[J]-ohn

If I'm not wrong, the TF10 doesn't fit the UM56.

I - ipod players like classic/touch/iphone C - Creative line out players like Vision-w/m M - RWA iMod 5.5, they have built-in caps in them. The Signature series are indeed an improvement over the SM-i, the soundstage of the SM-i is slightly smaller compared to the Signature series. Last heard Aron is working on a new cable... this time so transparent, you get to hear everything naked.

For me, I'm not so difficult to please and I have enjoyed piano music in both my speaker and headphone setup. They are revealing enough for me to hear the difference between acoustic and electric pianos but still struggling to tell the different brands. On my Stax omega, its is easier compared to my speaker setup maybe because of my room acoustic which I suspect colors the sound a tiny bit.

Can remember unit number but not the shop name, impressive...

Single sided headphones usually have poorer conductivity due to the fact that the headphone cable is soldered to one side of the driver, from this driver, the manufacturer would then add some kind of splitter circuit to link to another driver by means of a tiny wire usually in the headband. All this extra paths taken would therefore degrade the signal of the other driver.

$100++? Should be less than $200.

Iqube would be my choice.

I would try the Koss protapro with the ibasso T4 amp combo. Although the koss isn't a closed headphone, imo there isn't much headphone closed that would fit the bill and sound good for the genres of music you listen to. Koss protapro is portable, light weight and an extremely balanced sounding ( for the price) headphone that with a decent amp can prove to be a excellent entry level audiophile setup. Of course, you should try them first ( Stereo at causeway point is a nice place to try)and if you think you can live without an amp like the ultra thin and small ibasso T4, save that extra buck and spend it on CDs instead.

Well, most other cables should sound better than the stock cable, my Canare starquad sounded better than the stock on my HD600 too. Perhaps you should try to a/b with something else like Zu mobius or Cardas?

Bass too strong for you?

HD25 not very stylish looking though... please add the Audio technica ANC7 in your list. Its the better sounding noise canceling headphones out there, sound wise I will say its between the ES7 and ESW9 but comfort and isolation above them. To me the ES7 has 4 issues - Fingerprints, sound quality (subjective),comfort and isolation. Personally I will pick the ANC7 because they don't have the above issues plus + Free case + Airline plug provided + Noise canceling function which you can switch off if you don't want + Cheaper than ESW9 Just my 2cents

Err... what are you modding huh?

What did you use to drive the HD600? IQube?

MF X-can v3 with mullard tubes. Woa... what the "thing" in your avatar?

Alright, let's get back to the topic. I got a set for myself, yes I have the ed9 but it's different and sound wise, they sound different. ED9 is warm, rich and creamy (if you guys know what I'm talking about) while the HFI780 mod has a lot of clarity and bass is deep and tight. To share a bit more, the brand new HFI780 mod sounds a bit bassy but after a couple hours of burn-in, they will improve and you know they wouldn't take too long to sound good. I like it for the fact they are easy to drive and I will recommend for starters since good amplifiers can be quite expensive.

Got myself a ESW10 to replace my ESW9, and I must say the ESW10 is an upgrade to the ESW9 even before burn-in. Out from the box, the ESW10 sounded tighter in the bass section and seem to produce a slightly warmer lusher tone on the vocals. Not much changes in the soundstage at this moment but that might change after a week of burn-in. Although I can't say the two (WES10 and ESW9) is a day and night difference but the little bits and pieces here and there proves to make the ESW10 a much more musical sounding headphone to listen to. I would also recommend those who got the ESW10 to get a AT-HPP5 case to protect this headphone. On the side note, I had to queue to pay for the ESW10, because Stereo called everyone at the same time and everyone came at the same timing 7-8pm, one of them even got 2 sets! Talk about bad economy and recession...

I believe its available since earlier this year (or last year) but has since quiet down and almost unheard of now.

Its a different breed altogether, the esw10 is cool looking and decent sounding for the size but the hfi-780 Aron mod is much better sounding IMO.

Klipsch image is not bad... but wires feel rather weak.

Aron, maybe you can mod a Grado next, my RS1 have been collecting dust for a while...

You know the last time I bought the ED9, I told my wife $200.... later she went Hung bros to check , later that night.... until I.... Have you heard it? If yes, how did you find it?

For someone like me who already own a ED9 from Ultrasone, I must say Aron did a great job on the much much smaller brother the HFI-780. The original version was full of treble and bass, mids was horribly recessed although a very comfortable and well-built headphone. I very much want to to do an " as fair as possible" AB but 5mins was how long my ears could endure the original version, the treble and bass was striking my ears like no tomorrow. The modded HFI-780 heals my ears immediately after I put them on, metallic treble disappears but sparking clear, mids warm and smooth, bass tight and well extended. Listening for about 30mins at Stereo, the headphone gave me no ear fatigue nor reasons for a toilet break ( although I was feeling high tide) except the usual heat from a pair of closed can. No, I didn't buy it. Need to sell off some cans to buy new one says my wife.

The KCS75 could still be improved with a couple of diy mods but too lazy to find them... lol Anyone has the links?

Aron has all the T1, 2 and 3. The T1 I tried is black with clear cables.