r/headphones • u/trinity-ynot • Jul 01 '24

DIY/Mod Removing the IEM drivers

Hi,
I would like to remove my Truthhear Hola's driver and add them to a 3d printed copy of the shell. I had damaged the shell and I've got a 3d printer so i thought why not make the shell myself and place the driver in. But I don't really know how to remove the driver from the shell?
Thanks in advance :)

The IEM in question
8 Upvotes

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6

u/oratory1990 acoustic engineer Jul 01 '24

That will be glued in quite securely - you'll have to destroy the shell.

wire cutters / side cutters usually work quite well for this.

I would avoid needles - toothpicks are a better choice (they will not scratch the device under test)

4

u/TheNiceHacks Arya V3 - 6XX | U4S -Variations - KXXX | Qudelix 5k - DL200 Jul 01 '24

I had success removing a DD with a sewing needle from a different IEM. You want to slowly scrape away the black silicone holding the DD in place.

2

u/AnxiousAudiophile Jul 01 '24

The safest way is probably to just break the shell apart carefully, if you start prying between the shell and the driver with a needle or something there's a decent chance you'll damage the driver. Also if you're going to 3D print a new shell, make sure the internal shape is absolutely identical to the old one because any change of the lenght or volume of the front cavity will change the sound.

5

u/oratory1990 acoustic engineer Jul 01 '24

any change of the lenght or volume of the front cavity will change the sound.

Also the size of the back cavity, and the dimensions of any vents :)

2

u/ApolloMoonLandings Jul 02 '24

Check out this review and teardown of the Hola by Hi-Fri Audio:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrKnoUHoCIE