Re-Tune the HiFiMan Edition XS to sound more like the Arya organic with our new supergrills.

[@tommiranta8817]

I was also one of the beta testers and can warmly recommend getting this set for your Edition XS! While A/B testing this mod with only one pair of headphones is a bit difficult, I could hear an improvement in the treble area, wider soundstage and tighter bass. The changes are subtle, but there. Thanks to Custom Cans for continuously exploring how to make good headphones better and nicer to use. :)

[@CustomCans]

Thanks for the feedback, it really helps

[@Bushviking]

As one of the beta-testers I have been listening to my modded XS extensively. I really like it, and it's better than stock. The installation was a breeze (15 mins, 1 cup of coffee) :). Do recommend for XS owners!

[@CustomCans]

Thank for the feedback and glad you are enjoying it

[@CustomCans]

The recipients of the prototype grills have now been selected. Please see the video description :) - Sylvia

[@williams4057]

Since you already have the graphs. Would you be able to offer an EQ for the supergrills that replicates what the adhesive trim does? I'm sure a few people would be adverse to sticking something that would damage the pads, if it comes off.

[@zoobi27]

Second comment I am making from the previous one; I bought a new set of Edition XS headphones for a relative to be paired with a hifiman EF400, and the first thing I have done is comparing the two headphones (the comparizon being the older one I got with supergrills). I tried with the two connected on the same AMP, with the same EQ and HeSuVi settings and here is the result for me : With the supergrills : - More precise sound overall, and with more medium / treble. Quite enjoyable for opera or female voices (my test song is Pana Cand Nu Te Iubeam - Nicoleta Nuca) - Wider soundstage - and significantly larger, it's not huge, but when you compare back to the original XS, which is amazing, you really feel you're in a more contained "sphere". This is something I can't reproduce with EQ. 10/10 I think I have now to order a new set of supergrills and someday install it for my relative's new headphones hehehe ! I think everyone owning a pair of XS should have these !

[@marijndegezelle3819]

I'll take a test print for my XS! Thx from Belgium

[@CustomCans]

I will stick your name in the hat

[@RobertGerman]

Happy to beta test XS kit!

[@CustomCans]

Thanks for the offer but they have already gone through beta testing now

[@1985JBlack]

As one of the beta testers, I can highly recommend this mod. I just had to get used to the 12k peak because my adhesive tape no longer held after a few weeks. The Edition XS are really brilliantly open and detailed with the mod, which makes me reach for them more often and leave my Audeze LCD2-C in the shelf. Thanks Jason for the opportunity to be a tester.

[@CustomCans]

Thanks for the feedback - I will try to find a better solution for the pads soon

[@BucephalusHume]

just ordered your strap for the XS. hopefully it's good. if so might need to give these a try down the line. nice to have a company like yours in the UK. my other options were subpar looking straps on aliexpress or imports from america.

[@feedboy2112]

I would really like to have a test set of grills to try out. On a different note, I’m very happy with the leather headband I purchased from you. Makes the XS more comfortable and stable on my head.

[@CustomCans]

I will stick your name in the hat and glad to hear you like the head strap

[@l67swap1]

Gonna have to get a set of these for my edition xs , looks great 👍

[@CustomCans]

Thanks ;)

[@denisclifton5271]

The grills turned a pair of cans destined for e Bay into a regular listen. For me there was a big improvement all round. The perceived increase in bass gave more body and the small boost in treble gave it more spacial clues. The increase in sound stage resulted in better imaging and resolution. Just one question. There doesn't seem an online method to order the finishing rings. I would like to complete the job with the rings and the custom pads. How? the job with the rings and the custom pads.

[@CustomCans]

We sell them in a kit but if you pop us an email we can sell you a set for £5 + postage

[@pilezzero969]

I would love a test print, I have several things from you, like the 400se grills, and the HD6xx load and foam kit, and am very happy with everything I have bought

[@CustomCans]

I will stick your name in the hat

[@acvtre]

Yayy modding for the edition XS. I'm a happy owner of an edition XS. I don't mind getting happier if you want to send me one of the leftover grills. :D I already bought the strap. Hugely recommend it! The comfort is night and day. The headphone fits better so much better and it doesn't fall off as soon as I lean my head.

[@CustomCans]

I will stick your name in the hat

[@maddugqc6911]

How many time have you get the hifiman? I am scared about QC issue

[@Velocity3]

@@maddugqc6911 I had bought and RMA'd 2 edition Xs before the third came without an issue.

