pk4425
1000+ Head-Fier
Got my mitts today on the AliExpress velour pads that look like the Dekoni or Beautiful Audio pads, but at a whopping price of $9 with shipping. Initial impressions on my 325x, following up @elvergun and @jsk ksj:
Pad swapping is fun with Grados. It also changes the sound more than anything else, including EQ or amps.
- They fit -- Very well. A bit snug to get the vinyl over the driver cups, but not that bad.
- They are very very comfortable -- Super comfortable. Way more comfy than any stock Grado or Geekria pad. Not even close.
- Like having pillows on your head -- Pillows around your head and over your ear. These turn Grados into over-ears.
- Sound varies depending on distance of drivers to the ear, needs to be played with -- This is one of my problems. I think the distance is almost too far. These are WAY deeper than even the Geekria G "bowl" pads. There are two negative effects. One, you need to increase the volume. Not a biggie, especially with a can this easy to drive. Two, it makes the sound somewhat hollow due to the distance. Not awful, like sound echoing in a cave. But it's not the same as the stock or the Geekria G pads. You still get the expanded soundstage and nice detail with these that the Geekria G "bowls" deliver compared to stock. I think the bass and treble balance doesn't really change that much with these, though. It's just a more hollow sound, probably due to the significantly increased distance from your ear to the driver.
- More sibilance? -- Without question. This is my biggest initial problem with these pads. The increased sibilance is noticeable -- and annoying -- on a lot of tracks. The "S" in some songs sounds is so bad it resembles a bike tire with a cut tube. SSSSSssssssssssss ...
- That vinyl on the back is thin. Repeated pad swapping might result in tearing? -- No problems so far.
- The dog is looking at them with a jealous eye.... -- I own cats. They like to scratch furniture, not chew pads. All is well.
Pad swapping is fun with Grados. It also changes the sound more than anything else, including EQ or amps.
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