Headband Mod for AKG K700 Series Headphones

This project is for modifying the AKG K700 series headphones with a headband from the Meze 99 Classics. Included are CAD files for the bracket assembly that you may modify and 3D print.

As an owner of the AKG K701, K7XX, and Q701, I love this series of headphones. They are lightweight, breathable and sound great to me. However, these headphones have some flaws. Small plastic parts on the headband are prone to breaking, the suspension bands are thin and feel like they wear out quickly, and older versions of the headband have been infamously uncomfortable.

Knowing this, I was inspired by a video from DankPods showing how easy it is to replace the Meze 99 Classics headband. The Meze headband uses screw holes, a thick suspension band, and has cushioning foam inside the headband. I figured that the Meze headband might be a suitable replacement for the AKG headband on my headphones.

I set out to design a bracket assembly to attach a Meze headband to the AKG K700 series headphones while having a similar design aesthetic to that of the AKG headphones and being easy to assemble and repair. What I came up with is a two part 3D printable bracket assembly that screws together from the back and presents the original AKG logos nicely. If you are interested in trying this mod yourself, continue reading and I hope you enjoy the project!

*Disclaimer*

These instructions include steps that destroy parts and make the reassembly of the old headband impossible. I could not figure out a way to disassemble the headband and not destroy some parts. Considering this, I figured that simplifying the disassembly process by destroying other parts would be fine. I would not suggest doing this project if your headband works fine and you find it to be comfortable. Apologies for my videos being blurry. This Instructable is a work in progress.

You'll need the following:

A pair of AKG K700 series headphones

A Meze 99 Classics headband (https://mezeaudio.com/collections/accessories/products/pu-leather-headband)

4 M1.7*5 self tapping screws

Small Philips head screw driver

Scissors

A knife or thin and strong wedging tool

600-800 grit sand paper

Super glue

3D printed parts:

2 Front pieces

2 Back pieces

Start by cutting the suspension bands flush on both sides of each earcup. Gently pry apart the headband rails to release the retainers of the headband. Don't apply too much force to avoid breaking the rails. Slide the headband rail support peg out of the clear piece slot. The leather headband should now be fully removed.

The headband rails and two support pieces should be all that is left of the headband. We need to remove the headband support pieces. To remove these parts, insert a knife or thin prying tool that can fit between the parts and wiggle the tool back and forth to pry support pieces apart and break them. These are the parts that I could not remove without destroying. If you know how to disassemble this part properly, please leave a comment!

The last thing you'll need to get the AKG logo pieces from the old headband. Jim Zhang posted a great video going over how to disassemble the AKG headphones and shows how to remove the AKG logo pieces. I have linked his video here. You will need to remove these clip pieces from the logo piece and sand it down so that it is relatively flat.

Print these models with the long, thin, flat side facing the build plate for both the SLA or FDM print. Dimensions might vary slightly for your headphones. If you need to make the holes that grab the headband bars slightly smaller, you might need to change the radius dimensions of both parts marked in the photo to 2mm. The sketches of these parts are in the first extrusion of the models.

If your resin prints turn out bent, you can dunk the spot on the parts you want to shape correctly in boiling water for about 5 seconds and bend them to shape easily. After you have parts that you are satisfied with, glue the AKG logo pieces onto the circle of the front pieces of the new headband brackets.

To assemble the new headband, start by putting the screws into the back piece to tap into the plastic. Hold the back piece against the inside of the headband rails about 40mm above where the rails connect to the earcup. Then place one end of the Meze headband under the headband rails and over the back bracket piece with the holes lined up. Put the front bracket piece over that and hold the sandwich all together with one hand. Then drive the 2 screws in fully.

If the rails slide through the holes created by the bracket, you might need to adjust the size of the hole geometry for your printer and reprint. This connection should be a tight fit and not slip. Repeat those steps for the other side.

Now that you've completed the assembly of the new headband, give your newly modified headphones a try. Let me know if you think this headband improves the comfort over the original one.

*The only drawback with this mod is that the 99 Classics logo is out of place. I have been working on several ways to solve this problem, and felt unsatisfied with all of them. My recent idea that I am working on is using Heat Transfer Vinyl to apply custom artwork across the headband like I did with the sticker idea in the photo. I designed a stencil shape to cover the headband that is 8.5"x1.6". I have not verified that this will work yet, but I will update this part of the Instructable when I come up with something I am happy with sharing.

If you have any suggestions to improve this Instructable, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and good luck with your future DIY projects.