Hawaiibadboy gonna have to reply with no quotes, sorry, I'm on mobile and it doesn't want to quote you.

What do you mean by the melt your face thing? You mean you don't like the term? Or someone told you the Q40's will have face melting bass, then they obviously turned out not?
I get that feeling, really do, it's pure disappointment. Im tired of hunting and then being let down, with headphones and earphones.

So I should really only be looking at the top 5 for the best?
What makes the V-MODAs not be in the top 5, I would have thought they were good enough to be up there.
I've never really taken pads serious, I guess I'll have to start. What pads you recommend for the SZ2K or V-MODAs?

So I'll be getting the E12 shortly after I get the cans. I was going to get a pair of speakers and a Dayton SUB 1200, but I think I'd rather have a beast of a set of cans for now. I am okay doing a bit of an EQ, but I am not good making a totally custom one from flat. Like if I just need to adjust a couple or few sliders, I can do it, but having to perfect every one of them is a problem for me. Like I change a couple, then I have to adjust another because it doesn't sound right, still not good, have to adjust more, now it sounds weird, then I am lost and start randomly moving stuff...
If it helps, can I get a USB DAC or sound card for my pc?

It's basically come down to the SZ2K or the V-MODAs. I'll probably try the sz2k first, but I would like to hear a couple others from this list with at least the v moda. I'll look again at the list and watch them again and go from there, but definitely want to try the sz2k and V-MODAs. I wish there was like a store around me that had them in to listen to, like that Japanese (Korean? Don't remember) that had that huge headphone store around him and took pictures of it all.

shibesuchbass said:

@Hawaiibadboy gonna have to reply with no quotes, sorry, I'm on mobile and it doesn't want to quote you.

What do you mean by the melt your face thing? You mean you don't like the term? Or someone told you the Q40's will have face melting bass, then they obviously turned out not?
I get that feeling, really do, it's pure disappointment. Im tired of hunting and then being let down, with headphones and earphones.

So I should really only be looking at the top 5 for the best?
What makes the V-MODAs not be in the top 5, I would have thought they were good enough to be up there.
I've never really taken pads serious, I guess I'll have to start. What pads you recommend for the SZ2K or V-MODAs?

So I'll be getting the E12 shortly after I get the cans. I was going to get a pair of speakers and a Dayton SUB 1200, but I think I'd rather have a beast of a set of cans for now. I am okay doing a bit of an EQ, but I am not good making a totally custom one from flat. Like if I just need to adjust a couple or few sliders, I can do it, but having to perfect every one of them is a problem for me. Like I change a couple, then I have to adjust another because it doesn't sound right, still not good, have to adjust more, now it sounds weird, then I am lost and start randomly moving stuff...
If it helps, can I get a USB DAC or sound card for my pc?

It's basically come down to the SZ2K or the V-MODAs. I'll probably try the sz2k first, but I would like to hear a couple others from this list with at least the v moda. I'll look again at the list and watch them again and go from there, but definitely want to try the sz2k and V-MODAs. I wish there was like a store around me that had them in to listen to, like that Japanese (Korean? Don't remember) that had that huge headphone store around him and took pictures of it all.

Click to expand...

 
 
 
Picture taking dude was probably me  but I have made friends with some staff so it's a no no now since display patterns  prices etc are...kinda  company  stuff and they wanna surprise you..../keep an edge over the competition
 
 
 
You only need to eq the bass on the SZ as the amped signal is where the highs shine by not being harsh and loud. You may wanna tweak yourself but I never do any adjust for SZ besides sub-bass
 
 
 
 
Pads are firmer better kinda deal for face/ head shake. If you listen for long stretches though HM5,Alpha pads etc may be better and are surely more comfortable.
 
The M100 have an XL pad that gets the cage off your ear like secondary pads get the sz cages off your ears. Bass impact reduction would be a good question for the V-moda clique if they even exist anymore? They went from an army to almost nothing on here....very odd??

hawaiibadboy said:

Picture taking dude was probably me  but I have made friends with some staff so it's a no no now since display patterns  prices etc are...kinda  company  stuff and they wanna surprise you..../keep an edge over the competition

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Click to expand...

Wait, so you live in Japan? Or did you like travel there or something? I assumed you lived in Hawaii lol. Wish there were places like that here, or at least in Southern California.

