %ell to suit (our taste$ 2ortunatel( the HD681-EVO isn't responding in a !ad %a( to resistors !eing added in
series %ith the driver and this opens up possi!ilities$ -nother ver( ortunate )ir)umstan)e is the a)t that rom 1??H, to 1kH, the )urve is
sloping do%n%ards in a 'linear' %a($ This is a 0OT easier to )ompensate as %hen this slope %asn't as gradual$
1e)ause o these assets o the HD681-EVO a simple (et ver( versatile ilter )an !e )onstru)ted %ith 7ust > )omponents$
The s)hemati) is ver( simple and !asi)all( )onsists o 8 separate
se)tions$ 51 and ;1 orm the lo% ilter se)tion$ 58 and 01 orm the high
ilter se)tion$ The )apa)itor has a value o 1?2 and must !e o the non-
polar "or bi-polar# t(pe$ 2ilm t(pe )apa)itors %ill !e rather !ig in si,e !ut
(ou )an also use !i-polar ele)trol(ti) t(pes$ - minimum voltage rating o
8AV should !e used$ These t(pe o )apa)itors ma( !e dii)ult to o!tain$
There is* ho%ever* a tri)k so polar ele)trol(ti) )apa)itors )an !e used$
Tantalum )apa)itors )an 7O0 !e used this %a($ T%o polar )apa)itors* that
have to !e dou!le the value o the )apa)itor it repla)es* must !e
)onne)ted in anti-series$ This means )onne)t the H o !oth )apa)itors
together and the 8 'E' )onne)tions no% orm the !i-polar )apa)itor as
sho%n !elo%$
+n this )ase 8x 88268AV polar ele)trol(ti) )apa)itors %ill !e)ome an 11268AV !ipolar )apa)itor %hi)h is )lose enough to repla)e the
1?2$ O )ourse 8826DAV or 8826A?V )an also !e used$
51 and 58 )an !e small si,ed resistors* po%er rating )an !e an(thing !et%een ?$>3 K 13$
5esistor 51 determine ho% 9:;H lo%s are iltered$ The ee)t o a e%
dierent pra)ti)al values is sho%n on the let$
9agenta tra)e B ?
Fello% tra)e B 88
5ed tra)e B DD
1lue tra)e B 68
=reen tra)e B 1??
Fou )an sele)t the amount o '!ass' and '%armth' (ou %ill need$ This %ill
depend on the used pads$
2or <8>?6sto)k EVO pads 16 is optimal i (ou %ant a 'lat' sound$
2or <8>?6sto)k EVO pads 8- is optimal i (ou %ant a 'un' sound$
2or S5H-I>? pads *9 is optimal i (ou %ant a 'lat' sound$
2or S5H-I>? pads 88 is optimal i (ou %ant a 'un' sound$
The ilter se)tion that )ontrols the highs )onsists o 01 and 58$ The elt pads have to !e removed or this tri)k to %ork$ This %ill also extend
the higher re.uen)ies and make instruments sound more 'air('$
01 B 1mH* it's resistan)e should not !e higher than 8$A and must !e
a!le to handle 1A?m-$ 9ind the ph(si)al si,e %hen ordering as lo%
resistan)e t(pes )an !e huge in ph(si)al si,e$
1e)ause the highs don't need to !e lo%ered that mu)h smaller steps
)an !e made$ On the let the ee)t o a e% resistor values is sho%n$
1lue tra)e B ?
Fello% tra)e B 1?
Orange tra)e B 88
=reen tra)e B DD
Values a!ove DI %on't ae)t the ilter a)tion an( more$
2or those that don't like highs DD %ill do 7ust ine$
2or those that %ant a !it o extra 'sparkle' 1A to 88 might !e !etter$
6
pratial "ilter options
- pra)ti)al ilter )an !e made in an extension )ord$ This %ill give (ou the possi!ilit( to use 1?? potentiometers or 51 and A? or 58 in
)ase (ou %ant to tune it to (our liking in an eas( %a( %hile listening$ This is mu)h more )onvenient than dismantling again and again to
tinker %ith all sorts o damping materials that %ill not !e a!le to (ield similar results$ On)e satisied %ith the results (ou )an leave them in
there or repla)e them %ith ixed resistors o a value )losest to that o the potentiometer"s#$ The amount o parts is so lo% (ou )an 7ust
solder them together in l(ing leads st(le or mount them on a small pie)e o experimenter !oard$ 3hen su!stituting the resistors or
potentiometers (ou %ill have to )onne)t the middle pin and 1 o the outer pins$ The outer pin (ou pi)ked %ill determine i the resistan)e
goes up or do%n %hile turning )lo)k%ise$
2or those %ho like to tr( the ilter and are looking or parts !elo% some part-num!ers o the 1?2 !ipolar )apa)itors and 1mH indu)tors$
;1 B 'i)hi)on :V/1H1??9ED1TD* /anasoni) E;E-1H'1??: 6 E;E--1E'1??: or 9ulti)omp '/DAV1?69AL11
