A good pair of closed headphones now.

[goraman]

Some time back I got a pair of Ultrasone Hfi 780's but found them a little harsh in the top end bass was some times a little to much.
I have done some experimenting and after trying a few things they really sound amazing.
Step one replace all cables with Canare cable. The original black cable was just to thin.
I tried some different ear pads , the stock ones made my ears sweat and where very thin . The replacements actually not only brought the bass under control but opened up the sound stage a whole lot.
There is a metal plate that directs sound to different parts of the ear, by adding a little adhesive black felt it has really sweetened the mids and any sibilance vanished.
I tried a couple different pads but the ones that do the trick come from old 90's Caliphone mono head sets I got in a charity shop for next to nothing.

The difference is night and day, Still not as sweet as my Q701's but they are more dynamic and offer more low end slam.

They are now both smooth and sweet to the ears where before they where a little edgy .

[goraman]

As you can see there has to be space between the pad and the plate that has well placed sound chambers ,this is how they get that 3D sound stage.

[willbewill]

I love Ultrasone headphones, I have a few pairs including the 780. 580 are my day to day go-to. But like you I change the pads my favourites are the Brainwavz.

What Canare cable did you use?

[goraman]

I used L-4E6S star quad .
Simply use the copper shield as ground twist the 2x white for L and 2X blue for R and now you have a 15 awg cable.
Each wire is 21 awg. 2x 21 or 0.72mm = 144mm 145mm is 15 awg. Close enough and you can make a 20ft. extension and it is like having no extension at all .
Try a piece of adhesive wool felt just above the main transducer port and see how nice the upper end sounds. It takes the edge off female vocals and violins ect.
The conductors in the factory cable are so thin I didn't bother to measure but one of the star quad at 21 awg. looked bigger!
This cable makes no noise,Microphinics free.

https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/a...uge-d_731.html

http://www.canare.com/ProductItemDis...oductItemID=53

[willbewill]

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Here's a link to the pads I used.

[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brainwavz-R...earpads&psc=1]