Hey guys just want to share some mod i made with my grado using some aftermarket pleather pads (
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Rep...000&pvid=878cd387-a27f-49bb-85ba-dd4a1e5175d8), grado usually doesn't go well with this kind of pads and is true, however i find this specific pads to add a lot of bass, better imaging, more pronounced microdetails when corrected, never expected for grados to be this good in terms of bass extension until Ive done this.
Ive manage to install the pads by doing a plastic cutoff that will fit the oval opening into a circle like this.
then i added extra foam to close up the sound and acts as a friction base to prevent the pads to rotate
after that time to install the pads and do the testing.
btw, its way more comfortable using these than s or g cush pads.
The sound when uncorrected: very well extended low freq but too much boost in 200-600hz it will sound very bloated, need to turn it down a couple of db as it affects the vocal clarity so much. but the good side is the sibilance disappeared entirely.
after correction: a very good amount of rumbling, tight bass with very good extension, no sibilance, vocals a lil bit pushed back, very warm sounding, a lil bit dark on the treble region but still existent.
All I can say is that, this is the most worthwhile mod Ive made so far better than changing usual grado pads or vent holes. but the sound signature of grado isnt there anymore, its sounds like a whole new headphones.
i tried to eq it for the vocals to be not recessed and trebles retains it quantity, thanks to grados default 2khz peak i dont need much work for it, the bass however is far away from neutral, if i could compare it, its as close to m40x/cb-1 kind of bass but with better extension.
Final conclusion: the sound signature of this mod is quite different from the usual grado house sound. but everything i found negative on the grado fixes it, comfort issues, low freq roll-off, graininess, sibilance. also improves microdetails, imaging and depth by a lot.