[@wwessex]

Would love to see you create mods for the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth

[@CustomCans]

They may be a little outside my price range at the moment but we may do something if we sell enough of the XS mods to pay for it ;)

[@kartsandcars61]

Would love to try a prototype set on my edition xs! Thanks!

[@CustomCans]

I will stick your name in the hat

[@alexanderfligel9077]

would love a test set. I own an edition xs

[@CustomCans]

I will stick your name in the hat

[@Hijynx87]

I'd like a test set for my xs if possible.

[@CustomCans]

I will stick your name in the hat

[@nicxclusive]

I'm interested in a test set. I would love to mod my Edition XS!

[@CustomCans]

I will stick your name in the hat

[@CustomCans]

Please email us with your name and delivery address [e-mail]

[@killthrash]

I'll take a test print for my XS! Thx!

[@CustomCans]

I will add you to the list

[@SpirallingOut]

You've made the Edition XS look better too, with that black grill. What's shipping to Australia like, from the UK? I know trying to buy other stuff from the UK is murder, with the shipping and import fees. I've tried to buy clothing and vinyl records before from eBay and had to give it a miss, but I'd love to try this.

[@CustomCans]

If you put your address in on our shop it will deduct UK VAT which will make it a little cheaper, We send quite a lot of stuff to australia and don't seem to get any reports of issues. According to the Australian border force website - electronics ( it should count as headphones ) under $1000 AUD should not have import charges www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/importing/cost-of-importing-goods/charges/import-processing-charge

[@SpirallingOut]

@@CustomCans Cheers, just ordered a set with outer trim. 👍

[@CustomCans]

@@SpirallingOut Thanks - I hope I am right about the import fees now .... Let us know if you get any issues

[@BucephalusHume]

If not too late, would love my name to be in the hat for one of the test grills!

[@Firebottleman]

Hey Jason. Any idea if these grills work on Ananda Stealth. I really like the looks. They look tough! Nice work! Thanks

[@CustomCans]

no they are not designed for the Ananda driver - we may make something in the future but we are booked up until april with work so won't be until next year some time if we do

[@DL-do5xr]

Hi, I am using a slight modified version of Oratory1990's Harman curve, as i did not like the stock sound, kinda feelt like I am in a barrell and vocals are somewhere in the back and the eq levels things up but the base is still lacking in slam. I am very keen to try this, but I wonder if I can still use the eq and rip the benefits this brings.

[@CustomCans]

Yes you can still EQ headphones after modding,

[@DL-do5xr]

@CustomCans Hi, thanks, I do know it can be EQ-Ed but the presets I am using would need to be modified and I would have wait for somebody to do it

[@adtrf1]

any update on the pads? thanks :)

[@CustomCans]

Hopefully we should have something in feb.. I am doing some more testing at the moment

[@Chopped86]

Please send a set to resolve! If not I’ll have to buy a set to have sent to him.

[@CustomCans]

I would live to get some in the hands of resolve but have no idea how to go about making that happen. If you know the best way to get in touch ... Pop us an email [e-mail]

[@Jekill-zk3hx]

how about doing one for the arya non stealth, i was thinking to try the grills on them. if maybe you can try that and run it through your graph's, see what they look like.

[@CustomCans]

No Sorry I don't think that we could sell enough of them to cover the cost of development

[@morimentos]

Would love to try a test print, awesome video as always 😤

[@CustomCans]

I'll stick your name in the hat

[@robertlucskai]

I would like to have one of those. I have the super grill and like that very much. The HE6 Se v2 would be great with it as well….

[@CustomCans]

I will stick your name in the hat - I am not 100% sure I will be tuning the HE6 Se v2 but may give it a go after the new beyerdynamic range

[@robertlucskai]

@@CustomCans That amazing can (HE6) needs this treatment! The original supergrill made wonders with them, so the one made especially for them would be a jackpot! Thanks for the great mods anyway! Also, the Stellar45 needs some work as well. It has a great potential, but needs some more care...

[@migoreng3420]

nice.., are you still continue with outer closed back version ?

[@CustomCans]

Yes I will be trying a couple more designs but I am not sure it is possible for them to sound good closed

[@1oldson]

any update on alternative pads?

