Making Custom Headphones For The Impulse AQ

[Joe Beechnut OBN]

On 12/16/2023 at 9:28 AM, The_Stalker said:

Why would you not buy or make a custom set of headphones?  Then you know there is no problem.

I agree!!

I seen the issue from the start with the AQ, even on the excalibur. In fact all waterproof headsets are weak in the audio department. To be 100% they must make them reliable, which can be very restrictive on the piezo bender.  So make your own, all they have to be is water resistant, taking a dunk once and awhile is no problem. And they are easy fix if something goes wrong, since you made them.

 

 

I have shared this before with others.. and had the same results as Alexandre 

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I like the 65mm but now only use the 50mm audio unlimit with the black plastic outer rim. As far as what I use, I only do this for myself, I use two different things. Restricting the piezo is the worst thing you can do, everything from the wire size you use to the covering. So the last 5 years I have used silicon grease, dow 111 and something else I love is 3m wound patch..each works great at protection, the dow does need cleaned about once every few months..... the 3m is  like a very thin skin ..and the wires I use are needle thin. Anything to keep the restriction down.

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For me, it's about being able to pull out every variation and vibration the AQ is sending to the the Piezo' s, than add a good set of ear muffs w/Gel Pads..that block as much ambient noise as possible. Making and testing does not require much either, just a test swing for Air Test.

 

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AB5027B-3-LW100-R 50 mm PUI Audio Unlimited
 PIEZO CERAMIC BENDER 2.7 KHZ 500 OHM

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/PUI-Audio/AB5027B-3-LW100-R?qs=Ad%2Bh9aq9FyX0t5%2B4gCIO8g%3D%3D

AB6505B 65 mm PUI Audio Unlimited
PIEZO CERAMIC BENDER  520 HZ  Impedance 1 kOhms

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/PUI-Audio/AB6505B?qs=Xc0V8bXuji5Q61LWJkv0Lw%3D%3D

 

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3M Tegaderm Transparent Dressing 

Provides a waterproof, sterile barrier to external contaminants including liquids, bacteria and viruses. 

This stuff is super thin and very easy to mess up, practice a few times before trying to cover the piezo.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Tegaderm-Transparent-Film-Dressing/dp/B000PYP5R4/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_2/146-7411959-4394806?pd_rd_w=VPiIc&content-id=amzn1.sym.116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_p=116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_r=P5VXXTC8RF47J2222HHF&pd_rd_wg=pz53d&pd_rd_r=48033ebb-6254-42f5-8c15-876801da204a&pd_rd_i=B000PYP5R4&psc=1

Dow Corning 111 O-Ring Valve Silicone Lubricant

which I no longer use except on the headsets that I have made and still using. 

https://www.amazon.com/Dow-Corning-Silicone-Lubricant-Sealant/dp/B00V2KG3XU/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=dow%2B111%2Bo-ring%2Bsilicone%2Blubricant&qid=1702874474&sr=8-6&th=1

 

 

 

[cjc]

awfully small solders in those plugs--don't think I would try a build.  Thanks  for the specs though. 

[Joe Beechnut OBN]

37 minutes ago, cjc said:

awfully small solders in those plugs--don't think I would try a build.  Thanks  for the specs though. 

Welcome....This might help if you ever change your mind... premade end/cable M8, 5 pin, B code, male. One meter cable or you can get it in 2 and 3 meters. It is a straight cable but can easily be heated/cooled and trained to be coiled or used as a straight cable. 

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Bulgin/PXPPVC08FIM05BCL010PVC?qs=%2Fha2pyFadujBLFQQGAl4nekyampvhvP24lBto9mvnvRNNDJ8dZ0tdbakkj6U45oq

 

Also comes in a 45.. 

https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/57/M8_Data_Sheets-1901337.pdf

 

 

[bklein]

I can make just about anything but without detailed guidelines I’d be just trying my luck. I have the parts (have to check if as recommended above) but have several quite different recommendations for mounting/sealing the piezos, plus I have samples of different diameters. Piezos are for waterproof headsets and I don’t hunt where I’d intentionally dunk them. So I would think that an off the shelf non-piezo set would likely be superior in response - but all the talk is about using piezos. I use my CTX with the wm10 and earbuds and I’m good.  When I compared my AQ to a friend’s it seemed 1” less sensitive and both had identical looking headsets.  Mine also was re-validated at the factory although I haven’t been able to validate that performance myself. That factory performance should have been tested with the headphones I sent in attached to it. 

[bklein]

Ahhhh. It could be that the AQ has a piezo driver IC to drive the headset. If so, regular headsets probably won’t work well.  Anyone know more?

[cjc]

18 hours ago, Joe Beechnut OBN said:

Welcome....This might help if you ever change your mind... premade end/cable M8, 5 pin, B code, male. One meter cable or you can get it in 2 and 3 meters. It is a straight cable but can easily be heated/cooled and trained to be coiled or used as a straight cable. 

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Bulgin/PXPPVC08FIM05BCL010PVC?qs=%2Fha2pyFadujBLFQQGAl4nekyampvhvP24lBto9mvnvRNNDJ8dZ0tdbakkj6U45oq

 

Also comes in a 45.. 

https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/57/M8_Data_Sheets-1901337.pdf

 

 

Wow--good  to know.  I'vve got the AQ small coil cable / plug set up on the bench to solder and walk a wide berth around it...soldeing is my shame....lol 

cjc

[bklein]

Newark Electronics seems to be having a sale on Bulgin M8 stuff. Check it out but leave me something.

[Joe Beechnut OBN]

15 hours ago, bklein said:

Newark Electronics seems to be having a sale on Bulgin M8 stuff. Check it out but leave me something.

I loaded up a few years ago, still have a few left. I did go to the M 12 8 pin after I started making batteries. Which I no longer do.. .

[Joe Beechnut OBN]

On 12/18/2023 at 12:20 PM, bklein said:

Ahhhh. It could be that the AQ has a piezo driver IC to drive the headset. If so, regular headsets probably won’t work well.  Anyone know more?

I'm not sure but I do know the JBL Clip 2 I have and the similar as Alexandrea uses, works great also.