OK guys, here is a pic of the functional prototype.
The kit is based upon the Monoprice 8323, aka Kicker HP541. Some parts of these amazing bang for the buck cans (headband, yokes) appear to be shared with various Ultrasone models.
We have modified the cups with two different materials for acoustical damping (possibly the most important mod sonically), changed the earpads (the stock ones are really terrible), changed the headband pad (also terrible, really uncomfortable) and added some vinyl skins to the closed cups that help to more easily identify Left and Right.
The cable is from Mogami, sleeved with black Tech Flex with a gold stripe. The plugs are a combo of Neutrik and Switchcraft. The cable has a load built into it that makes the cans work well with Crack (and specifically with Crack - that is the entire point of the exercise).
Answers to questions:
These do sound different than stock 8323s
The bass is punchy and tight. It is quite different than the rather boomy bass of the stock cans.
The midrange is clean but not forward or overly "tubey".
The top end is clean and smooth and much more extended than the stock cans with the stock "audiophile" cable.
There is plenty of adjustment range on the Crack volume control, no hair trigger. This is due to the load adjustment in the cable.
Yes the Crack amp will clip if driven really hard into these cans. $1500 300 ohm Sennheisers will work better than these cans in terms of power handling and amp loading. 40 ohms cans of any type probably won't.
We won't sell the kit without the headphones.
We don't know if these headphones will work with any other amp. We designed the kit specifically for use with the Crack amp.
Price will be $149 plus shipping.
We should be ready to take pre-orders soon. The manual has not been written yet, so it may take a couple of weeks to ship the first kits after we start to take orders.
Everyone is welcome to come by the office and hear the prototypes. Please give us a call at 206-451-4275 so we can have everything ready when you arrive.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2014, 03:11:54 PM by Doc B. »
Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.
