Don't be sorry, it was a very good video. I would say 10 times better than what Zeos made in his video about pads. BTW the longer I compare Zeos videos to other audio RU-vidrs like yourself the more I came to a conclusion that while he is entertaining his videos are the worst in terms of actual information on sound signature. And you are one of the better source in that department so keep up the good work :)
I watch both and I still trust Zeos. If you need a quick idea of whether a pair headphones is good you just watch a bit of a Z review and then compare and contrast with other videos. Also if you have a pair of analytical headphones you can use the sound demos Z provides to compare them. Is it as good as being there with the headphones on your head? No, of course not but you can pick out characteristics of a headphone.
Agreed - I’d always prefer a detailed review with time stamps (we can always watch on a faster speed if pressed for time). So long as everything you put in the script is relevant and important to pass on, it’s worth sharing and that’s what we’re here for.
I saw your video before buying new pads for my edifier w820bt and I've chosen more thick hybrid ones (pu leather and velour) based on your opinion. Dude, it's exaclty as you described. Bass, comfort, less high peaks (for me this is awesome) and A LOT of details. It has totally changed the headphone sound. My experience with it is even better. Now I'm listening everything that I like again hahaha. Thanks a lot for the great content.
The oval hybrid brainwavz turned my 450BTs from headphones I couldn’t wear for more than an hour due to fatigue to the most comfortable Bluetooth headphones I own. Thanks for the video you’re a life saver!
I enjoy his stage presence, hand movement presentation. After seeing bad hand movements in some people, I appreciate someone who knows how to properly use gestures.
Regarding the depth of pads and its affect on bass, I had always assumed that deeper would provide more surface area to reinforce/amplify the bass, but with my HD650's, for example, I have found that bass increases (and I think treble actually decreases) as the pads get older and more compressed...so less deep. Also, I have experienced similar when I have tried pushing headphones onto my head, so that the drivers are nearer my ears. I know with closed backs this is sometimes because the seal improves, but I've also found it the case with already well sealed closed backs and with open backs. Having said all this, a slightly deeper/bigger set of pads with my K371's did increase bass.
One thing you didn't mention on comfort is that for some headphones getting more depth on the pad can save a headphone from crushing your ears, especially if you're somebody with a bigger head (and therefore ears) or more sticky out ears
nice video, I have my monitor headphones which obviously use all leather pads. These are great at isolation which often I need in my house while gaming or need concentration. When I really want detail and have a quiet area to listen to music then I go velour. They seem to have the most natural sonic character with no manipulation to the original song, but do require a very quiet room to fully appreciate.
Going back in time to this video, it's crazy to see how much you've improved your editing and general quality. The audio and visuals were still pretty nice, though.
You can make pads really cheaply if you know how to use a sewing machine and get whatever material fits your preference like I made super plush soft leather ear pads out of a old welding jacket and purple foam for the cushion on the inside
Hey guys. The hybrid Hifiman velour/microfiber base with leather on the outside is actually quite scratchy on your face compared to leather/pleather. The super soft Alcantara that my HD800 has is a super duper soft comfortable material. Hope this helps someone. Sadly there are no full leather or Alcantera pad replacements for the large yolk Arya/Ananda/etc shape so far including none from Dekoni so far as of Aug 2020 I believe
I'm a bit late to the party, but I can't help but point out that Joshua Valour should clearly recommend velour. (damn, I'm corny... yet despite stopping myself from hitting "comment" for the last 15 minutes, I'm doing it anyways).
Thanks for the video, this was super informative. I bought perforated leather thinking it would be the middle ground of the bassy full leather and the airy velour.... I was wrong. The perforated leather lost all the crisp details I was use to hearing on my Audio-Technica ADG1X. Your explanation was an exact match to my situation. I'm going to try full leather next, and if that fails, I'll just stick with velour.
@@mrplumpkin_x3c The full leather did lose some of the airy details, but gave a little more bass. I really like the look and feel of blue full leather on my blue ADG1x, so I accepted the compromise. I just surprised by how bad the perforated leather killed the details in the sound.
Re Brainwavz XL fitted to AKG K5500 - likes: readily available, easy to fit, comfortable, good external sound exclusion. Dislikes: thicker than the originals. This moves the drivers further away from the ears and this affects the sound more than you might expect. Test by pressing the back of the headphones with your fingers which move the drivers closer to your ears. The sound changes a lot - warmer and more engaging to my ears, although the sound otherwise is acceptable. If AKG make the originals available again I will buy them, but these will do in the meantime.
