How far $50 can get you in audio hobby if it’s spent right? As some of you might have guessed, today we will be discussing the Koss KPH30i Grado Pads mod.
Koss KPH30i doesn’t need any special introduction. It’s an affordable, lightweight, and portable semi-open back pair of headphones. In addition it has surprisingly spacious sound stage.
For today’s mod we will need a pair of KPH30i that costs $30 and a pair of Grados G Cushions. Original G Cushions cost $55, which makes this mod unreasonably expensive. I advise you to get OEM G Cushions, just don’t get the cheapest one you can find online. The OEM ones in this video cost me $15.
I also need to mention that there are two types of this mod. The one that keeps the original KPH30i ear pads intact. For the second mod you also need to remove the original ear pads.
If you remove the original ear pads, you can’t put them back. So the right sequence is to install G Cushions first and listen to it. If you don’t like the end-result (particularly the treble response), then you can proceed further and remove the original ear pads too.
Before you start
Please note that this mod changes not only the comfort of the KPH30i, but it also introduces the changes to the sound.
To install G Cushions you need to cut it first and the cut should be limited in length. Just to make sure that cable fits in the cut-out. And please be careful and don’t cut the G Cushions all the way through.
As you can see in my video, I made a cut that is approximately 40 mm long. It goes only through the outer part to the bottom edge, leaving the inner ring and bottom edge of the ear pad intact. This is really important so please pay attention to it. As you can see, the cut is also angled to fit the headphone cable better.
If needed you can put G Cushion first, double check the angle, use a white marker to highlight the cut, then take off G Cushion and cut it. When you finish with the cuts, gently put the G Cushion on. Make sure the cable and the cutout are aligned, then gently pull the cable through the cutout. Then repeat the process for the other side.
G Cushions have turned KPH30i into one of the most comfortable headphones I ever had so I strongly recommend you to try this mod. And now let’s talk about changes in sound.
It’s obvious, G Cushions have an impact on the sound signature. First of all as there is a stock cutout in the middle of G Cushions, there is only original foam in between your ear and the driver as this cut almost completely corresponds with its size to the stock headphone driver. Also, because of the shape of G Cushions, the drivers are now located further away from your ears.
Koss KPH30i mod sound impressions
Unmodded KHP30i is quite a warm sounding pair of headphones and G Cushions in my opinion improve their tonal balance.
First of all you get more bass, yes you heard me right, you can actually feel the bass with G Cusions now. Second change is that the treble becomes more prominent and detailed. And the third charge is the increased sound stage width, which is partially or completely because of the G Cushion shape and size.
I hope this guide has been helpful and if you’d like to see more content like this, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for future updates. Thank you for reading, and happy listening!
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