You only need to eq the bass on the SZ as the amped signal is where the highs shine by not being harsh and loud. You may wanna tweak yourself but I never do any adjust for SZ besides sub-bass

Click to expand...

So the highs aren't as pronounced when it's amped? I was messing with EQ today on my GS5 with some EQ app, I think I'm okay with it now and I'm starting to get it. Stupid app was just giving me some problems not working sometimes.

Pads are firmer better kinda deal for face/ head shake. If you listen for long stretches though HM5,Alpha pads etc may be better and are surely more comfortable.

Click to expand...

So firmer pads are better. Sometimes I use them for 10 minutes, sometimes hours. So I would probably like to get one of each, a firm and a comfortable. I read that the HM5 are the best instead of the Alpha pads. Are velour pads any good? I would imagine faux leather would be better because they would make a seal. Just as long as the cups are deep enough for the drivers or any parts to push against my ears (makes them sore as **** after like 30 mins, this happens with the Q40'S) and that the headband does not have so much clamp force like the Q40's, but nice memory foam cups would be even better

The M100 have an XL pad that gets the cage off your ear like secondary pads get the sz cages off your ears. Bass impact reduction would be a good question for the V-moda clique if they even exist anymore? They went from an army to almost nothing on here....very odd??

Click to expand...

Pretty dumb that they don't have pads that have good clearance already stock on the cans, then theyre basically saying "yeah, we know our cans have problems, but instead of fixing it for out next batches, we're going to sell them to you for extra because you don't deserve the best." just company gain I guess, nothing we can do.
Do aftermarket pads on the SZ2K have any effect on the bass or impact? I saw your review for them and I think you said they didn't, but is that still true today? I would love to keep the vibration of the bass, so I'm worried other pads would absorb the vibration or reduce the impact. Again, do different materials have different sound changes?


Can't wait to try these, just wish they were in store, I don't even think they have many in America. Every set I've seen for sale are JDM imports.

shibesuchbass said:

Pretty dumb that they don't have pads that have good clearance already stock on the cans, then theyre basically saying "yeah, we know our cans have problems, but instead of fixing it for out next batches, we're going to sell them to you for extra because you don't deserve the best." just company gain I guess, nothing we can do.
Do aftermarket pads on the SZ2K have any effect on the bass or impact? I saw your review for them and I think you said they didn't, but is that still true today? I would love to keep the vibration of the bass, so I'm worried other pads would absorb the vibration or reduce the impact. Again, do different materials have different sound changes?

Can't wait to try these, just wish they were in store, I don't even think they have many in America. Every set I've seen for sale are JDM imports.

Click to expand...

Regarding the V-MODA M-100, the stock pads fit most people ok, including me and my big ears.  There were a few (dozens-maybe, hundreds-NO) that complained the stock pads hurt their ears so V-MODA created the XL Memory cushions.  These were tuned to keep the M-100 sound signature as close to the original pads as possible. If there are any changes it would be very subtle.  The stock pads fit me with no pain whatsoever, but I jumped on the XL pad bandwagon because - well, just because.  
 
When I changed to the XL's I got this:
1) more comfortable (my ears do not touch the inner part of the pads or the headphone drivers)
2) better bass quality and texture, quantity is slightly less
3) better soundstage (slightly wider and deeper) could be because the headphone drivers are further away from my ears
4) smoother transition from bass to mids (less V more U but still FUN!)

The mids are less recessed (more forward). All of the above are very small subtle changes.

shibesuchbass said:

Wait, so you live in Japan? Or did you like travel there or something? I assumed you lived in Hawaii lol. Wish there were places like that here, or at least in Southern California.

So the highs aren't as pronounced when it's amped? I was messing with EQ today on my GS5 with some EQ app, I think I'm okay with it now and I'm starting to get it. Stupid app was just giving me some problems not working sometimes.

So firmer pads are better. Sometimes I use them for 10 minutes, sometimes hours. So I would probably like to get one of each, a firm and a comfortable. I read that the HM5 are the best instead of the Alpha pads. Are velour pads any good? I would imagine faux leather would be better because they would make a seal. Just as long as the cups are deep enough for the drivers or any parts to push against my ears (makes them sore as **** after like 30 mins, this happens with the Q40'S) and that the headband does not have so much clamp force like the Q40's, but nice memory foam cups would be even better

Pretty dumb that they don't have pads that have good clearance already stock on the cans, then theyre basically saying "yeah, we know our cans have problems, but instead of fixing it for out next batches, we're going to sell them to you for extra because you don't deserve the best." just company gain I guess, nothing we can do.
Do aftermarket pads on the SZ2K have any effect on the bass or impact? I saw your review for them and I think you said they didn't, but is that still true today? I would love to keep the vibration of the bass, so I'm worried other pads would absorb the vibration or reduce the impact. Again, do different materials have different sound changes?


