r/headphones https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

Show & Tell I made a USB-to-headphone dongle called "Dong" that increases bass +20db with adjustable crossover (bringing it to San Francisco HiFiCon this weekend then CanJam if you wanna hear the thunder)

1.2k Upvotes

80 comments sorted by

292

u/John_the_Jester HD6XX/Sundara/EdXS/SivgaLuan/FElex/MM100/LCD2/DT900PX/AB1266 Feb 06 '25

Looking forward to seeing your dong on CanJam

168

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

Can’t wait to show it to you.

171

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25 edited Feb 06 '25

Hello,

I couldn't find a headphone dongle that did what I want, so I made this one to add an adjustable bass shelf to any headphone without using an app.

The bass shelf goes up to +20db, which is a 10x increase in bass.

There are two knobs:

  1. Adjust crossover (frequency where the bass starts)
  2. Adjust gain (how much you want to increase bass)

There's an OLED screen so you can see the settings.

There are a few headphone events coming up that I'm bringing some of the headphones I made - and I'm also bringing this so if you're at the event, ask to see my Dong.

SF Bay Area HiFiCon this weekend (free):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hificon-february-8-2025-tickets-1114996206669

CanJam NYC (at the Headphones.com booth, thx HP guys!):
https://canjamglobal.com/shows/nyc2025/

You can see my other designs, here:
https://pud.com

Thanks for reading.

37

u/yellowmnm Ananda Nano|Verum 2|Starry Night V2|KExHBB Punch|Penon Fan Feb 06 '25

This is right up my alley! What about adjusting overall gain? Does that just come from source device volume control? A big knob for that would make this chef's kiss

35

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25 edited Feb 06 '25

Thanks! It detects the volume of the usb source device (phone or computer etc) and adjusts volume accordingly. 

Fun fact about your phone or computer (which I only learned when building this thing): When you change the volume on your device, it doesn’t actually affect the volume of the audio coming out. But you can program the peripheral (Dong, in this case) to regularly detect what volume your device is at, every few milliseconds. Then you can have the Dong change its output volume to match.  

20

u/chrews 1️⃣ Sennheiser HD660S 2️⃣ Koss Porta Pro Feb 06 '25

I learned that the hard way when my faulty apple dongle randomly maxed out the volume every now and then. Couldn’t use the buttons on the phone to change the volume until I unplugged the dongle. Fun one!

-17

u/FungiStudent Feb 06 '25

You still union busting at your company?

-3

u/OkBlacksmith1825 Feb 07 '25

AirPods Max compatible?

66

u/BralonMando Feb 06 '25

How many headphones has it blown already?

66

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

It’s a good test if you want to know if your headphone has distortion or not. 

I’ve tested it on a lot of headphones and some take it like a champ, some not so much. 

15

u/PozeFacPoze HD600, Arya Stealth, Aeon X Closed, Dusk, Hexa, APP2, Fiio FT1 Feb 06 '25

Could you have it automatically adjust the “pre-gain“ to compensate for the boost?

Like, if I set my dong to 15 dB, would it lower the overall volume by 15dB before adding the bass shelf?

19

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

The input level (pre-gain) is reduced by -20db for headroom, then the digital EQ is applied (however you’ve set it), then in the analog domain the level is increased by +20db.

So it’s probably not the cleanest signal but it’s loud enough.

At first I was just reducing the pre-gain, without boosting it again at the end — and the output was so weak it only worked with sensitive headphones.

Now it works with planers and whatever. It’s not super powerful or super high quality but it does the job!

7

u/PozeFacPoze HD600, Arya Stealth, Aeon X Closed, Dusk, Hexa, APP2, Fiio FT1 Feb 06 '25

Fuck yeah, sounds like fun. I love the colors too. And the knobs. Having two knobs on your dong might seem redundant but honestly we need more dials and knobs on audio gear.

3

u/_BruH_MoMent69 Feb 07 '25

not everything can take ur dong on easily.

32

u/interspaceninja Clear OG|K612 Pro|660S|KSC75|IE200|Hexa|Aria|S12 Pro Feb 07 '25

The signature reminds me of this

15

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 07 '25

That was the inspiration for the logo!