01 B 9urata 1D51?A;* 9ulti)omp 9;S;H8IA-1?8<: 6 9;12SGDD?-1?80:* 3Mrth Elektronik G>>G>D1?8* Ep)os 188>G6111?A91??
;1 )an !e repla)ed %ith 8x 88268AV "or higher voltage rating# in anti-series$ This means 8 o these polar )apa)itors are )onne)ted in
series %ith either the 8 minus pins o !oth )apa)itors tied together or the 8 plus pins tied together* this makes no dieren)e$
The indu)tor should not have a resistan)e a!ove 8$6 and must !e a!le to handle at least 1A?m-$ The( )ma( have )erami) )ores %hi)h
makes them smaller in si,e$ -lso S9D indu)tors )an !e used %hen the( )an handle at least 1A?m-$
5esistors )an !e metal ilm or )ar!on ilm as long as the( have a po%er rating !et%een ?$>3 and 13$ Higher po%er ratings )an !e used
!ut are mu)h !igger in si,e and is pointless as even the smaller ones do not get %arm$
On the let 8 separate ilter se)tions are sho%n$ The 1mH indu)tor "should sa( 1?A
or 1mH on it# %ith a resistor in parallel$ +n this )ase DI, %hi)h is the maximum
value$ Higher values %ill have no dierent ee)t$ 3hen (ou eel there still is too
mu)h tre!le either atta)h the Dmm elt dis) again or in)rease 01 to 1$AmH or even
8$8mH$ +n this )ase 58 ma( !e as high as 68$
On the right 8x88261??V polar )apa)itors in anti-series %ith the E pins )onne)ted
together* a 68 resistor itted$ 1?? is a!out the maximum and %ill lo%er the !ass
even more$ 88 is a!out the smallest resistor value that %ill lo%er the !ass o the
sto)k HD681-EVO !( onl( Dd1$ + reommend values !et%een 88 and 56.
,emoval o" t$e "elt dis
To gain a))ess to the elt dis) the pads have to !e removed$ This is ver( simple* gentl( pull
the pad out%ards so it )omes a%a( rom the )up$
- oam dis) %ill also drop out %hen the pads are removed$ The pads are eas( to pla)e !a)k
again* make sure the edges all in the narro% slot !et%een the !ale and )up$ 9ake sure the
oam dis) is repla)ed again %hen pla)ing other pads$
3hen ordering -<= <8>? pads the( also suppl( oam dis)s$
The dieren)es !et%een these oam dis)s %ill !e .uite small$ (et + re)ommend to use the
original oam dis)s$ +n )ase S5H-I>? pads are to !e used %hi)h have a )loth dust ilter
atta)hed to it also use the oam pads underneath that )loth dust ilter$ Shure S5H-I>? pads
are oval and smaller in diameter !ut )an still !e itted .uite se)ure$
:nderneath the pad and oam dis) (ou %ill ind a
driver )overed %ith a D mm thi)k dense kind o elt$
To remove this (ou simpl( have to gra! the elt at
its edge and pull it o$ +t is onl( glued around the
edge$ Some or)e or pr(ing the edge ma( !e
needed$ On the right a pi)ture o %hat (ou %ill end
up %ith on)e the elt has !een removed$

- ver( airl( amiliar sight to those %ho have seen the drivers rom man(
other Superlux headphones and o the Samson S58A? and /resonus
HDG$ The pi)ture on the right is o the Samson S58A? driver$
On the right the D dierent parts and their relative si,es$ The small elt dis) is the
one that %ill !e removed or this modii)ation$ O )ourse it )an al%a(s !e glued
!a)k in )ase (ou like %hat it did to the sound$ Some people preer rolled o tre!le*
others don't$
G
0a!in3 t$e EVO apart666 a 3reat 'ay to start
Ele)troni) ilter )omponents )an !e used outside the headphone "in an extension )ord# !ut another pla)e %here the( )an !e mounted is
inside the driver )ups$ +n that )ase the )omponents should !e as small as possi!le$ On the ollo%ing pages some step !( step pi)tures in
)ase (ou %ant to open the HD681-EVO to either re-)a!le* add some %ool !ehind the driver or install the ilter )omponents inside the )ups$
