[swmtnbiker]

My take on it is that if freezing tubes and cables can have an impact on sound, if isolation feet and rubber mats can have an impact on sound, if coloring the edges of your CDs with a green marker can have an impact on sound, then yes, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the buttons on Grado headphones have an impact on their sound.

 

[TheMarsVolta]

dpippel, you forgot to mention brilliant pebbles! http://www.machinadynamica.com/machina17.htm

In terms of grille surface area that the buttons cover, it's maybe 10-15%?
I'll try simulating it with my MS-1's later and report back

 

[warubozu]

Maybe, but I doubt I would be able to hear the difference.