ZMF SENNHEISER 6x0 SERIES PAD REVIEW
***This was originally posted on March 1st, 2022***
Recently Zach from ZMF decided to branch out and release headphone pads compatible with the Sennheiser 6** series (HD580, HD600, HD650, HD660, etc…). They are available in three different options: Perforated Suede, Perforated Lambskin, and Solid Lambskin.
These pads differ from the stock pads in several different ways. Most notably each pad is slightly angled from the rear to front (4mm difference). The inner pad opening diameter is a tad larger, while also not having an inward slope. The foam used, a medium rebound (memory) foam, does not compress nearly as much as the stock pads. Combined these allow for a much deeper ear cavity when using. With the stock pads, my ears would easily touch the drivers. That’s not the case with any of the ZMF pad offerings.
The ZMF pads are just as easy to mount/unmount as the stock pads. The mounting ring (which is more substantial compared to the stock rings) will make an audible snap when locked into place. Included with each set is a very attractive resealable ZMF branded bag, as well as a plastic pad removal tool. Having owned every ZMF model at one point, and writing several other reviews on ZMF pads, I can confidently say these are the same high quality pads that I’ve come to know. I also believe for long term use, they will be more robust than the stock pads, which are notorious for needing replaced after heavy use.
To evaluate these pads, I primarily used my Sennheiser HD650 and occasionally my HD580. Both headphones had brand new or like new stock pads. The headphones are not modded, and no equalization was utilized during listening. My impressions will focus primarily on the HD650, but I largely found very similar results when using the HD580 (headphone tuning aside). Lastly, we all hear differently and have our own sonic preferences, so just as with any other audio equipment, I highly suggest hearing them yourself if possible.
My chain used is as follows:
Tidal>Singxer SU-1>Schiit Yggdrasil A1>DNA Stratus/Glenn OTL>HD650/HD580
Sennheiser Stock Pads
Probably one of, if not the most used earpads by headphone enthusiasts over the last several decades. These have a very fast, springy foam that compresses very easily. This puts your ears very close to the driver, and most likely against the removable inner driver from. As I mentioned earlier, these tend to wear out with a lot of use, which can in turn affect the sound negatively.
I won’t go into in depth detail on the HD650 sound (it’s been covered… A LOT), but overall they have a smooth, slightly warm and detailed sound. They also scale very well with higher end gear, in particular amplifiers with a high voltage swing. Unfortunately with the stock pads, they do have a few different shortcomings. The soundstage is rather intimate and can feel congested at times. Imaging and instrument separation are very average. Bass quality in general is loose, with some midbass bloom. And the sub bass response is rolled off and mediocre at best. Still in the end, these pads helped make the HD650 a beloved classic, so they’ve obviously been doing something right all these years.
ZMF Perforated Suede
The perforated suede pads are soft to the touch, but aren’t overly plush like the old Audeze suede pads. The foam is also slightly stiffer than the stock pads. Depending on your head size/shape, you might have to click the band up a notch. This also applies to the other two pads.
Immediately the first thing you notice is the change in staging. The soundstage is significantly wider than the stock pads by a surprising amount. The other thing that jumps out right away is instrument separation and imaging. Both are greatly improved vs the stock pads. The suede pads transient response is also markedly better. I believe the combination of the pad depth, covering material and slight angle help contribute to these noteworthy changes.
Notoriously ZMF suede pads provide a sense of openness, and that’s still the case with these. Overall the top end feels slightly elevated and airy, but is still very smooth sounding and never sibilant. The midrange isn’t quite as thick, but largely feels unchanged from the stock pads. While the quantity of bass is slightly reduced, the quality of the bass is much improved. The flabbiness and midbass bloom from the stock pads are almost completely eliminated. Sub bass is still unfortunately unchanged.
I’ve found suede pads in the past to be hit and miss for me, but I really quite enjoyed these. I kept going back and forth between these and the perf lambskin. In the end I slightly preferred the lambskin pads as my favorite, but you can’t really go wrong with either. If you’re looking for a more blissed out, spacious sound, these are the pads to get.
ZMF Perforated Lambskin
The lambskin pads are quite soft, and fall just short of the comfort of the suede pads. Soundstage is not quite as wide as the suede pads, but far still larger than the stock pads. Instrument separation and imaging are just as good, if not slightly better than the suede’s. One of the biggest differences between the lambskin and suede pads is the transient response. Most percussion and stringed instruments sound very lively and snappy.
The lambskin pads aren’t nearly as airy as the suede’s, but instead feel more focused with improved clarity. Treble overall is still very pleasant and slightly elevated in the upper treble from the stock pads. The midrange sits somewhere in between the stock and suede pads, but with much more energetic upper mids. Bass is similar to the suede pads, but ever so slightly more punchy. Just like the suede pads, the sub bass doesn't see much, if any improvement over the stock pads.
In the end, I preferred the perf lambskin pads by a whisker over the suede pads. The bump in the upper mids really did it for me on a few different levels. If you’re after a more technical and more dynamic sound, these are definitely the pads for you.
Also of note, on my HD580’s I flat out preferred the lambskin perf pads over the suede pads. So it’s possible these could be the go to pads on the HD600’s.
ZMF Solid Lambskin
The solid lambskin pads are the same as the perf lambskin pads in terms of comfort. Soundstage is more similar to the stock pads than the other two ZMF’s. Imaging and instrument separation are also not quite as good as the suede and lambskin perf pads. Transients are still solid, but not nearly as great as the lambskin perf pads.
Cutting to the chase, these pads are all about the BASS. The low end frequencies are significantly boosted from the sub bass all the way up to the lower mids. This of course shifts the overall tone of the headphone to a much warmer sound. Bass quality is a mixed bag, but I found it fun and enjoyable. The scoop in the upper mids is problematic, adding a somewhat muffled and hollow effect. The treble response is also a bit uneven, and slightly reduced from the other pads. I believe the solid material also doesn't handle reflections as well as the other pads.
While these were actually better than I anticipated, they still weren’t really for me. For those bass heads out there, these are the pads for you hands down. I can’t help but wonder how well these could be corrected with eq or even by modding the HD650. Also interestingly, I found these pads to be far more balanced on my HD580’s.
Final Thoughts
It’s always great to see more quality third party pad offerings. Even more so when it’s for something like the venerable Sennheiser 6** series. ZMF has excelled in making high quality products over the years, and their latest offering is no exception. While priced about $20 more than genuine Sennheiser replacement pads, I believe the extra cost is more than worth it. If anything, I could see someone picking up one of these pads in addition to the stock pads. They just might breathe some new life into one of your favorite headphones.