Love my combination of ZMF Ori Hybrids on the TH900mk2 (with Dekoni attenuation rings). They take out that little pinch of highs which were too much for me in longer listening sessions. Bass got, i dont know how to say it but just more Balanced. Feels like the V-Shape got a little bit flattened but without losing the TH900's bass abilities and also improves it. Also they are 1000x more comfortable than stock pads :)
Why? Lol. Z is great and has done this for a long time, he earned his subscribers. These two are both different and both great, whats wrong with variety and entertainment?
You can't really compare them, they make totally different kind of content. We have two really cool but very different channels. Also Z has been in the game a lot longer
A while ago I put ZMF lambskin pads and the headband on my logitech g933 and it worked a charm. Not only are they extremely comfortable but the sound got cupped in and believe it or not the sound quality drastically improved
I know this is an older vid Josh but I found it very informative. I've opted for the Brainwavz angled pads and a new headband cover for my ATH-WS1100is - whatever the hell Audio Technica chose to cover the foam with is flaking off already and I refuse to spend serious dollars on replacement parts for something that lasts for years on headphones from Beyerdynamic and others. Sennheiser seems to have settled on the same supplier - no doubt a lowballer from China who really couldnt give a crap about customer satisfaction over the longer term. How is it that my old Koss Portapros are still holding together while more expensive cans literally decompose in front of you ? Shameful QC, Thanks for the video.
Listening to you because my new Meze 99 Noirs are extremely sibilant. Fyi, the audio EQ on your channel is top notch and you sound less sibilant on these than any other source I've tried. Great job with your recording and production.
Thanks a bunch for the video, this was really great. By far the most helpful explanation I've seen of how different materials affect sound signature. I'd be curious to see how the new Brainwavz Sheepskin Suede pads compare.
I simply LOVE my Dekoni elite hybrid sound signature with DT1990s.. From stock pads I definitely preffered the Analytical ones , I found the Balanced losing too much detail for my taste especially in the mids.. Now Elite velour is even better in the lows and creates amazing quality bass while keeping end emphazising the mids a bit more and even a tad the highs creating an amazing sound signature.. I'm definitely not the most knowledgeable person but I'm almost certain that the Elite Velour is the perfect match for the DT1990..
I bought some 16 dollar pleather replacement pads to replace my Itchy X2HR velour pads and they sound just as good as the stock pads as best I can tell .
Good stuff and something I've been hoping other people would've done or documented a long time ago. For the most part, I agree with your findings with the exception of the perforated leathers. From my experience, they tend to not decrease highs but increase clarity by reducing bass. However, this might be due to headphones I used (ad1000x, ad2000, w5000, argon mk3) and the make/brand (zmf auteur). I guess to further contribute to the conversation, I'll add my findings on other zmf types. Pleather (oval and eikons) tend to makes things more v-shaped, with the ovals having more violent (mid)bass. Suede (eikons) tend to increase and clean up bass while making highs less fatiguing. Cowhide (oval) follows suede sonic pattern but further warms up mids. The most interesting is sheepskin (universe) because I once had dekoni sheepskin th900. They follow your interpretation of how leathers affect sound, but the th900 pads muddied the mids a bit more. I'm really interested on what physical aspect of the pads led to this difference. If it's thickness of the sheepskin itself, then I fear the pad rabbit hole goes deeper than I thought it did.
TH900 is a very bassy headphone and I mean, have you seen the frequency response? If you add anything to contribute to more bass, I wouldn't be surprised to see the midrange go to shits and beyond.
WildStyle I think there's a misunderstanding. I wasn't referring to a th900 itself, but a pad dekoni specifies for the th900, but can be used on other headphones.
dekoni sheepskin Th900 pads on AD1000x, AD2000, W5000, and argon mk3. I expected the muddiness with the open models given that it went from a more open pad to a closed one. The changes in the w5000 are a bit more confusing given that the dekoni pad follows the same shape and material as the stock pad with about double the thickness. The universe pad is the same material with about triple the thickness of the stock w5000 pad, but sounds sounds closer to stock than the dekoni pad (to my ears). I've no idea what properties involved result in more clarity.
