Grado Pads
Mar 2, 2008 at 9:54 PM Post #31 of 54
This is the regular quarter-mod:

IMG_9744.jpg


This is reversed with a larger hole:

IMG_9771-1.jpg


I fiddled around with the HD414 pads quite a bit the last couple of days and finally concluded that the pad setup in the 2nd picture is far superior to the first. The quarter-mod sounded very muddy compared to stock bowls, so I had to reverse to create a gap between my ears and the drivers. It sounds just as clear and is more comfortable to boot.

$35 is tough to justify on pads, so I'm sticking with these for now and will dye them black (soon, hopefully).
 
Mar 2, 2008 at 9:56 PM Post #32 of 54
Quote:

Originally Posted by TopPop /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I figured this, but what, then, is a "reverse quarter-mod"? (


I'm not hip to all of this headphone lingo but I'll say that this means to reverse a pad that has been quarter modded.

edit: OK, thanks Aura. I see that your second pic is then a "reverse quarter mod".
 
Mar 2, 2008 at 9:58 PM Post #33 of 54
Quote:

Originally Posted by Aura /img/forum/go_quote.gif
IMG_9771-1.jpg


I fiddled around with the HD414 pads quite a bit the last couple of days and finally concluded that the pad setup in the 2nd picture is far superior to the first.


Got it, thanks! This is how I have my 414 pads on my MS-1's, and I love the sound! So much clearer and more realistic than my 7-hole modded comfies! In your experience, how does this reverse configuration compare to the stock bowls?
 
Mar 2, 2008 at 10:01 PM Post #34 of 54
Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatDane /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I'm not hip to all of this headphone lingo but I'll say that this means to reverse a pad that has been quarter modded.


That seems intuitive enough, but I imagine that a quarter-size hole would be much to small to stretch over the Grado driver housing when the pad is flipped around... which is what first got me doubting my current definition of "reversed".
 
Mar 2, 2008 at 10:01 PM Post #35 of 54
Quote:

Originally Posted by TopPop /img/forum/go_quote.gif
! In your experience, how does this reverse configuration compare to the stock bowls?


It's a close-call. Honestly I need to A/B between the two pairs of pads some more.

I will say that tape-modded bowls sound very good as well, the bass is a bit punchier compared to the HD414 pads.

Best regards
smily_headphones1.gif
.
 
Mar 2, 2008 at 10:04 PM Post #36 of 54
Quote:

Originally Posted by Aura /img/forum/go_quote.gif
It's a close-call. Honestly I need to A/B between the two pairs of pads some more.

I will say that tape-modded bowls sound very good as well, the bass is a bit punchier compared to the HD414 pads.

Best regards
smily_headphones1.gif
.


Okay, thanks a lot for your help. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on a completely new level of sonic bliss! I still may try the bowls later, but first I'm going to replace the plastic rear grill, and damp the driver magnet with a small piece of Dynamat. Both tweaks should clear up the high-mid to high regions even more!
 
Mar 2, 2008 at 10:11 PM Post #37 of 54
Quote:

Originally Posted by TopPop /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Okay, thanks a lot for your help. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on a completely new level of sonic bliss! I still may try the bowls later, but first I'm going to replace the plastic rear grill, and damp the driver magnet with a small piece of Dynamat. Both tweaks should clear up the high-mid to high regions even more!


I will tell that I've never tried the 414 pad so I don't know what's needed to make them fit. After buying comfies I don't think I'll buy any 414 pads.

I'm considering opening up my 325's and adding maybe some Blu-Tak just to experiment.
 
Mar 2, 2008 at 10:14 PM Post #38 of 54
Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatDane /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I will tell that I've never tried the 414 pad so I don't know what's needed to make them fit. After buying comfies I don't think I'll buy any 414 pads.


You should try the HD414's. Generally people don't seem too impressed with the comfies, but then again that is subjective.

Might as well give them a shot in my opinion
smily_headphones1.gif
.
 
Mar 3, 2008 at 1:18 AM Post #39 of 54
Quote:

Originally Posted by Aura /img/forum/go_quote.gif
You should try the HD414's. Generally people don't seem too impressed with the comfies, but then again that is subjective.

Might as well give them a shot in my opinion
smily_headphones1.gif
.


Well for the small price they are tempting but shipping is probably just as much...I was just about to order them from Sennheiser but then realized that I wanted flats and it made sense to buy the comfies from Todd while I was at it.

I just don't think that 414's will sound much different than comfies and flats are easily superior. The greater bass impact with flats is enough to win me over.
 
Mar 3, 2008 at 1:40 AM Post #40 of 54
Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkWolf /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I guess it must have been the yellow Senn pads I listened to and liked.. I was wondering more about the actual Grado soft pads, which are flat. I'm afraid that Todds flat pads will be too harsh for me, they have a big hole just like the bowls, and probably sit even closer to the ear. I'll probably spend a lot of money on pads. Poor...


the Flat pads that Todd sales are actually the old stock Grado pad before the Bowl pads were introduced. he does not take the Soft pads and then cut a hole in it. I think Todd has them manufactured somewhere and he is the only supplier of the old Grado Flat pads. so there is the cost.

I have never used the Flat pads but I sure do love the Bowl pads. never once had an issue with them. I also prefer the headphones tight on me head as to bending the headband out.

to me the Bowl pads or any headphone really is like getting a new pair of shoes. they will always feel best once broken in. some shoes just take a little more breaking in and getting use to than others. but I'm one that prefers leather boots to tennis shoes..
 
Mar 3, 2008 at 2:00 AM Post #42 of 54
They are a different kind of plastic foam. The comfies are much softer, whereas the flat pads are harder and denser. Your perceived acoustic performance may vary.
 
Mar 3, 2008 at 2:16 AM Post #44 of 54
Ive been asking the question for years and nobody has ever reported on the sound of the flats vs comfies with a hole in the middle as large as the flats. I can't imagine why they would sound different
 
Mar 3, 2008 at 2:20 AM Post #45 of 54
I like the quarter modded yellow senn pads (not reversed) on my SR80,,, and the bowls on my SR225. I dont like 414 senns on my 225, or bowls on my 80.

I really want to open my igrados and 80's and mod them though, but im afraid to ruin them while opening them,and they may have put the newer glue on them and made it harder to open. Someday when my igrados cable breaks, ill have an excuse to open them and recable them and change the grill to a nicer looking and more open one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top