Can't wait to try these, just wish they were in store, I don't even think they have many in America. Every set I've seen for sale are JDM imports.

Click to expand...

 
I'm in it and kicking tail 
 
 
The harvested 55x pads are firm and therefore transfer the most energy to your skull as opposed to just your ear.
The softer and thicker the pads the more energy will be absorbed. I think many companies should sell pads designed just for and touted as head kickers. It makes a very very big difference. The SZ with stock pads v.s. the 55x in videos are clear as day.
The bass is identical but the energy getting through the pads to the paper is clearly not.
 
I'd get 2 sets of pads.
 
1. I'm feeling crazy
and
2. I'm feeling a little less crazy
 
 
 
The SZ are unique and on this list and in this thread without peer in bass impact. Best sound? That depends on what you like want and need.
 
Me? I got the SZ and a set of open back ma 900 that were given to me and I got all my bases covered. I can buy whatever cans i want. Those balloons and lights cost more than an HD800 and I can only use them for 4 weeks (display goods)...but the 500 buck and up cans are simply not worth it. It's a hobby and everybody is popping placebo pills like potato chips....you can't eat just one
 
 
My hunt and chase is done. I can relax and run a thread and not jump on every new can hype train....unless it's a new SZ 

hawaiibadboy said:

I'm in it and kicking tail  

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I got 4 stands and 8 balloons

*good problem*

More pics coming...and vids.

Lets see some Christmas!!



[rule]

Just throwing up lights is easy ( I got maybe 10,000 multi color LED's in a box)
This year was snow and ice

The harvested 55x pads are firm and therefore transfer the most energy to your skull as opposed to just your ear.
The softer and thicker the pads the more energy will be absorbed. I think many companies should sell pads designed just for and touted as head kickers. It makes a very very big difference. The SZ with stock pads v.s. the 55x in videos are clear as day.
The bass is identical but the energy getting through the pads to the paper is clearly not.

I'd get 2 sets of pads.

1. I'm feeling crazy
and
2. I'm feeling a little less crazy



The SZ are unique and on this list and in this thread without peer in bass impact. Best sound? That depends on what you like want and need.

Me? I got the SZ and a set of open back ma 900 that were given to me and I got all my bases covered. I can buy whatever cans i want. Those balloons and lights cost more than an HD800 and I can only use them for 4 weeks (display goods)...but the 500 buck and up cans are simply not worth it. It's a hobby and everybody is popping placebo pills like potato chips....you can't eat just one


My hunt and chase is done. I can relax and run a thread and not jump on every new can hype train....unless it's a new SZ  

Click to expand...

Hey I found you lol! Pretty awesome what you're doing. Good luck with your expansion and everything.

I think it's close to being done finally. I'm going to get the SZ2K and hopefully they are the closest to being perfect. I also want to try the V-MODAs, but I'll probably be too lazy to buy them and then probably return them or I'll end up keeping them and spending a lot. Pretty sad how they are so dead now, even the V-MODAs too i think.

So I'll probably get the 55X pads and HM5 pads. Quick couple questions, how did you get the 55X pads, do they sell them separately or did you have to buy the full set of cans? I really don't want to waste an extra $65 on the cans for just the pads. Are there any third parties selling the pads alone or do you know anyone selling them?
Last question, should I get the velour or leather hm5 pads? I'm leaning towards the leather for a better seal and cleaning, but velour would be more comfortable. Is there any sound difference between velour and leather?

shibesuchbass said:

Hey I found you lol! Pretty awesome what you're doing. Good luck with your expansion and everything.

I think it's close to being done finally. I'm going to get the SZ2K and hopefully they are the closest to being perfect. I also want to try the V-MODAs, but I'll probably be too lazy to buy them and then probably return them or I'll end up keeping them and spending a lot. Pretty sad how they are so dead now, even the V-MODAs too i think.

