Definitely no expert but I felt the analytical pads, although having a bit less bass than the balanced pads, seemed more open and "alive". The difference was to me very noticeable, upon switching from the balanced to the analytical, with the 1990 seeming to become more sparkling, with airy detail, realistic and as I said just an overall feeling that the music was more "alive". Switching to the Elite Velours was another step up, with more bass, sound-stage and detail openness. For me a much more pleasurable listening experience including some "taming" of occasionally intense "brightness", especially in music that had a lot of "crowded" higher frequency energy with elevated volume. I really enjoyed the Elite Velours a LOT, but was missing some of the bass presence and punch on my previous DT1770 closed backs. I decided to purchase and try the Elite Hybrids and as I indicated above, the bass and low frequency presence and "punch" of the 1770 seemed to have returned. Very dramatic difference, compared to the stock pads, including the balanced. Surprising increase in bass/low frequency response even over the Elite Velours. I hadn't really known what to expect but, having used my 1990 for several months, moving through the different pads, I really didn't think I'd hear this level of bass response in an open back headphone. It really seemed like using an equalizer to boost the lows. It doesn't seem to me that the increased bass response has overshadowed the mid-range and highs or feels artificial. The high frequency peak energy seems to still be tamed a bit as well. Lots of detail, fullness and sparkle. Using the Elite Velours, I needed to boost the volume a bit, above the stock pads. Although not really a large boost, with the Hybrids I've been able to decrease volume levels again. The balanced pads have been described as the "fun" pair, when compared to the analytical. Having moved through the chained progression of pads, with the Elite Hybrids, I'm having a ball! (Of course... your experience (and ears) may well vary)