Velour/Felt Pads for ATH-M50? - Page 13

What do you mean by "taped the back of the velour pads"?? So there are two tape mods you can do with the M50...? I remember seeing a image of the taped holes, but I haven't seen with with tape velour pads...
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aflac 

 

 The velours don't lose too much isolation on the inside, but have mild leak issues at somewhat-louder-than-normal volumes. I have impressions of the sound with velours and with velours plus taped backs a few posts up. I've never done the tape-holes-under-pad mod so I'm not sure about that.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagelou 

What do you mean by "taped the back of the velour pads"?? So there are two tape mods you can do with the M50...? I remember seeing a image of the taped holes, but I haven't seen with with tape velour pads...
 

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/414574/velour-felt-pads-for-ath-m50/135

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/470541/very-simple-ath-m50-balance-mod-less-bass-more-mids

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagelou 

hmm, I wouldn't mind a tad bit more bass, but if it's to the point where its "super extra uber bass", I think I'm going to have to pass on this mod...by "it messes with the sound too", do you mean that the taping also messes with the mids and treble? Also, how much isolation is lost? (if the stock ones are 100% isolation, what % isolation do the velours give at the same volume and environment?) Thanks~

 

Quote:

 

Just the stock velour pads give them a disgusting amount of bass and suck the life out of the mids.  Even with all the holes covered IIRC it might have helped a little, but TBH I didn't give it much time since the change was unacceptable.  Again, I didn't really spend much time with the tape mod, but even just that with the pleather pads if I remember right did something weird to the mids.  I think the difference was small, but it reduced the bass extension/impact and colored the mids.  Don't quote me on that I don't exactly, but the change was along those lines.  I didn't give it much time since it didn't improve anything.  The isolation wasn't much difference IIRC, a little worse I think.

Seriously though, I don't know why this thread is still alive.  Velour pads don't work.  Modded pads don't work.  Unless of course you don't notice large colorations to sound, but in that case you probably don't visit this site much less own a $100 pair of headphones.  Maybe it's the hype the M50's are now getting; ppl are buying them that can't handle pleather pads.  Someone needs to warn those guys.

To be perfectly honest, I don't mind the pleather pads at all.  I wanted to get velour just because they tend to be more comfortable.  The pleather pads would only bother me if I lived in mid 80F + weather most of the year.  Even then, the beyer dt250 pads aren't that much more comfortable or even cooler.  They are closer around the ear and clamp harder than the pleather unless you give them time to break in (from what I've read).  I honestly tried to like them, but the change is too drastic.  Picture one of those old amps with a 7 band graphic equalizer on it.  The sound difference is literally like cranking the bass all the way up and the mids and treble all the way down.  That totally defeats the purpose of having studio monitors.

I'm perfectly serious.  If you don't like pleather, get the beyer DT770 250ohm or 600ohm. (or similar)  Comparable headphones in every way.  Look up comparison threads between the dt770 250 and the M50 and you'll see they come very close.  IIRC some ppl say the beyers are better in some areas.  It's time ppl stop wasting money on expensive pads.  For the price of a pair of m50s plus a couple pairs of pads, you'll end up with headphones you're not happy with when you could've spent it all at once on the beyers and been happy.

The M50 pleather pads are not like other pleather pads, IME. They're harder and barely circumaural for my ears, which means they press up against the edges of my ear. This does not usually happen with other pleather earpads that I've tried. The cracking issue that a lot of M50s apparently experience is another cause for concern, a sign that the pleather they use is cheap.

But, I agree re: the use of DT250 velour pads - they are no good and do bad things to the sound. There may be other pads out there that will work, so people shouldn't stop experimenting. It's all in the spirit of DIY, anyway. Where's the fun in using a pair of headphones completely bone stock?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeNmAc 

 Even with all the holes covered IIRC it might have helped a little, but TBH I didn't give it much time since the change was unacceptable.  Again, I didn't really spend much time with the tape mod, but even just that with the pleather pads if I remember right did something weird to the mids.  I think the difference was small, but it reduced the bass extension/impact and colored the mids.  Don't quote me on that I don't exactly, but the change was along those lines.  I didn't give it much time since it didn't improve anything.  The isolation wasn't much difference IIRC, a little worse I think.

Sounds like you didn't play around with the patterns or materials very much on the tape mod like you said.  There is a lot of tunability there.  Done right it can bring mids forward slightly and tighten the bass a bit.  Balance mod does nothing to reduce or improve isolation.  Your descriptions sound more like the 840 pad swap to me.  Balance mod also can't increase bass, whoever thought that? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aflac 

The M50 pleather pads are not like other pleather pads, IME. They're harder and barely circumaural for my ears, which means they press up against the edges of my ear. This does not usually happen with other pleather earpads that I've tried. The cracking issue that a lot of M50s apparently experience is another cause for concern, a sign that the pleather they use is cheap.

 

But, I agree re: the use of DT250 velour pads - they are no good and do bad things to the sound. There may be other pads out there that will work, so people shouldn't stop experimenting. It's all in the spirit of DIY, anyway. Where's the fun in using a pair of headphones completely bone stock?

The pleather is actually much higher quality than the stuff you get with cheap headphones that's as thick as a plastic bag.  The pads will crack after a while if you bend them any other way besides toward your head :D.