[@zoobi27]

Oh my god I just ordered leather headbands and now i'm discovering you changed the grills ? I'll have to try that ! BTW how do you remove the ear cushion ring ? I just try to take one out and i'm just like "this is going to tear". Thanks ! Anyways, thanks for this new Edition XS reversible V2 ! EDIT : I just received the custom grills less than 2 weeks after ordering. Assembling / Removing parts : one disclaimer word : be VERY CAREFUL ! It is easy to damage the brackets when removing the cushion rings. Use a thin / flat screwdriver to add some leverage force, don't use just your hand / fingers, you could tear / break the brackets ! Once you remove the drivers, be very careful as well there are some sort of plastic leather things that wrap them, it can go off very easily, and if they go in the way of the screw notches / holes it will be painful to reassemble. PAY EXTRA ATTENTION TO THE BOTTOM WIRES near the cable plug hole. More at the top the wires should be hidden in a groove where a clipsing bracket piece will go to be inserted, and a little zig-zag angle is here to go around the screw hole to secure the driver. Don't let wire be trapped above the hole, and make sure it's fitted between the outward border of the socket and the screw hole, or else you may force the bracket / screw and potentially denude or damage the electrical wire, this could kill your headphones !! Again use a little pick or whatever to nudge the wires if needed so they don't get damaged. Use a clean and flat surface on which you can push against, in direction to the floor, to clip the assembly in with the bracket and the new grills. By hand, even if you push hard, you may unclip the bracket from an opposite side. Frustration guaranteed if you do it by hand... DO NOT PANIC if the bracket is still slightly loose especially at the bottom (most angled corner of the egg shape). Putting back the screws should adjust it just right. When putting back the ear cushion rings, align them the best you can and very gently squeeze the rings so the bracket snaps in just right (it connects from the inner edge of the bracket, right above the drivers once the assembly is ready). Go slowly, you will figure this out. Also I don't recommend keeping the paper piece from the alcantara strap things, you can use them as they are once stripped off the paper. Make sure to make the small dented cuts too, it helps fitting them with the angles of the shape of the rings. Hope this helps anyone in the future :)

[@ivanivkovicmusic]

Now how do I retune the Arya Organic to sound more like Edition XS?

[@CustomCans]

Lol ;) I tell you what, I will do a straight swap for you

[@DeathbyAudiophile]

I just bought a set of the final versions, I'm excited but I gotta wait since I'm US based. It would be sick to hear some previous iterations! I also wanted to know if yall have tried any mods to the Meze 99s, I've 3 pairs and have done some mods with foam so I have one pair that is almost flat neutral like an HD600 and great soundstsge with hybrid perforated pads from Dekoni. Would love to see more mods for stuff like Meze!

[@CustomCans]

Thanks for the order. We did have a go on the 99 neo but have not really tried tuning them. They did look very well made though so it may be something we do in the future. We are partnered with sennheiser, beyerdynamic and hifiman so tend to play with their headphones the most, mainly because we will destroy a couple of pairs during testing and they normally give us a decent discount on the test ones and give us access to the spares we need to keep development costs down

[@DeathbyAudiophile]

That makes a ton of sense, I bet if you guys reach out to the Meze team or Antonio Meze he would probably offer some, they seem to be very eager to work with small companies. I love what you guys are doing!

[@FlacomanXD]

Do you sell the modified headbands as well? The edition xs is on super sale... but i am btween that and the ananda nano purely cause i hate the ex headband

[@CustomCans]

Yes - here is a link customcans.co.uk/shop/product/hifiman-edition-xs-comfort-headband-strap-diy-mod/

[@fishinthejar]

I'd like to give 'em a shot. Not gonna lie though, at the price it looks a tiny bit rough for me but if the sound change is worth it then I do not see why not buy them :) Great work!

[@CustomCans]

Yeh... Pricing on this kind of thing is tricky. It costs a surprising amount to develop a mod like this and we probably won't sell loads of them. We went through over 50 prototypes so that is a lot of CAD and testing time, I suspect at the price we have them at the moment we would have to sell around 150 sets before we break even and I have literally no idea how big the market is ;) We will have to wait and see from the feedback but I am hoping this will give people at least £50 worth of happiness for the reasonable price of £35 so everyone is a winner.

[@stereowhale6606]

have been following this project the whole way, would love a pair of grills to try out on my edition xs. One step closer to peak XS lmao.

[@CustomCans]

I will stick your name in the hat

[@CustomCans]

Please email us with your name and delivery address [e-mail]

[@JustineCoudbit]

Hello, Is there really a superior sound quality for the Hifiman arya vs the Sennheiser hd 490 pro or is it tiny?

[@CustomCans]

It is down to personal taste, they sound different from each other

[@tvdylan]

interesting ! does it make them better for mixing ?

