[427546]

Just installed the Suede pads, a couple quick impressions.

Installation was super easy.
A step up in comfort.
Soundstage is definitely wider.
Bass has more impact.
Vocals feel more spacious and smooth.
Treble is smoother as well.

One negative is that the pads don't feel or look super premium. ZMF pads, on the other hand, feel and look fantastic: these look and feel okay. The sound makes up for it though.

 

[Steve Wilcox]

Good to hear! I've ordered the faux suede pads, mainly to get better comfort as I'm finding the stock pads pretty uncomfortable.

I'm surprised there's no real leather/suede option for the Ether 2. The leather pads for my Alpha Dogs and LCD2s look and feel great. The stock Ether 2 pads look and feel pretty poor really, given the price of the phones. Are the sound properties of synthetic pads superior?

 

[mrspeakers]

Good to hear! I've ordered the faux suede pads, mainly to get better comfort as I'm finding the stock pads pretty uncomfortable.

I'm surprised there's no real leather/suede option for the Ether 2. The leather pads for my Alpha Dogs and LCD2s look and feel great. The stock Ether 2 pads look and feel pretty poor really, given the price of the phones. Are the sound properties of synthetic pads superior?

You can't weld leather to the flexible plate required to make the system work.

 

[Steve Wilcox]

But you could have an appropriate material permanently attached to the inside of leather pads that, in turn, attached to the headphones?

 

[JM1979]

But you could have an appropriate material permanently attached to the inside of leather pads that, in turn, attached to the headphones?

Then the appropriate material would separate from the leather ear pads over time and we’d all be on Dan’s front porch with pitch forks and torches.

 

[mrspeakers]

Then the appropriate material would separate from the leather ear pads over time and we’d all be on Dan’s front porch with pitch forks and torches.

...and my HOA specifically bans protestors with pitchforks and torches!

 

[Mastro]

Got a pair of each of the new pads on the way, not because of need, but just in case.
The E2's sit comfy on my noggin and sound....well, we all know how they sound. Got the Woo Audio Fireflies set-up with Siemens ECC 82's in the power block and sometimes i can't believe what i'm hearing (Hytrons & RCA Clear-tops arriving soon).
As my 1st pair of high-end cans i think i did well (U2 Dan), quick question is anybody using these with another brand of cable.
Thnx

 

[donato]

Got a pair of each of the new pads on the way, not because of need, but just in case.
The E2's sit comfy on my noggin and sound....well, we all know how they sound. Got the Woo Audio Fireflies set-up with Siemens ECC 82's in the power block and sometimes i can't believe what i'm hearing (Hytrons & RCA Clear-tops arriving soon).
As my 1st pair of high-end cans i think i did well (U2 Dan), quick question is anybody using these with another brand of cable.
Thnx

Wow, for your first pair of high end HPs, you did really well.

I have a pair of Norne S3 on order for my E2. I'll post my comparison once I have a chance to play with them. Generally speaking, I've found a Norne silver to be my favorite cable with my LCD-4, Auteur, HEK V2 so I'm very hopeful it will be the same case with the E2. That being said, in the scheme of things, cable differences are relatively subtle compared to equipment changes (or even pad changes), but in my experience so far, if you really want to extract the most out of what you have, then you also have to optimize your cables too.

 

[zappazappazappa]

Got a pair of each of the new pads on the way, not because of need, but just in case.
The E2's sit comfy on my noggin and sound....well, we all know how they sound. Got the Woo Audio Fireflies set-up with Siemens ECC 82's in the power block and sometimes i can't believe what i'm hearing (Hytrons & RCA Clear-tops arriving soon).
As my 1st pair of high-end cans i think i did well (U2 Dan), quick question is anybody using these with another brand of cable.
Thnx

I am using the Forza Audio Noir Hybrid HPC which I originally purchased for use with my Ether Flow Open's. Build quality is excellent and IMO it offers superior resolution of detail and layering/space compared to the supplied Vivo cable, which is perfectly decent but sounds a little homogenous to my ears. A couple of caveats to anyone thinking of buying the Forza: it took an age to run in properly (I didn't keep a record but maybe a couple of months of listening 2/3 hours a night). Also Forza Audio is a one man company so a little patience waiting for your delivery may be required.

 

[Xcalibur255]

I'll second Norne. I have a Norne cable on both my Ether and my LCD-2 and in both cases it improved my enjoyment of the headphone substantially. Trevor is a great guy and makes a great product.

 

[Steve Wilcox]

Then the appropriate material would separate from the leather ear pads over time and we’d all be on Dan’s front porch with pitch forks and torches.

hmmm. They manage to attach leather uppers to the soles of shoes that cost a lot less than these ear pads. And they get a tad more wear and tear but generally stay together.

 

[sjk4479]

Personally, I don't think the Ether 2 is too dark at all. Treble seems very present. So, I would be interested in the slightly warmer sound and softer fit that the suede pads offer. But, my DIY/fine motor skills are ****, and I have zero confidence in myself to replace the pads correctly. I'm going to wait for braver users than me to report back....

It's super simple and I haven't had any issues switching between the suede and perforated pads. Just switched back over to the perforated actually. Haven't gone back to the original pads yet.

 

[eIndi]

@mrspeakers when will the factory pad removable upgrade become available?

 

[JM1979]

It's super simple and I haven't had any issues switching between the suede and perforated pads. Just switched back over to the perforated actually. Haven't gone back to the original pads yet.

What do you think about the perforated pads in relation to the suede?

 

[Bern2]

@mrspeakers when will the factory pad removable upgrade become available?

I'd actually like to just be able to order the suede pad as an option from the beginning. (at time of sale without the original pad). It seems the majority find it to be an upgrade in comfort (which is a priority for me).

Bern