Check out my posts in the Clear OG thread about my experience with this issue.

Looks good, but "item does not ship to United States" so that rules it out for me.

Another option for replacement pads to try are the Drop Focal Elex pads. They're currently sold through, but might do another batch at some point. Very similar to the original Clear OG pads, and $60. The best part is they are dark in color, so all that discoloration worry goes right out the...

Similar for me: Clear OG, HD650, and Sundara. Clear gets 99% of my listening time. Love 'em!

I might have missed this in the thread, but has anyone spent time listening to the Expanse with the Jotunheim 2? Curious if it has enough power to make them shine, and if it's a good pairing.

Check out Yosi Horikawa. Some tracks approach a really binaural experience. Nice instrument separation and soundstage, good bass extension, and some raise-the-hair-on-your-neck moments. Yosi Horikawa...

Just providing the information so folks can make an informed decision. I know that I would want to know if an aftermarket mod could cause permanent cosmetic alterations - even if they were modest alterations.

Maybe using the hair dryer method they might, but on their own - no, no they won't. I've had the cover removed from these for months now. Been using the ugly knit one that was also recommended early on.

Bear in mind that over time the tight fit of that cover can leave 2 indentations that run the length of the top of the headband. They're caused by the stitching along both sides of the zipper on the inside of the cover. I took my cover off, but the indentations are still there. They're not...

Unfortunately, I didn't see anything that revealed how the logo badge is attached. My guess is that it's a peg or rivet that's not accessible without opening the cup.

Try Dekoni Custom Stellia. The Drop Elex are a good option when you can get them, and the OG replacements from headphones.com are also good. I have all three, and swap them out as the mood strikes. Fortunately, I don't hear a large enough difference between them to get me bent out of shape, so...

I hand-washed my OG Clear pads by gently squeezing them multiple times in a bowl of warm water with Woolite, then letting them soak for an hour, then rinsing them out, squeezing out all excess water, and letting them air dry for a couple days. I've actually done this a couple times now, and...

For the record, to measure SPL, I use a CD against the pad for a seal, and then put the radio shack meter over the center hole of the CD. That puts the mic even with the pad surface, which is approximately the same distance from the driver as the ear, give or take.

Just tried this track on Amazon HD with my Clear OG and had zero clipping. Listening to the whole album now, and sounds great. Thanks for the suggestion, BTW - I'm adding it to my library!

Count me as a Clear owner (OG for over a year) that has never heard them clip, ever. I've tried all the example tracks listed that have caused people trouble, and none have caused clipping. I've measured with an SPL meter up to around 90dB, and had no clipping (but at that volume level I could...

Mostly in the 75 average range. 90 would be an extreme peak, not an average level. I do listen at lower levels as well, but never louder.

To me, it's "clear" your Clears are defective. The behavior of the Utopia seems like the norm. I wish I could try the Utopia, though. Maybe one day. Enjoy yours!

Not an apples to apples comparison because I have the OG Clear, but all 4 of these tracks in Amazon Music HD sound good to me with no EQ (I don't use EQ). Nothing unpleasant in vocals or instrumentation, no distortion. Only thing I noticed is that the first three are mastered quite loudly, so...

I'm very interested to read your comparison to find out how the Utopias fare regarding clipping. Hope they're fine and that the Clears are defective.

I listen regularly in the 75-90dB range, and in almost a full year of daily listening I've never experienced clipping once on my OG Clears. Plenty of sub-bass music listened to during that time as well, including the "torture" tracks that get referred to as examples. I have zero problems...

I'm loving the Dekoni Ltd Stellia pads on my OG Clear. But they'll move the drivers slightly further away from your ears as the pads are a bit thicker than stock. That's a good thing, though, as it leads to a slightly wider soundstage as Andrew_WOT mentions. This is a benefit, not a negative...

I really like the Dekoni Stellia pads a lot. Another option is the Drop Focal Elex pads. They're very close to the stock Clear pads, but they're black so dirt doesn't show.

They did via headphones.com under warranty, and I switched them out myself. The replacement rings seem to be fine. I also removed all of the lettering from the original rings, and they look nice that way. I kept them to switch out down the road if I ever want to change up the appearance.

Find my experience with this earlier in the thread. Mine rubbed off just by touching it - no pressure or alcohol needed.

I can't speak to the MG's as I have never heard them. But I can say that after listening to the OG's daily for a year now, I think they sound great with the Dekoni Stellia Ltd. pads. I can also say that while my listening experience varies from day to day, I have never experienced huge swings...