ATH-AD2000 earpads. Which ones keep the original sound and fit?

[1234filip]

I ordered some ATH-AD2000(non-X) headphones from Japan and by reading the reviews, all of them mention that the earpads are somewhat uncomfortable. The ones I found so far are the ZMF Auteur Suede Perforated and the Dekoni Elite Velour pads.

If any owners of the AD2000 could recommend which ones change the sound signature the least and fit best?

EDIT: I replaced the pads with AD900X ones and they help comfort, but not to the level I would like.
I saw some people recommend bending them outwards for less clamp force. Are there any owners that know how I should go about doing that, is there any risk of breaking the band? Help would be much appreciated.

 

[xingfei]

Hi,
I have two pairs of these headphones, ones stock the other is modded by changing the driver that's on the right cup to the left cup and so on but that's it.

I've had this headphone too many years, Yes, I remember reading about the "some" people complaining that the top of your ear touches the driver grill and what not...
I wear this headphones for hours 6-8hr a day, when I can, listening to music from my CD Player rig and I do not have "pain" or "discomfort" while wearing my AD2000. My suggestion is keep the original earpads or by a second set New in ebay or by contacting Audio Technica in your region.
I've tired some modding with the original pads and believe me the sound changed for the worst, felt as I was no longer listening to the AD2000 and more of a neutral headphone with no bass and is luscious midrange tonality which give woman vocals a heavenly presence and the guitars too in this headphone.

Give them time and you will appreciate the AD2000s sound for what it is known for...

Cheers.

 

[plmon]

I ordered some ATH-AD2000(non-X) headphones from Japan and by reading the reviews, all of them mention that the earpads are somewhat uncomfortable. The ones I found so far are the ZMF Auteur Suede Perforated and the Dekoni Elite Velour pads.

If any owners of the AD2000 could recommend which ones change the sound signature the least and fit best?

Unfortunately, I don't think you can gain great comfort without changing the sound signature significantly. A lot of the discomfort comes from the pads being so thin, but going thicker hollows out of the sound.

I use the Yaxi pads for the AD2000Z/X now since my stock pair were very worn, but even those affected the sound somewhat from what I remember.

That said, their shape is almost identical to stock pads, so I think they'd be the closest you could get sound-wise among aftermarket pads. But that also means they're only slightly more comfortable than stock.

But like the above commenter said, I'd try them first before looking for aftermarket pads. It's possible they might feel fine on your ears.

 

[bozebuttons]

My ath-2000 has the Tube mod where you put 1/4 inch rubber tubes under the pads to give you more clearance for your ears.

 

[Josz27]

I ordered some ATH-AD2000(non-X) headphones from Japan and by reading the reviews, all of them mention that the earpads are somewhat uncomfortable. The ones I found so far are the ZMF Auteur Suede Perforated and the Dekoni Elite Velour pads.

If any owners of the AD2000 could recommend which ones change the sound signature the least and fit best?

Where you got your pair?

 

[1234filip]

Where you got your pair?

I got it from Buyee

 

[1234filip]

My ath-2000 has the Tube mod where you put 1/4 inch rubber tubes under the pads to give you more clearance for your ears.

What kind of tube did you put into it? I can find almost no info online what tubing it should be. Do you suppose this silicone tubing would do the job https://www.gumitehna.si/cevi/silikonske/cev-silikonska-fi-4x6-mm ?
Or should I get something stiffer?

 

[1234filip]

Hi,
I have two pairs of these headphones, ones stock the other is modded by changing the driver that's on the right cup to the left cup and so on but that's it.

I've had this headphone too many years, Yes, I remember reading about the "some" people complaining that the top of your ear touches the driver grill and what not...
I wear this headphones for hours 6-8hr a day, when I can, listening to music from my CD Player rig and I do not have "pain" or "discomfort" while wearing my AD2000. My suggestion is keep the original earpads or by a second set New in ebay or by contacting Audio Technica in your region.
I've tired some modding with the original pads and believe me the sound changed for the worst, felt as I was no longer listening to the AD2000 and more of a neutral headphone with no bass and is luscious midrange tonality which give woman vocals a heavenly presence and the guitars too in this headphone.

Give them time and you will appreciate the AD2000s sound for what it is known for...

Cheers.

I received them and after a couple of hours of listening I am experiencing discomfort(my ears are touching the drivers). My AD900X sound worse but are much much more comfortable. If I get the original replacement pads it probably wouldn't help much as the pads are so thin. Any other recommendations?

 

[bozebuttons]

What kind of tube did you put into it? I can find almost no info online what tubing it should be. Do you suppose this silicone tubing would do the job https://www.gumitehna.si/cevi/silikonske/cev-silikonska-fi-4x6-mm ?
Or should I get something stiffer?

I bought the headphones used & it had the tubes already in there..Those tubes should work as long as they are stiff & don't collapse

 

[Chris Kaoss]

I bought the headphones used & it had the tubes already in there..Those tubes should work as long as they are stiff & don't collapse

How does it change the sound w/ or w/o tubes?
Have you compared them to a stock one?

Thanks for your kind feedback on this.

 

[1234filip]

How does it change the sound w/ or w/o tubes?
Have you compared them to a stock one?

Thanks for your kind feedback on this.

I'm not the one you're asking but I've experimented a bit with tissues and foam. In general, putting distance between your ears and the drivers worsens the sound. They sound hollower and less bassy, the vocals sound worse, losing their signature sound a bit. I mostly solved the discomfort issue by swapping out the old pads for a pair of AD900X pads.

 

[bozebuttons]

How does it change the sound w/ or w/o tubes?
Have you compared them to a stock one?

Thanks for your kind feedback on this.

I never compared my pair with a stock one Or without the tubes,its a easy enough mod to try & reverse .
Also my phones are hardwired with enigma cable dual 3pin with a dual 3pin to 1/4 adapter..

 

[Josz27]

I'm not the one you're asking but I've experimented a bit with tissues and foam. In general, putting distance between your ears and the drivers worsens the sound. They sound hollower and less bassy, the vocals sound worse, losing their signature sound a bit. I mostly solved the discomfort issue by swapping out the old pads for a pair of AD900X pads.

Could you elaborate ad2000 stock pads vs ad2000 with 900x pads?

 

[1234filip]

Could you elaborate ad2000 stock pads vs ad2000 with 900x pads?

I haven't listened to the stock pads much because they were uncomfortable, but it's pretty identical. You lose a bit of sub-bass but I can live with that. They are original ATH pads after all, sound doesn't change much.
EDIT: Switched back to stock pads, sound is better. I think you should keep the stock pads and try to alleviate the pressure by bending the headband outwards.

 

[1234filip]

Unfortunately, I don't think you can gain great comfort without changing the sound signature significantly. A lot of the discomfort comes from the pads being so thin, but going thicker hollows out of the sound.

I use the Yaxi pads for the AD2000Z/X now since my stock pair were very worn, but even those affected the sound somewhat from what I remember.

That said, their shape is almost identical to stock pads, so I think they'd be the closest you could get sound-wise among aftermarket pads. But that also means they're only slightly more comfortable than stock.

But like the above commenter said, I'd try them first before looking for aftermarket pads. It's possible they might feel fine on your ears.

Do you know how much they change the sound if you remember?