Lol, you could strap just about any pads on them and they will still make sound.  The point is, each pad is designed for a headphone.  They won't sound the same.  Sure you may get lucky and find one that is very very similar.  Normally I'd agree with you.  I'm very much a DIY type of person.  This is one area where it doesn't really work, I've found this out by experience.  The pads are a crucial part of the headphone.  It's like taking a pair of speakers engineered by professionals and swapping out the enclosure.  Sure it's going to sound good, but it wont be the same.  Why? the speakers are designed with that enclosure in mind.  The designers took everything into account when designing it from distance between speakers to volume of the cabinet to damping mats. to port size to baffle shape....  You go and change that and sure you might get lucky and it'll sound good, but chances are it'll mean the crossover won't do it's job right and you'll get a peak here, a dip there and a bunch of other problems you may or may not realize until much later.  Similarly, with headphones the pads make a seal between the drivers and your ears.  You may not even realize how many factors change the sound.  How tight the pads stick to the headphones, how tight they stick to your face, the volume between them and your ear, the shape...  Tons of factors like that need to be worked out and engineered to complement the drivers.

I don't mean to be all negative, I'm typing this in a bit of a hurry so I apologize if I come off as sounding rude.  Be careful of your last sentence.  That's what gets people spending thousands on solid silver cables and earcups made of rare (polished) wood.  I agree with you guys that you should experiment around, if something doesn't work, make it work etc.  There is a difference between cheap tricks to get the most for your money and blindly sinking money into placebo gear that looks cool.  I know that sounds rude, but it is not meant to be.  I hope you understand my point.  Some things are just already designed to the smallest detail and messing with them will only make it worse.  Other times things are intentionally left wrong that modding will help, or stuff can be improved because it's cheaper for the manufacturer to make without etc.  Don't blindly think the designers are right, but don't think mods always work either .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

Sounds like you didn't play around with the patterns or materials very much on the tape mod like you said.  There is a lot of tunability there.  Done right it can bring mids forward slightly and tighten the bass a bit.  Balance mod does nothing to reduce or improve isolation.  Your descriptions sound more like the 840 pad swap to me.  Balance mod also can't increase bass, whoever thought that? 

 

I did experiment.  The problem is you end up with peaks and tiny colorations and such.  It's not all linear changes if that makes any sense.  I tried different arrangements and different amounts of holes covered.  In the end the slight extra bass of the stock m50 doesn't bother me because my cheap source is light on bass.  Don't get me wrong guys, I of all people spend a lot of time messing with mods and stuff and I encourage it.  IIRC the bass lost extension and such, in the end I think stock is better.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeNmAc 

 

I did experiment.  The problem is you end up with peaks and tiny colorations and such.  It's not all linear changes if that makes any sense.  I tried different arrangements and different amounts of holes covered.  In the end the slight extra bass of the stock m50 doesn't bother me because my cheap source is light on bass.  Don't get me wrong guys, I of all people spend a lot of time messing with mods and stuff and I encourage it.  IIRC the bass lost extension and such, in the end I think stock is better.
 

Ok, you said you didn't mess around much w/ the mod then you say you did.  Your synergy is bass light but stock is better for everyone.  Just saying a 'YMMV' might be cool for some folks new to this stuff.    Plus, if one underpowers them that's another consideration.

Thanks for all the help guys~

I think I'm gonna pass on this mod and keep the pleathers, and invest the money toward a future portable amp xD

Where might I find the cheapest stock pleather cushions that ship to Canada?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeNmAc 

...I'm perfectly serious.  If you don't like pleather, get the beyer DT770 250ohm or 600ohm. (or similar)  Comparable headphones in every way.  Look up comparison threads between the dt770 250 and the M50 and you'll see they come very close.  IIRC some ppl say the beyers are better in some areas.  It's time ppl stop wasting money on expensive pads.  ...

In theory yes, but an MP3 player can't drive the Beyer due to his higher impedance. DT770 = 250ohm and M50 = 38ohm

Indeed, the reason why M50 is so FOTYAY is because of 1) decent all-around sound, 2) versatile - easily driven, and 3) (relatively) very cheap. It has its downfalls, seems like the major one being the pleather cushions, but most people worry very little about headphone cushions when they buy headphones.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spara 

In theory yes, but an MP3 player can't drive the Beyer due to his higher impedance. DT770 = 250ohm and M50 = 38ohm

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerg 

Where might I find the cheapest stock pleather cushions that ship to Canada?

Stereotype Audio is a Canadian company that carries the Shure 840 pads which fit on the M50 (and which I find more comfortable and offers better isolation).

http://www.stereotypeaudio.com/store/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=4&products_id=121&osCsid=74b6f0cf839694fdf5fac73d519c5a35

Nice

What about durability? Will it last longer (less prone to over-time sweat induced hardening and cracking)? If so, how much longer?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armaegis 

 

Stereotype Audio is a Canadian company that carries the Shure 840 pads which fit on the M50 (and which I find more comfortable and offers better isolation).

http://www.stereotypeaudio.com/store/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=4&products_id=121&osCsid=74b6f0cf839694fdf5fac73d519c5a35

 

I can't say for certain. I just like the 840 pads more because they're more comfortable.

Have you looked at Sweetwater yet for the 840 pads? I don't know what the shipping would cost to Canada, but it's free to the cont US, and the people there are SO customer service oriented that they may cut you a deal. It's where I bought mine (for around $15), and - though I hated the sound and took them off fast - the buying experience couldn't have been better.