Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like the first step is going to be the Bifrost Multibit upgrade. It's inexpensive enough that if it doesn't work out I won't be too upset. At some point as well I will need to replace the Lyr as it has a higher noise floor than I'd like for the Ethers. Maybe...

Hey guys, looking for some advice. I've been running my Ether Flows and Ether Cs through a Schiit Bifrost uber and Lyr (with various high quality tubes) and I'm finding that I don't really like the sound signature from the Schiit gear with these headphones. I find it to be too harsh on the high...

Thanks for the update! I'll definitely be picking up 2 pairs when they are available.   And ya, If you ever do find a suitable suede or velour I'd be totally on-board for that as well.

Any updates on the new pads with the circular opening? As mentioned previously by another member, I get the pressure points just below my ear canal from the standard pads from both of my Ethers. I switched to some Brainwavz pads but with their original oval shape they aren't the best solution...

I don't post much about audio so bear with me while I try to articulate what I'm hearing, haha. I bought the Ether Flows coming from HE-500's after nearly 4 years of use. While I own other closed back headphones the HE-500's have been the only open ones I've used regularly for a long time and...

I personally bought the normal HM5 pads as recommended by another user. They are going to reduce the physical vibration felt through the pads themselves because of how soft they are. They will, however, keep the same sound pressure generated by the drivers. If you want the perceived vibration...

The HM5's do not leak at all, it actually really surprised me. Even at full blast, you cannot tell if someone is listening to music from 3 feet away. I generally listen to music while at work so the HM5 pads worked out perfectly. I can listen to whatever I want at whatever volume level and not...

I have a large head, so the stock pads basically did nothing to space the drivers from my head. The drivers were literally sitting on my ears and the sound was hugely distorted, along with being terribly uncomfortable.   For me, the HiFiMAN pleather pads and HM5's were pretty similar sound...

  -Edit: pictures below.   Left to right: HM5 thick pads, 55X pads, HiFiMAN pads     HiFiMAN Pads:       55X pads:       HM5 thick pads:       Thickness comparison. Left to right: HM5, HiFiMAN, 55X  

-snip-

So I got the HM5 thick pads that KGUN mentioned earlier, and ya these pads are great. This is what should have come with the headphones in the first place. They seal perfectly, are extremely comfortable and provide the sound qualities I am looking for. Without any testing, the bass quantity is...

Are they? That kinda sucks. I haven't kept up with the new HiFiMAN releases, but I was interested in those new pads.

I've been lurking around this thread for a while now, and just a couple weeks ago I decided I needed to have the sz2k's. I've had a pair of HE-500's for a while now, but I've been missing the sweet release of unholy amounts of bass. These things sure do deliver it too. I have to say though, as...