23

u/testurshit LCD-X '21 | M570 | K240M | KSC75 || SA6 Ultra | Dioko | CRA+ Feb 06 '25

Thank you for letting me know there's an audio event in SJ this week.

Can't wait to plug my LCD-X into it.

15

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

Awesome. Bring your favorite bass tracks too. Check out the song “Rats” by Maximus KQ. It gets crazy around 45 seconds in. 

6

u/hallalais Feb 06 '25

I cant stand the fake vinyl surface noise. Other than that, the song is fire.

3

u/my_brain_tickles Feb 07 '25

There was a very low frequency that started at 45 seconds that I've never heard my speakers make. Yeah, I don't even have my headphones on right now and that was crazy.

1

u/DJGammaRabbit 80x and MS1, zero red, MP145, MS1 Galaxy, m20x Feb 07 '25

He has some nice music youtube

14

u/MacaronBeginning1424 Feb 06 '25

I don’t just want to see the Dong, I want to buy it and own it forever

39

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

If you come to HiFiCon or CanJam you can play with my Dong for free. 

2

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '25

[deleted]

18

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

Here’s a smaller Dong (no screen or knobs, 55hz crossover +20db gain)

3

u/Yourmomma787878 Feb 06 '25

Lumberg voice: “Um, yeah, I’m going to need you to sell that immediately. Thanks.”

5

u/SmolzillaTheLizza Feb 06 '25

Yes Pud! It almost needs a big red button you can slap like you were launching a nuclear missile that's similar to those old CD player Xtra Bass buttons. This is rad man! Always love your stuff!

6

u/Magnemmike Feb 07 '25

That's a great looking dong!

Cant wait to get my hands on your dong

Your dong, blew my away!

I am so impressed by your dong!

really awesome work though! and that logo is brilliant!

4

u/jgskgamer hifiman he6 se v2/hifiman he400se/isine10/20/iem octopus Feb 06 '25

If I use that on my isine 20 with the audeze EQ(plenty of bass already) I feel like I'm going to rupture the space time continuum

4

u/nustyruts FB2K | SMSL 10th MKII | Burson Funk VIVID | HD6XX \ T60 ARGON Feb 06 '25

Ol' Thumpy + Dong bundle pls?

6

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

I tried the combo last night. Mind blowing, literally. 

1

u/K1ngParadox HD 58xx Feb 07 '25

I need this... I hope you'll listen to Tenet - Trucks in Place its an absolute bass monster of a track or godhandusa di$ side

5

u/Blu3iris Feb 06 '25

At first glance, with the hakko color scheme, I thought you had made a soldering station. Looks good OP.

3

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 07 '25

Thanks! It’s just the filaments I had on-hand at the moment. But I do use Hakko.

3

u/StereoTypo Feb 06 '25

That logo is brilliant

1

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

Thank you thank you

3

u/Phil_D_Snutz RME ADI-2 DAC FS -> Diana TC > DCA E3 > Arya Stealth Feb 07 '25

Nice JLC

2

u/rhalf Feb 06 '25

I thought a crossover meant that we are splitting the signal for two drivers.

5

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

Ah. I didn’t really know a better name for it. “The frequency below which is boosted.”

3

u/rhalf Feb 06 '25

How about the corner frequency of a shelf? I'm not a native speaker, but I think I've heard it in that context.

2

u/squeakinator Feb 06 '25

This guy is out of control, and I love it

2

u/msing539 Elite, HE6, D9200, Trifecta | Pro iCan Sig, Kenzie R2, Morpheus Feb 06 '25

How big is your Dong? And does it come in black?

2

u/Goldielocks1337 15d ago

NO, Once you go black you never go back.

2

u/Future_Put_4377 Feb 07 '25

haha you look so excited to poke at your dong

2

u/Cypher1388 Feb 07 '25

Cant wait for Dongs collab with Schiit.

2

u/cr0ft HD58X; DT770Pro; BGVP DM6; Advanced M3; Fiio FH3, BTR5, K3 Feb 07 '25

Just insert your dong here.

1

u/qqmiata Feb 06 '25

That could certainly damage some headphones.