That is most certainly intriguing. You sure it's not placebo? There is still the materials inside, that may affect the sound. Since it is meant for TH900, maybe the pads by default have something to them. But don't think to hard about it, I have long since given up on understand how this all works, because in the end you are still confused about one or another aspect of thins hobby.
How do different leathers compare in sound and comfort? What sort of animals are leather made from? I know some are sheepskin but what else? I would assume deer but I'd like that confirmed. I used to work in a leather wearhouse so I am a bit of a leather nerd.
There's this no name pad that I absolutely love. Standard oval shape but its so deep that it doesn't let the tip of my ear touch the headphone. Its also really cheap so you can buy them by the droves. Downside is because they're cheap, the material pleather easily sheds off overtime. Like, maybe half a year or something. I would say that the back end is two inches, the front is an inch. I use them on my HE400i, stretching them out so that they're round. I would like to find a similar earpad but rather than pleather, its some lasting material.
I need to get full leather since all the breathable pads do in my weather is allow sweat to be absorbed into the pads and not actually "vent" the heat away.
I got the HE4XX a couple of months ago, I love the sound but the stock pads get a bit sweaty. So I bought some suede zmf ori pads for them. I think it's lambskin suede because it's so soft. Turns out I'm not sure I like the change in sound. The ori pads took the edge off the highs, darkened the sound a bit and I didn't notice any increase in bass, just some slight muddiness. Also the ori pads hold the drivers slightly further from your ears which I'm sure affects clarity. I've actually put the stock pads back on. The ori pads can be for gaming because they're more comfortable over time.
@@intoitreviews glad to hear this, I just joined the drop on massdrop for them. I love the he4xx, but I hate velour, I can't stand dust on pads,the feel of velour just isn't comfortable, and the original pads are more stiff then I'd like. Sound signature is great, so I want to keep that with the he4xx
Dekoni pads are really nice but the adhesive they use is really weak and came apart after like 3 months... twice. Ended up going Brainwavz and after a year, they still feel nice.
Hi Joshua, thanks for this informative video. I hv sennheiser HD450BT, the quality is good m, but poor pads cushion. Can you suggest me the best pads replacement for it? Thanks
@@scuba453 Yeah i did find finally. Micro Suede is the best for warm countries. But do make sure you are buying a headphones which has third party cushion sellers
Hi guys. What pads do you recommend for Hifiman HE-500? I use thease velour box pads. Leather sounds worse for me. I would like them to be more comfortable and have good detail.
Stay away from Dekoni. Thickness of the pads is part of the headphones sound and design, and they are way too thick. I got a pair recently for my HD 800's, the impact on the sound was massive. Way harsher in the highs, thinner low end, and I had to push the volume 2 dB in order to get the same loudness I was getting because obviously they push the speaker further away from your ear. I mix a lot with those headphones and know them really well, the pads were removed 30 seconds after listening, it was so obvious. They can be a pain to remove btw.
I want as flat of a sound signal as possible. I'm a producer so when mixing you want to have the sound as flat as possible so that it sounds good on any devise basically. What is the best option here? great job on the vid btw
Thanks, I'm looking for pads for my Koss pro4aa. I love the sound signature with a nice even and extended bass but the pads are very hot and my ears actually touch the inner screen. I can't wear them for more than an hour usually. I was going to get the velour but this video convinced me to try the hybrid instead since I don't want the bass absorbed. The Bainwaves are on sale now and the Dekoni are too expensive for me to put on a $75 headphone. Good info.
Oh man. I'd like to reduce a little of high, and let some of the bass escape, reduce the boom on my Sony's. But I can't use fabrics, I tried something referred as "sport fabric" and "Ice Silk" and a few others I don't know the naming. So far they were all itchy, irritating or got hotter than the Pu Leather I have and genuine leather I've used. Any chance there's one that have airy,material on the whole pad and leather where it touch my skin? Maybe try perforated leather? I also haven't tried full velour, but pretty sure it'll make me hotter. Contrary to what everyone says about hot climate. I live in hot and humid climate. And run hot, produce lot of heat. And fuzzy materials, like velvet or fur, trap that heat. The silk ones are cool to the touch. But when I put them on, very quickly get heated up because of me. My protein leather ones, (the ones that came with my Sony's) don't feel cool normally, but they regulate the temperature better. They get warm but never bothersome. I have wear them for hours. Maybe I've just had very bad luck with the fabric ones I've tried. I mean, I've used polyester that was incredibly uncomfortable, while also some of my most comfortable clothes are or have polyester. Just like porous scruffy cotton vs smooth soft cotton. I think I'm gonna give Brainwavz perforated a chance.