So I'll probably get the 55X pads and HM5 pads. Quick couple questions, how did you get the 55X pads, do they sell them separately or did you have to buy the full set of cans? I really don't want to waste an extra $65 on the cans for just the pads. Are there any third parties selling the pads alone or do you know anyone selling them?
Last question, should I get the velour or leather hm5 pads? I'm leaning towards the leather for a better seal and cleaning, but velour would be more comfortable. Is there any sound difference between velour and leather?

Click to expand...

 
@chillaxing was selling his. It has the 55x pads I believe? That would make it easier. You could ask for anyone in the SZ thread if they wanna sell as some have bought but maybe chosen another pair. ebay has had the 55x cans for as low as 15 bucks so that is 3 ways you could do it. Velour diminishes way too much impact ..IMO

Definitely interested in bass testing some cans. I'm in the Altalnta Georgia area. Im very well connected to the bass music scene (a close friend of mine has direct connections to skrillex) and am currently looking for a pair of headphones exactly as you described actually. I could get a few pairs into the hands of some pretty big bass music producers for their feedback as well (eg mantis, trollphace, loudpvck, and a few others). I don't have much history on this forum but I'm familiar with bass as I've been a bass head most of my life.

Annnnyways
How much better are the 77xs than the 55xs? I just bought the Auvio amp from RadioShack as a temporary amp until I get an e12 next week and the amp plus V4A pumps out too much bass for my UE6000s (which I blew the amp on trying to get more bass than they could handle out of them). I want head shaking and teeth rattling. Will the 55xs get me what I'm looking for with the auvio, driven from a note 3 (Poweramp) w/ viper audio (the amp and v4a together can set a 27db gain to the bass, not including EQing from both power amp and v4a, or the bass gain from the tone knobs in poweramp). I listen to almost exclusively "EDM" as much as I hate the term. A lot of trap, Dubstep (all kinds, riddim, swamp, trench (whatever you wanna call it), deathstep, brostep, melodic, old school like Skream and Benga, etc) House, festival house/trap, etc.

Eventually I plan on having OPs setup (e12, cowon/other player, SZs) but what can get me the closest to that bass level for around 200 total? My UEs don't come close to my Inspirations, which werent enough for me anyways. A club-like sound is definitely okay with me given that they will pound too.

tripartist1 said:

Definitely interested in bass testing some cans. I'm in the Altalnta Georgia area. Im very well connected to the bass music scene (a close friend of mine has direct connections to skrillex) and am currently looking for a pair of headphones exactly as you described actually. I could get a few pairs into the hands of some pretty big bass music producers for their feedback as well (eg mantis, trollphace, loudpvck, and a few others). I don't have much history on this forum but I'm familiar with bass as I've been a bass head most of my life.

Annnnyways
How much better are the 77xs than the 55xs? I just bought the Auvio amp from RadioShack as a temporary amp until I get an e12 next week and the amp plus V4A pumps out too much bass for my UE6000s (which I blew the amp on trying to get more bass than they could handle out of them). I want head shaking and teeth rattling. Will the 55xs get me what I'm looking for with the auvio, driven from a note 3 (Poweramp) w/ viper audio (the amp and v4a together can set a 27db gain to the bass, not including EQing from both power amp and v4a, or the bass gain from the tone knobs in poweramp). I listen to almost exclusively "EDM" as much as I hate the term. A lot of trap, Dubstep (all kinds, riddim, swamp, trench (whatever you wanna call it), deathstep, brostep, melodic, old school like Skream and Benga, etc) House, festival house/trap, etc.

Eventually I plan on having OPs setup (e12, cowon/other player, SZs) but what can get me the closest to that bass level for around 200 total? My UEs don't come close to my Inspirations, which werent enough for me anyways. A club-like sound is definitely okay with me given that they will pound too.

Click to expand...

 
 

1. 77x are a lot better at eating amp and pounding bass. The 55x are good for pad harvesting.
2. The 77x do this

 

 
 
 
The UE6000 would NEVER do that. Ever.....never ever ever.
 
 
77x+e12 is about 200 and you already got Viper4Android
 
That'll kick your head.
 

tripartist1 said:

Definitely interested in bass testing some cans. I'm in the Altalnta Georgia area. Im very well connected to the bass music scene (a close friend of mine has direct connections to skrillex) and am currently looking for a pair of headphones exactly as you described actually. I could get a few pairs into the hands of some pretty big bass music producers for their feedback as well (eg mantis, trollphace, loudpvck, and a few others). I don't have much history on this forum but I'm familiar with bass as I've been a bass head most of my life.