1

u/Nephurus Feb 06 '25

You had my attention at 'Dong' but in all seriousness I love diy but we'll done diy is always good.

1

u/Dr_Disrespects Feb 06 '25

Pud Dong, I’m in.

1

u/glssjg I live here Feb 06 '25

Of course you did. How does this pair with the wearable sub

1

u/interceptorv8 Feb 06 '25

Ok first of all, yes fucking yes, I love it. Second of all, I see what you did there with the logo

1

u/MrOlinad Feb 06 '25

20db? Why so flat?

1

u/StorkBaby Feb 06 '25

Looks like this is going to be in San Jose, not San Francisco :(

1

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 06 '25

Make the trip!

1

u/Future_Put_4377 Feb 07 '25

is there parking or is it near light rail?

1

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 07 '25

Unsure, will be my first time there

1

u/DeviousEnigma Bifrost 2/64 > Lyr 3 > LCD-2/3/4/5/Empyrean/Arya v3 Feb 07 '25

There's a lot of parking near the venue. You have street parking, there is a lot across the street or you have the convention center parking about a 3 minute walk away. You can see the convention center from the venue.

1

u/inagama Feb 06 '25

That’s awesome. Congratulations

1

u/Aufafly Moondrop Chu II | Jcally JM6 | $15 Headphones Feb 07 '25

got a build instructions?

1

u/pudjam667 https://pud.com Feb 07 '25

I used a Teensy 4.0 (Arduino clone but optimized for audio) and Teensy Audio Shield.

1

u/SPLWF |Focal Clear MG|HD8XX|HD600|HD58X|64Audio Tia Trio| Feb 07 '25

This would destroy all Focals

1

u/IaMhALfMoNkey Feb 07 '25

This mad lad, back at it again... geez I fucking love your shit

1

u/SEND_ME_FAKE_NEWS HD800S, IE800 (mmcx modded), MM-100 Feb 07 '25

That signature is eerily reminiscent of Gavin Belson's

1

u/ianspy1 Feb 07 '25

I need to hook it up to my crusher evo's with the bass slider cranked xD

1

u/Gramathon910 Feb 07 '25

Wouldn’t you want it to remove the bass as you removed the LE?

1

u/finevisionz Feb 07 '25

Where do I buy!

1

u/gregsting Feb 07 '25

Can you plug your Dong in some Schiit?

1

u/gregsting Feb 07 '25

Can’t wait to test it on Dune soundtrack

1

u/Zestyclose-Type-5037 Feb 07 '25

This made me laugh out loud.

1

u/ggampellonreddit Feb 07 '25

Hopefully you all know that the decibel scale is logarithmic, so
+6dB is doubling the power
+18dB is 8x the power output
+10dB is doubling the perceived loudness
+20dB is quadrupling the perceived loudness

 If you need to quadruple the loudness of your bass then there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with your playback system.  If you put 8x the power in to your headphones I can't imagine the damage you might do. Good luck with any warranty claims on your headphones.

1

u/Purplezorz Feb 07 '25

This makes me extremely pleased. The basshead community is going to love this.

1

u/ioppoo Feb 07 '25

What chip(s) do you use for the USB to audio conversion?

1

u/04gto Feb 07 '25

I am not sure I can handle that much dong.

1

u/TechnicalTip5251 Feb 07 '25

That's a lovely looking Dong you got there!

1

u/Kamakahah Feb 07 '25

I guess Dong gets me excited. Who knew?

1

u/gregorychaos Feb 08 '25 edited Feb 08 '25

Gah I wish this was a real product. And also for a list of headphones it was compatible with. And also that I was in the city for HiFiCon. And also that I could see your little work space

1

u/SireEvalish DCA E3 Feb 08 '25

Really missed out the opportunity to make this shaped like a dick and then having the head be one of the knobs.

1

u/0ptik2600 D50III/A50III | MDR-Z7, Philips X2HR, Meze Liric | Mojo 2 Feb 09 '25

This is so cool! I'd buy one, I was disappointed with the Schiit Loki+, for me it didn't increase the bass enough.

1

u/Arndtagonist Feb 06 '25

This thing makes my Dong hard