'ote& in the pi)tures the pads have !een removed* this is not a)tuall( needed to a))ess the rear o the driver$
5emove the s)re% 7ust !elo% the head!and$
The D s)re%s around the driver do 7O0 need to !e removed$
-ter the s)re% has !een removed the side panel )an !e pried o$
+t %on't )ome o eas( though* so (ou have to !end 6%iggle the side
panels a !it out%ards$ /ull it O'0F side%a(s near the head!and$
3hen it )ame loose slide the plasti) side panel a !it do%n%ards$
This is needed in order to ree the plasti) side panel as on the !ottom
side it is hooked$ O!serve ho% the side panel slides over 8 pins near
the )up$ The ')hrome' insert is loose and (ou need to remem!er ho%
it %as pla)ed and !e )areul %hen re-assem!ling this part later on$
5emem!er or ma!e a note on ho% the %ires have !een )onne)ted$
The thin !lue %ire "let )hannel B tip on the plug# is soldered to the red
%ire )oming out o the )up$ The shrink-tu!e surrounding the solder
)onne)tion needs to !e removed )areull($ Fou )an use a utilit( knie to
)ut the shrink-tu!e open$ The %hite %ire* )oming rom the )up* is
)onne)ted together %ith the )opper %ire ")ommon B !od( o the plug#
to one rod o the head!and$ The red %ire "5ight )hannel B ring on the
plug# is )onne)ted to the other rod$
De-solder all the %ires$
The rods )arr( the signal to the right )hannel driver* similar to ho% this is
done on the original HD681 as %ell as 9-'F other headphones$
/ersonall( + am not !othered !( this )onstru)tion and am o the opinion
su)h a )onstru)tion is 'OT detrimental to the sound in an( %a($
/urists ma( hold another !elie and might .uestion the '.ualit(' o the
)ondu)tors "rods# and ear extra solder 7oints are detrimental to the sound$
5emove the s)re% that holds the )up$
Fou %ill end up %ith the )up looking like the pi)ture on the right$
8
/ull o the part that %as )onne)ted to the
head!and$
9ake sure the %ires do not get )aught in its hole
%hile removing it$
'ote the paper ilter on the let$ +t ma( !e stu)k
inside the removed head!and part or ma( still lie on
top o the driver$
Do not orget to put it !a)k %hen reassem!ling the
headphone$ The ee)t it has on the sound has not
!een resear)hed !ut 7ust like damping material has
an inluen)e the paper %ill most likel( also have
some inluen)e on the !ass response$
- )lose-up o the )onne)tion !oard "/;1# o the driver$
The %hite and red %ires %ill have to !e removed$
O72Y solder the pads indi)ated !( the orange arro%s$
7EVE, tou)h "or solder# the pads in the !lue )ir)le* these are the pads %here the
extremel( thin %ires rom the driver itsel are )onne)ted to and these %ires are VE5F
ragile and easil( damaged J
:e"ore un-soldering these %ires )areull( 'lit' ea)h %ire rom the D plasti) pins in the
purple )ir)le$ The( are sort-o 'glued' %ith a kind o sti)k( material$ The %ires )an !e
pulled slo'ly and gentl($ 9ake S:5E (ou do 7O0 pull too hard or (ou %ill risk tearing o the pads rom the small )onne)tion /;1$
5epairing this %on't !e eas( so reall( take (our time* dose the amount o pulling or)e on these %ires and )losel( o!serve %hat's
happening$
On)e the %ires are ree "pi)ture on the let# !oth %ires )an !e un-soldered$ Do 'OT heat these pads
to long or use 1?? 3att soldering irons or soldering guns as the solderpads ma( )ome o rom the
/;1 material
9ake the t%o individual ilter se)tions as
in the example sho%n on the right$
- 1mH indu)tor "01# and DI resistor
"58# are soldered together$
The resistor si,e is S2516 "6$8 mm !od(
length#$
-s + did not have a 1?2 !ipolar )apa)itor ";1# at hand + made )reated !(