[@CustomCans]

The extra detail would help you pick out issues with the mix but I would probably use something with a flatter response for the final mixing / mastering. Our V3 tuned 80ohm DT770 are pretty good or the sennheiser HD490 unless you have a lot of money to spend on home HEDD headphones or something

[@tvdylan]

@CustomCans thanks for that. and ive already purchased the hifimans. so im going with those for now! would yu advise with or without your mods for mixing ?

[@dukes00]

Will you be selling the STL files for this mod?

[@CustomCans]

Yes we probably will. Just not sure what to charge at the moment. Hopefully they will be up next month some time

[@dukes00]

@@CustomCans that’s great, I’d order them directly from you but customs can be a pain in the ass when ordering from the UK sometimes.

[@liamdstein]

Great to hear the stl will be available, just what I was heading to the comments to ask.

[@Zakbass84]

How does that dip at 3.5K affect the overall listening experience?

[@CustomCans]

Our measurement rig is not super accurate but OK for compating A with B. If you look at the graph of the Stock XS it has the same dip at 3.5k kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnyrZKidh6aKf6Msi=74uE7_RUgMehZBBA&t=773. It is not perfect but it is not something anyone has had an issue with during the testing process... I think it would be best to give it a month and then come back and see if there is any more reviews or feedback

[@Enzo_560]

Does this mod bring out a much larger soundstage like the Arya has? I tried the Edition XS and returned mainly due to the soundstage feeling kinda closed in, not small but closed in compared to other Hifimans. Not to mention the hotspot from the headband.

[@CustomCans]

Yes - I would say it does increase the soundstage and the extra detail helps with instrument separation but .... They are more sensitive to positioning - you have to have them at the right height on the ear to get the most benefit.

[@NaaCeer]

I would love to have a head strap for my xs stooped using it coz it hearts my head

[@fredrikie1]

Id like a test print. But my caveat is I'll install them on my Ananda Stealths. I can measure before and after the swap and send you the graphs/data ;)

[@CustomCans]

No, this is not designed for the ananda stealth, they have a completely different driver

[@ZenTunE-]

I'd assume the build is similar to the Ananda, I can now use this video for when I paint the grills black :)

[@CustomCans]

Yeh - they probably go together the same way

[@maddugqc6911]

Do you think hifiman xs can last a couple years ? Many poeple talk about qc issue and i am scared

[@CustomCans]

Yes - I pulled my pair apart and put it back together over 50 times during testing and it survived. I see no reason they would not last a decade or two if you look after them

[@benedu3450]

you got the stl for sale?

[@JOJOSSTAR1]

Hey Jason id be real cool if you could take apart a R70x refine see what they changed from the original r70x to tune it different. If you ever get your hands on one. Cheers mate

[@CustomCans]

That is probably not something we will get round to - I am sure they are fine now but we had some real issues modding them in the past and they won't sell us replacement parts if we break anything...

[@PureWhiteBlue]

Awesome video as always. how would these compare to the dt990 pro. I have your mass loading kit and they're amazing. Are these hifan man with your mods better? I know it's subjective but.....

[@Tealc2323]

I have the DT990 Pro 250 Ohm with the mass loading mod and these Edition XS are a huge fucking upgrade even stock that blew my mind. I got them as full price of $500 and I think they are amazing for the price, but they are currently $269 in many places which is an absolute steal!

[@CustomCans]

I agree with @Tealc2323 there is a jump up in performance going to the XS from the 990

[@PureWhiteBlue]

@@CustomCans thank you ❤️

[@PureWhiteBlue]

@@Tealc2323 Thank you this, this is the help I needed ❤️ cool name I hope it's a reference to start gate sg1 😉

[@Hijynx87]

​@@Tealc2323yeah that price drop is absolutely mad! It's cheaper than the inferior sundara!

[@frederf69]

Leather is uaually better than fake materials. What other mods are in the pipeline?

[@CustomCans]

Yes - the best we have tried so far is natural rubber but unfortunately it smells bad.... Other mods in the pipeline, Next the beyerdynamic Pro X range and possibly an updated kit for the Sennheiser HD25 but then we will be super busy on the DJ side of the business with the run up to christmas. The money we earn from that will hopefully pay for more mod development.

[@seanmarlow9514]

Can’t wait for the Stellar mods 😃

[@CustomCans]

Yeh - me too. I can't wait to get back to some beyerdynamic tuning

[@vivaldidarren]

I would like to have the test sets! Stock XS sounded kinda boring now

[@CustomCans]

Thanks I will stick your name in the hat

[@Jordonater]

The Arya organic is far to bright in the treble does this mean that your mod makes the already slighty bright edition xs even brighter or is it more just the bass and mids that change?

