"Mad Dog" by MrSpeakers, modified Fostex T50RP review - Page 216  

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmoney9438 

I apologize if this is already mentioned, but what are the alpha pads trying to accomplish in terms of the sound? How about compared to the Dog Pads? I ordered a pair. Just curious now.

1) Enhance clarity through the whole spectrum

2) Provide better presence in the mids

3) Further smooth the frequency response

4) Tighten and smooth the bass

5) Isolate even better

6) Provide soundstage on par with the best open phones

7) Improve dynamics at all volume levels, and sound better on lower-end amps/portable media players

I was a tester of the new Alpha Pads. I had MD with Dog Pads and received the Alpha Pads for testing. I was very impressed from the first moment!

The soundstage is wider and deeper, the sound is a bit brighter and has more definition, resolution and natural color of recording.

I really love how MD reproduces vocals such as Cassandra Wilson, Dead Can Dance, Diana Krall. The Die Kunst der Fuge by New Century Saxophone Quartet sounded unbelievably smooth and present.

I compared the Denon to MD with two different setups. One of the setups provided much better soundstage, more pronounced/defined details and the better instrument positioning. The difference was much more dramatic with MDs.

Replacing the pads was very easy and took me 5min at most.

IMO the new pads are as comfortable as the Dog pad.

I really love the MD.  Dan, thank you for the great hp and incredible customer service!

Per Currawong's request...

Just got Alpha Pads. Wow, they are definitely not home sewn, top notch, commercial quality.

Followed the instruction, a bit confused, seems like there is a lot of dampening material that gets removed.

- First, I had black foam disk behind the Dog ear pad, I got rid of it.

- Second, around the driver there was white foam tape glued to driver enclosure, I gently pulled it up and discarded as well.

- The only thing left is black foam around the driver, and the only protection for the exposed driver is thin mesh of the new pad.

Does that sound right or I messed something up?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT 

Just got Alpha Pads. Wow, they are definitely not home sewn, top notch, commercial quality.

 

Followed the instruction, a bit confused, seems like there is a lot of dampening material that gets removed.

- First, I had black foam disk behind the Dog ear pad, I got rid of it.

- Second, around the driver there was white foam tape glued to driver enclosure, I gently pulled it up and discarded as well.

- The only thing left is black foam around the driver, and the only protection for the exposed driver is thin mesh of the new pad.

 

Does that sound right or I messed something up?
 

Sounds right - We had LOTS of discussion during the test - At first I left the white tape and big foam disk.  Once I understood what to do, I did what you describe above.  It sounds better when you install properly!  You did well.

What do you think of them?

Quote:

Originally Posted by aamefford 

Sounds right - We had LOTS of discussion during the test - At first I left the white tape and big foam disk.  Once I understood what to do, I did what you describe above.  It sounds better when you install properly!  You did well.

 

What do you think of them?

Definitely airier and treblier, before it was quite darker than LCD-2.2, new pads made them closer in timbre. Of course comfort is amazing, was very nice with Dog Pads but with these I can't feel the phones on the head, they just disappear, almost like MDR-1R but Mad Dogs are like three times their weight. Something Audeze need to look into, learn from.

And thanks for confirmation.

I'm paying attention for when my Alpha pads arrive.... 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT 

Just got Alpha Pads. Wow, they are definitely not home sewn, top notch, commercial quality.

 

Followed the instruction, a bit confused, seems like there is a lot of dampening material that gets removed.

- First, I had black foam disk behind the Dog ear pad, I got rid of it.

- Second, around the driver there was white foam tape glued to driver enclosure, I gently pulled it up and discarded as well.

- The only thing left is black foam around the driver, and the only protection for the exposed driver is thin mesh of the new pad.

 

Does that sound right or I messed something up?
 

My Alpha pads are coming. The replacement seem a little less simple than initially described (which material to be removed).

^^ It's easy. If you have the black foam disk, then take it out. Later revisions with dogpads had the foam disk sewn into the pad, earlier ones did not. The pull off the white foam tape and install the new pads. It will take five minutes. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armaegis 

On the subject of leather care, I've used hand/face moisturizer on pads before with no adverse effect. (and my face was fine too, thanks for asking ) I'm sure it depends on the kind used, but I'm just throwing that out there. 

Moisturizer sounds like a good bet. I had success using a bit of coconut oil on my Jmoney Beyer leather pads (and other leather stuff). Tropical Traditions sells an unscented and flavorless coconut oil that is cheap and great for cooking and skincare, too. http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/pure-coconut-oil.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballard3 

My Alpha pads are coming. The replacement seem a little less simple than initially described (which material to be removed).

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattTCG 

^^ It's easy. If you have the black foam disk, then take it out. Later revisions with dogpads had the foam disk sewn into the pad, earlier ones did not. The pull off the white foam tape and install the new pads. It will take five minutes. 

Dan said (in PM) that alpha pads will come with installation instructions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nam3less 

 

Dan said (in PM) that alpha pads will come with installation instructions.

They do, still could be better if Dan had some installation picture on his site, less questions would be asked.

Alpha Pads on the way ladeedadeedaaa hoppin' on that bandwagonnnn