soldering 8 x 88261??V in anti-series "E o !oth )aps )onne)ted together and
!oth H legs are )onne)ted to a 68 S2516 si,ed resistor "51#$ 3hen using a
single 1?2 !ipolar )apa)itor simpl( solder 51 to its pins similar to ho% 01 is soldered to 58$ + reommend values !et%een 88 and 56
-s the 8 ilter se)tions are in series it doesn't reall( matter i the( are )onne)ted together and then tied to one )onne)tion o the driver O5
that ea)h se)tion is )onne)ted to either side o the driver's )onne)tion$ This tri)k )annot !e done in an extension )ord as in that )ord onl(
the signal %ires ma( have the )omplete ilter se)tion in series and the )ommon %ire must 'OT have parts in its path$
The small )onne)tion /;1 has a e% unused pads o %hi)h %e
are going to use the !iggest one "on the let in this pi)ture#$
Solder one side o the ;1651 to the unused pad and solder the
red %ire to that same point "in the red s.uare#$ This %ill ensure
the ilter )apa)itor is held irml( in pla)e$ The other part o the
ilter has to !e soldered onto the pad %here the red %ire %as
removed rom earlier$ This is the pad in the !lue )ir)le$
1e sure 7O0 to tou)h the pads next to the one in the !lue )ir)le
as this %ill almost )ertainl( destroy t$e driver J
The )apa)itors )an !e ixed to the magnet %ith some hot-meld
glue* sili)one kit or glue$
Solder the %ires .ui)kl($ Don't heat the pads or too long or the(
%ill deta)h themselves rom the /;1 material$
I
The +ndu)tor6resistor )om!ination "01*58# needs to !e
)onne)ted to the pad "in the tur.uoise )ir)le# %here the %hite
%ire %as removed rom$
Solder the %hite %ire to one end o the 01*58 ilter se)tion$
Solder the other part o that ilter se)tion onto the pad in sho%n
in the tur.uoise )ir)le$
Se)ure the indu)tor %ith some hot-meld glue or sili)one kit to
the side as ar a%a( as possi!le rom the driver's magnet$
5oute the red and %hite %ires through the
hole %ith the protruding rim on it$
+n )ase (ou %ant the lo%est part "8?H, to 1??H,# o the re.uen)(
range lo%ered a !it more (ou )an add some %ool in the driver
)ompartment$ The ee)t o this is dis)ussed on page A and as a
reminder sho%n !elo%$ The tur.uoise tra)e is %ith ver( densel(
pa)ked %ool* the !lue tra)e is %ithout an( %ool$
9ake sure to use the exat same amount o %ool on !oth drivers J
/la)e the paper ilter as sho%n on the let and )areull( align the )up holder "the holes
must !e aligned# and push it !a)k in pla)e$
9ount it on the head!and assem!l( and tighten the s)re%$
5esolder the %ires exa)tl( like the( %ere )onne)ted !eore$ +solate the !lue %ire* that
is )onne)ted to the red %ire rom the driver assem!l(* %ith some shrink tu!ing or
isolation tape$ Tu)k all the %iring ni)el( inside the !oundaries o the head!and part so
the plasti) panel )an )lose )orre)tl( and doesn't )at)h or mutilate an( o these %ires
%hile putting it !a)k together$
O!serve ho% the head!and tensioning me)hanism %orks and make sure ever(thing
slides reel( in its proper position and ever(thing aligns pere)tl($
9ake sure the plasti) side-panel )at)hes onto the hooks "highlighted in the pi)ture on
the right# o the driver assem!l( and pull it up%ards to%ards the head!and$ The )hrome
top plate "sho%n !elo% in red# has an indent and the side-panel must !e aligned so it
alls into a small slot in the side-panel$ /ress ever(thing together till it snaps shut$
9ount the small s)re% that holds the side-panel$
5epeat the pro)ess or the )up on the right side$ 9ake sure to
note the %ire orientation rom the driver assem!l( to the rods$
+ these %ires are a))identall( s%apped (ou %ill get a %eird u,,(
stereo image$
1?