[@CustomCans]

We aimed to make them more like the Arya orcanic so they are brighter with this mod. If you find the arya organic too bright, this is not for you ;)

[@Jordonater]

@@CustomCans thanks. I hope in the future you could make a less "thin" sounding xs. I think Sundara is more tolerable and has a nicer punch and mids.

[@CustomCans]

@@Jordonater Probably not any time in the near future. This was insanely difficult and expensive to design and test and I need a good 6 months to recover ;)

[@Jordonater]

@@CustomCans Oh i can imagine i appreciate the replies and your honesty you have a great company.

[@itayadler8565]

How does it work with the hifiman ananda v3? Does someone tried?

[@CustomCans]

No it is designed to match the driver in the XS the ananda has a different shape driver

[@williams4057]

Are you selling the stl files? And printing instruction? Please enter my name in for the vegan headband!

[@CustomCans]

I will put you down for the Vegan option. We will probably be selling the STLs but with lots of warnings about them being very tricky to print. As you say, some good instructions will help. We will be trying to print them on a few different printers and using different slicers over the next couple of weeks and then should have the STLs for sale next month

[@CustomCans]

Please email us with your name and delivery address [e-mail]

[@traaaaan]

Will this work with the ananda nano? And should I?

[@CustomCans]

Probably not - I have not tested it but it is designed to work specifically with the XS driver

[@andreasjensen8451]

I get that your price is not the same as the one on the hifiman store. But 204 gbp for the headphones on the hifiman store and 35 for the modkit. Is it really 100 quid in labor to put that mod kit on? That puts it at the same price as the Ananda nano. It's a really cool project but it's a bit difficult to justify in my mind

[@CustomCans]

I think it would depend what country you are in. The Hifiman store has the price in USD but if you get them shipped to the UK you end up paying UK Taxes. If you are in the UK they are around £260 once they get here. If you are in the US, once you enter your address on our website it will deduct UK taxes and it will be around 20% cheaper. Or if you are in a different country where you can get them cheaper, Just buy the kit and install it your self, it is pretty easy to do.

[@andreasjensen8451]

@@CustomCans do they charge uk taxes then? Dang. They get to the eu without any problem. Guess you are missing out big time there

[@CustomCans]

@@andreasjensen8451 It is not a cheap place to live ;) We are looking into setting up an EU distributor in the future which should make it cheaper and quicker for you lucky Europeans to get our stuff

[@andreasjensen8451]

@@CustomCans dang! That's cool! You guys are still europeans, just not in the eu😉 there is a little bit of water between us

[@jlucponcon5507]

J'en ai commandé une kit mais d origine le son devient caverneux et la profondeur de la scene sonore est réduit mais en découpant la parti basse de la grill alors la oui le son est bon

[@CustomCans]

Thanks for the feedback - with the mod they are more sensetive to how you position them on your head so adjusting the height of the earcups may halp a little but I will have a go at the mod you made and see what results I get

[@stevefromlondon4949]

I only watched for the Spice Girls.

[@CustomCans]

That was just for you my friend

[@movingtargets7833]

the problem is: they make the headphones duller and uglier. that's why I prefer using an equalizer.

[@CustomCans]

Yes - we get a lot of people commenting who prefer to EQ things and it is quicker, cheaper and safer then modding. Sound's like your are already living your best life so no need to mod if it is not your thing. Thanks for watching though and I hope, despite you not wanting to mod your own headphones you enjoyed watching someone else mod theirs. Big up to the EQ massive. - P.L.U.R

[@kevinfrench9798]

Could you please add my name in the hat for a test set. Thanks

[@CustomCans]

Will do ;) I will get Sylvia to pick a name from the hat tomorrow

[@kevinfrench9798]

@@CustomCansThank you

[@CustomCans]

Please email us with your name and delivery address [e-mail]

[@kevinfrench9798]

@@CustomCans wow thanks for this will do. Have a great day.

[@marcp.1752]

#1 first

[@CustomCans]

Winner

[@bribrishyguy6516]

This is hilarious if you know anything about measurements, you made the upper half of the mid range worse and added a peak in treble. 😂

[@CustomCans]

You could well be right. So far we have had a lot of good feedback from them but we may have lucked out with the people we chose. We should also invest in a better measurement rig so that our graphs are more comparable with what people are used to seeing. It has been on the list of toys we would like for a while but we never seem to have the money. Maybe after christmas we will be able to get something. If nothing else, I am glad we gave you a laugh and brightened your day