Hmmm...why did you get the oval pads? ZMF Ori pads are round and a perfect fit for the Hifiman mounting rings...not stretching needed.

Before upgrading to Oris...I used Brainwavz angled pleathers on my HE-500. Still using angled pleathers on my HE-400...I'm planning to upgrade them to either Brainwavz angled sheepskin (the upcoming round pads) or another set of Oris.  

  I really the like LCD2F, and IMO the Audeze pads is also a big factor. the HE-500 is more detailed and has much better highs...but lacks the punch and 3D imaging of the LCD2F. The HE-500 with Ori pads gains the punchiness and slightly better imaging...I also prefer the highs with Ori pads...

  Brainwavz angled sheepskin should not be too far off from Ori pads (lambskin)...but the angled pleathers to me are clearly inferior both in sound and comfort.

Nice write up @ThurstonX.. Good to hear that you're enjoying the Ori pads! BTW, the HM5 angled pads you're using for comparison...are they the lambskin ones or the pleathers? I'm considering to upgrade my HE-400 with Ori pads...but I might just wait for Brainwavz to release their new line of...

Well, I switched to angled pads to try and mimic to a degree the LCD2F sound signature with the HE-500 (and to a lesser degree with my HE-400). I sold my LCD2F late last year...and have not missed them much since I have HE-500 with angled pleather pads...and upgrading to angled lambskin pads...

Stock velours...not much comfort...and sound wise they sound too soft with flat soundstage for me. The LCD2F blows it away on dynamics, impact and 3D soundstage. Have you tried angled pads on your HE-500, or focus pads? The Hifiman stock pads are a waste on such quality planar drivers IMO ;)

Treble is great and well extended...and the midrange magic of the HE-500 is also kept intact.

  IMO...the stock Hifiman HE-500 pads don't do justice to the headphone's true potential...they're more of a downgrade in sound quality. Before trying on angled pads on the HE-400...and of course the HE-500...I always thought that the Audeze sound of LCD2 and LCD3 to be way superior to the...

  They should work...the Ori Pads fit perfectly on the Hifiman cups.   Thanks!    Previously I used Brainwavz angled pleather...the stock pads sucks! Compared to the angled Brainwavs, more impact and bass punch with the Ori pads, better clarity too. Sound stage has also improved...

Previously I used Brainwavz angled pleather...the stock pads sucks! Compared to the angled Brainwavs, more impact and bass punch with the Ori pads, better clarity too. Sound stage has also improved slightly because the stiffer foam on the pads are keeping the drivers a bit further from your...

HE-500 with ZMF Ori Lambskin Pads...great comfort, awesome sound!  

HE-500 with ZMF Ori Lambskin Pads.        

I've been using Brainwavz angled pads for my HE-400 for about 1,5 years...initially I trimmed the rings outer edges to fit the pads...but I found out a bit late that by stretching the hell out of the pads you can fit the original rings without trimming. No probs also installing them on the...

HE-350 with Denon pads, HE-400 and HE-500 with Brainwavz angled pads.

After JH Audio sent me a replacement unit with the corrected clear faceplates...