Hello!
Repeatedly stumbling upon the mention of the Samsung U Flex headset and positive impressions about it in Eldar's articles, I decided to try it as a means of listening to music 'for every day'. Additional incentives for this decision were two more factors – recently, my woman began to use the Samsung Level U headset and spoke extremely positively about it in terms of convenience and ergonomics, and I also decided to keep my Erato Apollo 7S, which I used to this day. as the main device. I buy U Flex.
But just buying and using is not our way. I wouldn't be myself if I hadn't decided to try reinventing the wheel.
To create another monster of Frankenstein on eBay, the desired headset with a defect was bought for 500 rubles – only the absence of one of the headphones was declared from the faults.
As spare parts, it was decided to use the AKG headset from the Galaxy S8 kit, which I like in sound quality. By the way, this faulty headset was purchased by me a few weeks earlier from a friend for a penny (200 rubles) – the plug of the headset simply broke.
But, given that, in fact, I only need drivers from it, this option more than suited me. To be honest, I have been hatching this idea for a long time. And if a faulty one had not turned up, the same own one, perfectly working, would have gone to the expense.
So, the headset has arrived. After a cursory examination, which confirmed the declared characteristics and malfunctions, we begin the process of creating a monster.
First, we disassemble the headset. This is done easily and naturally – the cases are latched. The main thing is not to use a metal tool – leave burrs and scuffs.
We open the right and left blocks in a circle.
Let's take a look inside.
Two boards are found inside, one with electronics and controls, the other with batteries.
Since we are inside, it is a sin not to take the opportunity and not to take a closer look.
In order to get to the insides, we cut off the wires from the boards – we still need to change everything.
And here is the battery pack. There is also a vibration motor. Everything is very compact.
An interesting point – there are two batteries, and they suspiciously resemble those used in bracelets Xiaomi Mi Band 2 … It’s strange, why would that be. Well, okay, this is not surprising – many components are sold and bought by manufacturers among themselves.
Nothing more interesting.
The other side is a block with control keys. In addition to the keys and the charging connector, there are two microphones for the operation of the noise canceling system, as well as a solid connector to which nothing is connected. Strange, what is he for?
Well, okay, not until now. Go ahead.
Let's remove the second parts of the housings. To do this, unscrew the two screws that connect the body baths and the headband. Then peel off the contact pad.
The headband itself is also made unusually – the wires are passed through the entire arc and have clamping contact pads. This makes it easier to assemble and disassemble the device than it could have been if they had a different design.
At the base of the headband there are two seals (clamps) for the cable that hold the wires of the headphones – do not lose them, they will still come in handy.
It's time to prepare your headphones.
To do this, mercilessly cut off all unnecessary.
There is one problem – on the right side in the middle of the cable is the remote control. Then I was faced with a choice – to leave the remote control so that there was enough length, or to try to extend the cable using an insert from another part. Both options are dubious. In the first case, a remote control that does not carry any functionality will dangle on the earpiece. In the second, the joint will be visible on the cable. We choose the second option, since the remote control is still a larger 'collective farm'.
To do this, we cut the main cable, remove the excess cores from it and measure the required length. For connection, we prepare a heat shrink tube.
Then we solder the wires, insulate the place of soldering with tape (do not laugh, tape is the easiest option without increasing the dimensions of the connection). We reinforce the connection with Kevlar thread, which was found inside the wire, and then mask the place of soldering with a heat shrink tube.
Alas, it didn't work out to find the heat shrinkage of the right color, so I hope the black won't stand out much.
Now our task is to pass the wire into the standard clamps in order to maintain a presentable and neat appearance. This turns out to be an interference, since the wire of these headphones is slightly thicker than the wire installed by the manufacturer.
We pass the wires into the case, trying not to confuse them in places.
To do this, at the ends of the headband, on the reverse side, there are embossed designations of the sides that are not visible when the headset is assembled. Apparently, these designations are made precisely to simplify assembly. Next to the screw sleeve is the letter R, on the other side, respectively, L (I apologize for the quality of shooting in this place).
After the wires are passed into the clamps, and the clamps are installed in the headband, we fasten the lower baths of the bodies.
We align the headphones in length, and drip a drop of glue into the clamps so that the wires do not stretch during operation.
Then we solder the wires to the boards, observing the polarity, and finally assemble the headset.
We are testing.
It is alive, it is alive !!! Oh, that is, everything works, hurray!
Conclusion
The result is a weird product that combines quality drivers and wireless convenience. Actually, exactly what I wanted.
If we talk about the sound quality, then in comparison with the original version created by the manufacturer, the advantage is definitely on the side of the resulting hybrid.
If we talk about the expediency of such an option from the point of view of a common man in the street, then the answer will be unambiguous – for the majority, the game is not worth it, and there is no point in bothering so much. For those who love tinkering and who are not alien to the spirit of invention, this option has the right to life, both in terms of saving money (800 rubles for everything) and in terms of improving product characteristics. Interesting hobbies for you. And I went to think what else to break something like that.