Annnnyways
How much better are the 77xs than the 55xs? I just bought the Auvio amp from RadioShack as a temporary amp until I get an e12 next week and the amp plus V4A pumps out too much bass for my UE6000s (which I blew the amp on trying to get more bass than they could handle out of them). I want head shaking and teeth rattling. Will the 55xs get me what I'm looking for with the auvio, driven from a note 3 (Poweramp) w/ viper audio (the amp and v4a together can set a 27db gain to the bass, not including EQing from both power amp and v4a, or the bass gain from the tone knobs in poweramp). I listen to almost exclusively "EDM" as much as I hate the term. A lot of trap, Dubstep (all kinds, riddim, swamp, trench (whatever you wanna call it), deathstep, brostep, melodic, old school like Skream and Benga, etc) House, festival house/trap, etc.

Eventually I plan on having OPs setup (e12, cowon/other player, SZs) but what can get me the closest to that bass level for around 200 total? My UEs don't come close to my Inspirations, which werent enough for me anyways. A club-like sound is definitely okay with me given that they will pound too.

Click to expand...

Or you could save for longer and get the SZ2k's and not have to drop $200+300 later

hello i would like to ask what earpads should i chose for my sz2000 ?
 

nortik said:

hello i would like to ask what earpads should i chose for my sz2000 ?

 

Click to expand...

Pads from JVC HA-M55X
leather Brainwavz HM5 pads for comfort

So, in your opinion, Hawaiibadboy, you don't think the new Sony MDR-Z7 flagship is an upgrade over the MDR-XB1000 (which I currently own)? As I would like to get even bigger bass (but still with enough clarity over the rest of the frequency spectrum), the only other option right now looks like the Fostex TH900. Only the price on that makes me want to cry...
 
P.S. my headphones are paired with a iFi iDSD Micro, if it makes any difference.

the mdr z7 is an upgrade to the xb1000's in sound quality and there bass is more of the th900's nature unlike the xb1000's which are subbass focused, these headphone have the most subbass out of any headphones I have ever heard the xb1000's bass is rumbly bass pressure while the mdr z7 has a solid punch to them, if amped properly the mdr z7 are basshead approved by me. 

hawaiibadboy said:

 Welcome fellow basshead  (This our top o' the line welcome gif)​

​

• 77x are a lot better at eating amp and pounding bass. The 55x are good for pad harvesting.
• The 77x do this

The UE6000 would NEVER do that. Ever.....never ever ever.


77x+e12 is about 200 and you already got Viper4Android

That'll kick your head.

Click to expand...

Hey H.B.B.,

I have been following this thread faithfully and heard loud and clear your message about amplification is key. I saw that you reference the FIIO amp for mobile use as do I.

I also got an iDSD Micro to drive my HD-650s, and while the FIIO did a nice job, and was certainly loud enough, the iDSD was like, BAM! I was impressed with the HD-650s from day-1, but it's a whole new game with the the Micro!

So this past weekend I tried the Micro with the XBASS PH-BTX6'es and... Whoah. They had bass before, but they've been kicked-up a notch. (More power, 3D, and XBASS settings on the Micro all combine to do something special since just throwing more power at them from desktop amps doesn't do much but make them ridiculously loud.). The closed and small sound stage widened a little, the mid-bass receded just a bit so it didn't stomp the mids as much, and the highs still didn't get screechy. No, I'm not claiming that it approaches the arena of the JVC or Fostex offerings, but you DEFINITELY feel the earcups bounce along your jawline, and most importantly, they don't need to be nearly as loud as they did before to do it. All with NO EQ, of course.

All that said, my point is that it might be worth a check to see if there is similar synergy with the JVCs and Fostex'es. I've become a convert, and am fighting pulling the trigger on some HA-SZ2000's with the brainwaves leather ear pad upgrades. (Found them for about $250, but don't have the funds just yet due to Christmas...). If I get them in January or February before anyone else tries the combo, I promise to give you a blurb about them once they've clocked a couple hundred hours of burn-in. But I don't know of any portable, (The Micro IS LONG for a portable amp/DAC. It's longer than my iPhone 5 by almost a third, but probably fits an iPhone 6+ nicely.) that puts out nearly as much power, and the DAC is top-shelf to boot.

It's nice to have a portable solution that kicks almost as hard as my ASGARD 2 does!

Happy holidays!

Ken N.