[DeweyCH]

That is what I use, Eikon with Dekoni attenuation rings

First impressions, I think I like them w/o the rings better. Rings accentuate the bass nicely, but I feel like the Eikons w/o rings sound super neutral and clean, which is my preference. I'll have to do a similar test with the Teak cups instead of the Rosewood ones I currently have installed.

 

[amoeba1126]

Will be getting some Eikon pads, already have the attenuation rings used with Dekoni Perf Leather (not a huge fan)

I am not a fan either, but I will say this about Dekoni; they are willing to work with customers to improve their products. That means they are good folks in my book. When they first came out with their sheepskin pads for the TH-X00, I was an early adopter and immediately noticed the alteration in sound quality, specifically the bass. They took the feedback seriously, determined what was missing, and tried to address it with attenuation rings which they sent out prototypes for further feedback. While they could never perfectly replicate the stock TH-X00 sounds, their reception to feedback goes a long way for me.

 

[afilen]

I am not a fan either, but I will say this about Dekoni; they are willing to work with customers to improve their products. That means they are good folks in my book. When they first came out with their sheepskin pads for the TH-X00, I was an early adopter and immediately noticed the alternation in sound quality, specifically the bass. They took the feedback seriously, determined what was missing, and tried to address it with attenuation rings which they sent out prototypes for further feedback. While they could never perfectly replicate the stock TH-X00 sounds, their reception to feedback goes a long way for me.

Oh wow, good to know! I feel like the pads improve in long-session comfort but unfortunately, decrease that wonderful Teak bass I've come to love

 

[amoeba1126]

First impressions, I think I like them w/o the rings better. Rings accentuate the bass nicely, but I feel like the Eikons w/o rings sound super neutral and clean, which is my preference. I'll have to do a similar test with the Teak cups instead of the Rosewood ones I currently have installed.

I was the opposite. I got the TH-X00 (basically E-MU Teaks) for the exciting and colored sound signature. My TH-X00 uses ebony cups though, which actually makes it sound more clean.

 

[DeweyCH]

I was the opposite. I got the TH-X00 (basically E-MU Teaks) for the exciting and colored sound signature. My TH-X00 uses ebony cups though, which actually makes it sound more clean.

I had TH-X00 Mahoganies already when I got the Teaks, I like these because they're less in-your-face and more polite and refined (for lack of a better descriptor) than their Fostex bretheren. And for those purposes, no attenuation rings w/the Eikon pads seems, at first blush at least, to be a better solution. But I'll have to give it more than a handful of songs either way to really decide.

 

[amoeba1126]

I had TH-X00 Mahoganies already when I got the Teaks, I like these because they're less in-your-face and more polite and refined (for lack of a better descriptor) than their Fostex bretheren. And for those purposes, no attenuation rings w/the Eikon pads seems, at first blush at least, to be a better solution. But I'll have to give it more than a handful of songs either way to really decide.

That was actually why I replaced the mahogany cups with ebony cups, to tone down the excitement a bit.

 

[amoeba1126]

 

[afilen]

Pad rolling done. ZMF Eikons in lambskin win for me. Tried a bunch of Dekoni ones - perf leather, leather, hybrid, perf leather TH-900 - as well as the stock pads. All good, but I REALLY like the comfort/sound combo of the ZMF pads. Gonna try adding the Dekoni attenuation rings to see what it does to the bass, which is kinda tamed - fully there, extremely clear, but tamer than it was with stocks.

Got the ZMF Eikon pads today along with their Co-pilot pad - man oh man, it's like this is how the Teaks were meant to be, both in terms of comfort and sound. Many thanks for the recommendation!

 

[amoeba1126]

Got the ZMF Eikon pads today along with their Co-pilot pad - man oh man, it's like this is how the Teaks were meant to be, both in terms of comfort and sound. Many thanks for the recommendation!

Are you using them with or without the ring?

 

[afilen]

Are you using them with or without the ring?

Without the rings actually!

 

[amoeba1126]

Without the rings actually!

I find the rings add back some bass, but closes it off more. I will have to try with the stock rings from the original pads.

 

[afilen]

I find the rings add back some bass, but closes it off more. I will have to try with the stock rings from the original pads.

Good to know, I’ll try it out later tonight!

 

[DeweyCH]

I find the rings add back some bass, but closes it off more. I will have to try with the stock rings from the original pads.

Did you dissect the original pads to get the rings out?

 

[amoeba1126]

Did you dissect the original pads to get the rings out?

Yes, had to play an intense game of operation

 

[Hallibart Aery]

But I digress, the Zebra wood has this natural tonality in it's midrange that is a tad bit colder and more forward than the Teak.

Long time lurker here.
I've been always wondering what the other cups would sound like since there's not a lot of talk going on about them despite the variety also increasing over time, thanks for the detailed review. Are you planning to review Emu's Purpleheart cup, as well? I believe that wasn't an option before.
If my memory serves me right Zebra wood happens to be what Denon uses in their ah-d5000 clone(?) aka ah-d5200. One thing that caught my eye in your review was the part about it sounding intimate which happens to be one of the reasons why people don't tend to like the tonality of the Mahogany too much, so it would be interesting what merits overall the Zebra brings to the game over that.

I was previously using a th-x00 with Emu ebony cups but I couldn't keep resisting anymore after reading all the good reviews and ordered a Teak in their place, it should arrive next week.
I have no idea what to do with the import fees, this is the first time I read that Emu declares such a low value, which is great, but customs here usually ask for a copy of the order confirmation e-mail, too. I guess I will just bite the bullet if it comes to that.