My DT770 Pro 80 ohm headphones are a bit uncomfortable on my right ear (?!) probably because I wear glasses. Are there any pads you guys would recommend?
Hi Josh, nice and detailed explanation! IYO, what is the best alternative pads for HD650/6xx? Stock pads, while sounding great, they are not really that comfortable.
Hi Josh great interesting video, I been changing pads on my Senn hd660s1, and 6xx, I already fitted custom cans bass mod and fitted velour 1.25” thick pads on my 6xx, and thicker pads in 660s1and does sound a bit more bass, it’s interesting that I have old hd575 and that had 1.25” thick pads but as you know Senn are 3/4” pads as standard now .the pads I have already fitted made my headphones even more comfortable over the standard that sennheiser supplied. Regards mark
I should have watched this earlier. Just bought a velour brainwavz for my ath-m40x. It makes my cans sounded way less bassy, which i didn't like it :'). Luckily i have a gaming headphone, and it makes my super bassy gaming headphone into more enjoyable bass in my honest opinion.
What pads would you recommend for HD58X? I was considering Fenestrated Sheepskin vs Skeepskin vs. Hybrid. Looking at Dekoni mostly. I'm not really into the velour pads that come with them... they remind me of a car from the 1990's. I really wish there was a fenestrated inside, fenestrated ear-side, regular sheepskin outside, but alas there there doesn't seem to be...
@@intoitreviews Yesss I got the sheepskin for my 58X's too (although the cheaper NewFantasia one on Amazon) and i definitely also think it helped the sound a lot. But the fenestrated sounded a lot different? How?
Hey. I just got myself the brainwavs XL perforated leather for my dt1990 and they sound very close to the balanced pads but give a 25 percent bigger soundstage than the balanced pads too. Once you have tried these you will realise your search for pads will ha e come to an end. These are the ones you will thank me later.
I don't want to change my ath-m40x sound signature(little increase of bass won't be a fact) but I want to have comfort and little thick cushions and want durability please suggest me Sir
Well, if you want best sound, zmf oval cowhide...but...saying that, they will be huge, rediculass looking, and stiff. They are comfortable, but they dont have a ton of squish.
So is leather going to be the best for passive noise cancellation? And if you go velour or microfiber, doesn't that materiel absorb all of the oils from your skin? With my current stock fake leather pads, I can just wipe that away easily.
Looking to replace my hd650 pads, leaning towards hybrid but people seem to favor the velour (which is cheaper) but I think hybrid might feel a bit better, both should be comfy though
Anyone have recommendations for pad swap on HE4XX? I tend to like vocals with still an enjoyable amount of bass. Was thinking of getting a sheepskin pad for them cause I like the feeling of the material in general but wonder how the different pads would affect the sound.
People are changing stock he4xx pads for ori lambskin or ori lambskin perforated. I personally have no knowledge about either of these yet but I'm probably gonna get the lambskin ori perforated. Then I could tell something but for now you can search the web for that info 😉
Will the Brainwavz Hybrid Memory Foam Earpad fit the senheiser pxc 550? Im looking for something that is a little more roomy than the stock pads, but that wont change the sound in a negative way. Great video btw!
I use Brainwavz XL Hybrid Pads with my AKG Studio240. Bass its definitely raise, and high are lowered. These are mostly my daily drivers, whenever I'm not doing any analytical listening.
I just ordered my M1060 and looking for pads to upgrade the sound. I saw the comment below that you recommend Dekoni Hybrid. I also saw someone recommend Brainwavz XL Hybrid. Did you ever tried or how do you compare these 2 earpads?
I had some brainwavz and they feel apart. So wouldn't buy from them again. Find it interesting whether they change the sonic properties of the headphones.
Great and informative video., nice job I have a question.., I have a dt880 premium 250 ohms., im thinking about the brainwavz xl sheepskin pads., will it improve/increase the bass while maintaning the mids and decrease the highs a bit.,? Or what can you suggest.,? Thanks
So, I know I am coming to the party a little late here, but; what would you suggest for something like a pair of headrush [hrf 581] headphones with rectangular earpieces? I have a pair that I want to fix up as a backup, since they still work beautifully, just the earpads are buggered.
