Semi-closed back for Satyr3 headset

The Satyr3 is an open-back headphone, and as such leakes quite some noise into your surroundings. This remix converts it to a semi-closed headphone by replacing the fascia by a vented dome, so you feel comfortable wearing it in public. This strikes a balance between sound leakage and audio quality.

Disclaimer:

• This modification affects the sound quality of your Satyr3. You lose some of the low basses but treble leakage is reduced by ~50%.

• I'm neither an audio engineer nor an audiophile. I stopped iterating once it leaked sufficiently less sound but still sounded almost the same to the original (to my untrained ear):

  • 1st iteration: Fully closed back (facepalm) --> dead bass

  • 2nd iteration: This model --> still too much leakage

  • 3rd and final iteration: This model + Dekoni foam

• My understanding of how headphone geometry and airflows affect sound quality is negligible and strictly less than ChatGPT's. Here's the full conversation in which it suggested this design.

  • No AI was involved in creating the actual 3D model.

Printing

It's a pretty straightforward print, but using variable layer height is recommended to reduce visible layer lines.

Print settings:

• Nozzle: 0.4mm (HF)

• Layer height: 0.2mm, but use variable layer height on top of dome (see .mf3 file)

• Material: PETG (recommended) or PLA

• Supports: Optional, only at the dome apex, do not touch vents or insert holes

The cover is symmetric, you need 2 pieces per headphone.

Materials

You need the same heatset inserts used for the original fascia of the Satyr3 headphones.

BoM:

• 4x M3 heatset inserts, 3mm (recommended) to 4mm (max) long and 4.5-5mm diameter.

Assembly

The cover replaces the Satyr3 fascia. Hence,

• Place 2x M3 heatset inserts into each dome.

• Glue some Dekoni foam to the interior of the dome.

  • 1-2mm layer of low to medium density foam that cover the vent holes

  • 4-6mm layer of medium density foam in the center

  • Do NOT line entire dome with foam (see picture, do not use more than that)

  • Vary density/layer height to fine-tune the leakage vs. sound quality trade-off to your preference.

    • Start with empty dome

    • Add Dekoni foam until

      • sound leakage was sufficiently reduced, or

      • sound quality deteriorates to unacceptable levels

• Follow the Satyr3 instructions on how to install the fascia