Alright. Finally got around to modding the KPH30i to MMCX connectors and because there aren’t many instructions on how to do so compared to the PortaPros, I thought I might contribute some.
First thing first, it’s highly recommended that if you want to mod it to MMCX, you do so only when you’re changing to Yaxi pads, or just the pads in general. As everyone else mentioned here before, because of the design of the KPH30i, you risk tearing the pads.
I didn’t tear my stock pads however because I used forceps and a good deal of patience slowly prying the foam off the little hooks. Disassembled, it looks like this. You also have to remove the back foam to reveal the clips needed to detach the housing completely from the headband.
Now if you have a dremel and a fine sanding attachment, this part will be easy. I sanded away just enough to fit the MMCX connectors on the side where the wire hole is. On the driver side, there will be two horizontal plastic bits that need to be removed too. (sorry I forgot to take a photo of that) The MMCX connector will be epoxied down on the DRIVER side ONLY.
If you’re familiar with the PortaPro/KSC75 mod, soldering is basically the same. I cut the thin wires at the base of the plug, then solder MMCX connectors to it. I’ve had problems trying to tin the coloured wire, which I didn’t have problems with previous Koss mods. Not sure whether it’s just me (I’m inexperienced in soldering), or it really is the wire. I got it done, but I need to know if someone has the same problem.
Once that’s done, just epoxy the connector to the DRIVER side. I closed the housing and held the connector in place with forceps until it set. If you Epoxy it to the wire hole side, you will have problems trying to open the headphones in the future and swap pads. Not recommended.
So that’s it really. Once the epoxy is set, you can put everything back. Swap out to Yaxi pads if you like and enjoy you’re new freed KPH30i. Now, I contemplated on removing the back foam, but Zeos said the bass would just disappear, so I didn’t bother. Personally I think the KPH30i is a bit veiled, but I’ve heard worse for headphones 10x the price. I just want my budget Koss to have detachable cables, and that’s what I did.
