[loveislove]

just did the head to head comparison yesterday. K550 is obviously better off in terms of a larger sound stage and more details. 

 

[dweaver]

I agree with the sound stage being larger but disagree with the notion the K550 has more details. It may appear to have more detail because of its brighter tone and larger peak in the upper mids/lower treble but when listened critically the sound was there with both headphones. But that is just my take.

 

[grizzlybeast]

I agree with the sound stage being larger but disagree with the notion the K550 has more details. It may appear to have more detail because of its brighter tone and larger peak in the upper mids/lower treble but when listened critically the sound was there with both headphones. But that is just my take.

+1
 
its easier to confuse brighter for more details. listen for the low level noises.
 
like a brighter tv doesn't mean higher resolution the same concept applies.

 

[Martinrm]

Anyone got a recommendation for thicker earpads for the K545's? 

 

[dweaver]

Look back in the thread, there is a link for buying the HM5 pads which work apparently. Better seal and thicker from what I remember reading.

 

[money4me247]

Look back in the thread, there is a link for buying the HM5 pads which work apparently. Better seal and thicker from what I remember reading.

hey could someone who owns these take some pictures of the earpad measurements & post it here? i feel like this is a pretty great resource.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/653032/size-matters-earpad-hole-measurements-for-over-ear-headphones/15

 

[Beasleyd2]

Had anyone seen any real benefit to the HM5 pads over the stock ones?

 

[jwong]

I think I'm the only one using them, at least that I've seen on here. The real benefit to me is they fit entirely around my ears, so they're more comfortable and getting a good seal is not fiddley. But the stock pads feel very nice so if your ears fit well in them I don't think I'd bother.

 

[Wasatchsummits]

Newb here... I just picked these up several days ago and have a hard time putting them down, just the right sound! I recently picked up the JVC HA-S500 and while they sound really good for their price range, I found them really closed in and an almost in-your-face type sound stage, which led me to keep looking for another portable. So far these 545's have been the sound signature I'm after. I've been burning them in when not using them since opening the box. 
 
Question, right now I'm running an E17 dac off a Mac Mini, 320kb files. This combination sounds pretty decent, though I've thought about possibly adding an E09K to the mix. Anyone recommend this or should I look at another amp/dac? 

 

[dweaver]

I enjoy my Audioengine D1 but am not sure how it stacks up against the E17 or E09K so will et others chime in. But what you have now may be good enough

 

[Martinrm]

I havent found anything on amazon that fits these measurements 20mm thickness is just too shallow.
 
AKG K545 - Circular Earpads Measurements 
 
Earpad
Inner Diameter (Of Pad) - 74mm
Inner Diameter - 85mm
Outer Diameter (Of headphone) - 86mm
Outer Diameter (Of the pad itself) - 90mm 
Thickness - 20mm
 
Pictures:

 
 

 

 

 

[money4me247]

@Martinrm, you should look into the Sony MDR-1R, their driver slant with your ears to give the back of your ears 22m of clearance.
 
edit: the MDR-1Rs are the most comfortable pair of over-ear portables I have ever tried.

 

[grizzlybeast]

Brainwavz? Did you look into those?

 

[dweaver]

While I agree the MDR1R are comfortable he might have a similar issue because they are not very deep cushion wise and some people have reported issues with their ears touching the drivers. More importantly they have a significantly different sound signature if he really likes the K545 sound.

The Brainwavz HM5 pads look to be deeper keeping the drivers away from the ears and are supposed to be a bit more circumaural. There is a link back near the 1st third of the thread for the ear pad.

 

[Martinrm]

I'm just trying to find some ear pads off of Amazon since I have some gift cards that I might as well use.