Having printed out the measurements for all 41 Do-It-Yourself modified headphones sent to me over the past year, I spread them out over my kitchen table and set to work picking the best and worst measuring of the bunch. I also picked what I thought were the coolest looking headphones. And I scrounged around my lab looking for all the headphones I might give away as prizes.

Let's see who got what ...

In my view, the Sennheiser HD 800 is the world's best dynamic headphone. Its imaging and transient response is second to none. (Read my full review here.) The problem is, brutal honesty can be tough to take.

Fortunately, there's a relatively simple modification to take the edge off your HD 800.

Some modified Grado cans have shown up in the lab. I don't know what my problem was getting to them in a timely manner, maybe it's my dislike in general for Grado cans, maybe it was the trouble I was having getting my corporate shipping set up, but I've finally managed to get around to listening and writing this post.

Oh, well, here we go ...

It's not often a pair of DIY cans comes walking in the door with its own monster branding. Not only has enthusiast 4nradio breathed life into this odd assortment of bits from previously dead or discontinued headphones, but unlike the good doctor of yore, he has fallen in love with the monster he brought to life, and given it character and personality.

Let's meet the monster.

Aw geez ... I feel so lucky. I teared up a bit as I unwrapped six DIY headphones from dBel84 on Head-Fi. The work, love, and enthusiasm of this owner/modifier/enthusiast just radiated from them. I feel so privileged to have people send me their pride and joy DIY cans. It's a very special thing for me personally.

Come, let's have a look at this very personal "personal audio" collection.

I’ve had more fun tinkering around in my basement over the last 6+ years than I ever would have had wasting away on the couch watching TV. I’ve built 50 or so projects ranging from the very cheap and small to the rather expensive and large. Has it all been fun, nah, but what good journey is? If you wanna try DIY, read on ...