0$e "inal result
-ll these modii)ations have one goal and that is to o!tain a mu)h 'latter' and a))urate re.uen)( response that is more true to the a)tual
re)ording$
3hen (ou are o the opinion the HD681-EVO sounds pere)t as is and (ou like the overl( %arm sound signature %ith huge !ass (ou need
not !other doing all these modii)ations* 7ust en7o( it as it is$ +* like me* (ou eel the headphone needs some improvements + )an highl(
re)ommend the des)ri!ed modii)ations$
+ (ou %ould onl( like the !ass to !e slightl( less than all (ou need is a lot o dampening %ool !ehind the driver or onl( the ;1651 se)tion
and use 1?2 %ith 88 or 51$ + (ou eel the highs are good as it is leave the elt in pla)e$ + (ou like to spi)e up the highs slightl( simpl(
remove the elt dis)$
Ho%ever i (ou %ant this headphone to !e)ome a ar more a))urate headphone and6or tune it to (our taste the )omplete ilter in an
extension )ord %ith the resistors repla)ed !( small linear potentiometers or trimmer potentiometers$ 3hen (ou have set it to (our
preeren)e (ou )an repla)e the potentiometers !( ixed value resistors and leave it in an extension )ord or mount it inside the )ups$
+ ound the values or 51 B 68* 58 B DI and 01 B 1mH to give the
'lattest' sound$ The headphone %ent rom 'dark' to 'a))urate'*
a total transormation o the sound$
2or a more 'un' headphone + re)ommend 51 B DD-A6* 58 B 1?-88
and 01 B 1mH
The sound also )hanges slightl( %ith dierent pads $
+ ound the Shure S5HI>? pads to !e the most )omorta!le and !est
sounding option* )losel( ollo%ed !( the -<= <8>? velour pads$
On the let* a plot o the iltered HD681-EVO %ith S5HI>? pads and
some dampening %ool in the rear o the driver "!lue tra)e# )ompared to
the sto)k "orange tra)e# version$
- plot o !oth )hannels o the end result "ilter* S5HI>? pads and some
%ool#$ Some ver( slight im!alan)e !et%een 0 and 5 drivers !elo% 8??H,
is visi!le !ut !elo% audi!le dete)tion$ This )ould !e 'tuned' a little !( either
var(ing the value o 51 or )hanging the amount o damping materials$ +n
this )ase the im!alan)e is )aused !( !oth drivers having some%hat
dierent amounts o %ool$
The sound o this headphone is ver( '!alan)ed' and ma( not !e liked !(
ever( one$ 2or this reason + re)ommend to pla( %ith ilter values in order
to ind the sound that suits (our taste$
-s %ith ever(thing in lie ea)h upside has a do%nside$ On page > it )an !e seen that dierent output resistan)es o ampliiers have little to
no ee)t on ho% this headphone sounds$ 3+TH the ilter* ho%ever* a dierent output resistan)e %ill have a pronoun)ed ee)t on the sound
as the ilter a)tion is "partl(# undone$
+n order to make the headphone perorm as in the re.uen)( plot a!ove the output resistan)e o the ampliier must !e lo% "NA )$
9ost modern ampliiers and porta!le e.uipment all in this output resistan)e range !( the %a($
2or those using ampliiers %ith dierent output resistan)e settings this dependen)( provides a un 'tuning' possi!ilit($
The higher the output resistan)e o the used ampliier the more V shaped the modiied HD681-EVO !e)omes$
The tur.uoise tra)e is taken %ith the output resistan)e o the ampliier "in
this )ase the 'pro7e)t Em!er'# in 18? setting$ The orange tra)e is taken in
?$1 setting$ The DA setting is not sho%n !ut alls exa)tl( !et%een these
8 tra)es$
This plot is made %ith the sto! pads$
3ith the ilter and dierent output resistan)e settings this headphone )an
!e made to sound either a))urate* a !it more un and to have a !ig* !ut not
over%helming* !ass !( a simple sele)tion o another output resistan)e$
2or those interested in the ampliier designs used "all %ith sele)ta!le output resistan)e# and the original HD681 as %ell as the HD661
modii)ations these )an !e ound in the links !elo%&
HD681* HD681-EVO and HD661 modii)ations& http&66di(audioheaven$%ordpress$)om6s)hemati)s6headphone6 "s)roll some%hat do%n#
/ro7e)t Sunrise-++* Hori,on* Starlight and Em!er ampliiers& http&66di(audioheaven$%ordpress$)om6s)hemati)s6ampliier6 "s)roll do%n a !it#
5emark* )omments* dis)ussions and more !a)kground inormation )an !e ound on this orum& http&66di(ah$!oards$net6 in the HD681-EVO
thread$ + )an !e )onta)ted on this orum as %ell in )ase it is needed$
Solderdude* Sept 8?1D
11