SINE ALTERNATE EARPAD COMPARISON (Sine vs. Aurvana, Bluecell, Brainwavz)
I’m a big fan of these headphones, especially for rocking out. The sound has big impact with great clarity and details. On the downside, I get listening fatigue quickly from these, the earpads are less than ideal, and I find the treble a bit harsh. For example, for all day listening, I prefer my Sennheiser HD 6XX for their warmth, smoothness, and over the ear pads.
I’m grateful to Audeze for creating this opportunity to experience their house sound at a relatively low price point. Since I don’t need my headphones to be portable, what I might do next is upgrade to the LCD series (they caught me!) for what I’m assuming to be better all day comfort and even better sound.
In the meantime, to help combat the treble, I usually EQ the Sine down at 16Hz. To combat comfort, I’ve settled on the Aurvana earpads as below.
Ranked from best to worst. Measurements are mine using a little plastic ruler and lots of spare time:
#1 - Aurvana – Slightly bigger and more cushy /softer than Bluecell and Sine. Not nearly as cushy as Brainwavz, and not quite over the ear (your ears may vary). Wrap ears slightly better than Sine or Bluecell with a a wider and longer ID. Sound is “immediate” and “impactful”, which is similar to Bluecell and Sine. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say the sound might even be slightly better than stock pads with just the slightest extra amount of breathing room.
I.D.: 1.625”W x 2.0”L
O.D.: 3.125”W x 3.5”L x 0.7-0.75”H
Source: Amazon for $12.99: "Replacement Ear Pads Cushion seals For Creative Aurvana Live Headphones Headsets."
#2 - Bluecell – Slightly bigger and more cushy than Sine. Less cushy than others. After limited listening, I think the Aurvana are slightly more comfortable with similar if not same sound.
- I’m curious if anyone else finds these superior to the Aurvana in either comfort (I doubt that), or sound (maybe v. slightly better since v. slightly thinner than Aurvana?)
I.D.: 1.375”W x 1.4375”L
O.D.: 2.875”W x 3.375”L x 0.6”H
Source: Amazon for $5.99: "Bluecell Pair of Replacement Earpad Ear Pad for Sennheiser Hd202, Hd212, Hd212pro, Hd497, Eh150, Eh250,hd437,hd447, Hd62tv Headphones"
#3 - Sine – Smallest - Least cushy. Closest to Bluecell. Feel tight, but not painful. There is some cushion here. Not much though. Ears feel compressed. Feel like my ears are practically hitting the drivers.
- Is this design flawed? A little too close to the ears? A little too tight and sound a little too immediate? Did the Audeze engineers get this wrong? Or are they supposed to be like this for close fit portable use and most impactful sound? For both sound and comfort I prefer the extra thickness in the Aurvanas.
I.D.: 1.3125”W x 1.75”L
O.D.: 2.875”W x 3.5”L x 0.5625”H
#4 - Brainwavz Angled HM5 – Biggest - Super cushy and huge. Like giant pillows. Almost comical. Too cushy maybe, if that’s possible. For example, I think I like my 6xx stock pads better, and they are not this soft. Sound is not bad, just inferior to other pads. It’s more distant. Think reverb. Sound might also be “softer” and more “rounded”, with less impact. I guess it’s possible for someone to either like this sound, or not be bothered by it. Personally I think it’s different enough from the stock sound to be a bad alternative. PM me if you WTB.
I.D.: 1.5”W x 2.75”L
O.D.: 3.375”W x 4.375”L x 1.0”-1.5”H
Source: I can’t remember. I know they cost more than the Aurvana and Bluecell, like ~$25. Bummer.
Conclusion: I think the Aurvana are the best compromise for both sound and comfort. There might be zero impact to the sound from both the Aurvana and the Bluecell. I’m curious to know what other people think. The Brainwavz absolutely impact sound. Does anyone think the stock Sine pads sound better than the Aurvana or Bluecell?
PICS:
1.) Top view - Sine have an S. Brainwavz are giant. Wrinkled=Aurvana. Not wrinikled=Bluecell.
2.) Side view - From left to right, thinnest to thickest: Sine, Bluecell, Aurvana, Brainwavz.