Explains the many varying claims. I'm not doubting it but strange how one model can be so different from unit to unit. Doesn't help with my original question about 940 pads. That's going to be down to the individual unit also if this is the case.
You would be suprised at how different the same model headphones can sound. It all comes down to deviations in manufacturing. This applies to practically
everything. For example, if you took two new stock cars from the same dealership and raced them at the same track with equal drivers, they would probably get very similar if not the same times. Since the two cars came from the same dealership, they most likely also came off the same production line. However, let's say you take the same model car from two different dealerships from two different locations, and race them at the same track with equal drivers - the times will most likely be more different than the two from the same dealership because they may have came off different producton lines with different crew shifts, engines that came from different batches, etc. Same logic applies to headphones. For example, if you buy multiple headphone from lets say Amazon, at the same time, chances are they are going to sound the same because they are probably from the same batch. But let's say you wait a few months, or even years and purchase the exact same model headphone from a different or even the same vendor, chances are it's going to sound different because it's different stock. Don't misunderstand, they will not sound like a
completely different brand headphone, but
there will be differences in the sound ranging from the soundstage, to the EQ of the highs, mids, lows, crispness, etc.
Higher model products will have more consistency because of tighter tolerance/QC, but that of course comes at a higher price... Also, this applies to complex parts. I doubt the consistency would vary too much with simpler items like ear pads. I swap my SRH840 pads frequently and they don't seem to change the sound if they have similar wear (on the same headphones). If the pads are older and have more wear, they are usually softer, then the sound is more forward because the pads are flatter thus my ears sit closer to the drivers.
I know I am probably ranting, but I feel that it's important to realize that not all headphones are created equally,
even if they are the same model...
As for your question about the SRH940 pads, I don't have them so I'm not sure how the sound would exactly be affected, but I have used other pads with the 440s and 840s and in my experience the velour/fabric ear pads usually clean and increase the soundstage, but sacrifices bass, sometimes significantly. In contrast, if you put (p)leather ear pads on headphones that come stock with velour/fabric pads, then the bass is
increased. As for how the highs and mids will be affected, it will depend on factors like if the 940 pads have a foam backing and if the back of the pads are vented like the 840 pads. If you get the 940 pads, post your experience here for others.
I am going to cut and paste from a previous post:
"Also, I should disclose it is kind of a gamble because not all SRH440s will perform as well mine do, but then again the same can be said for virtually ANY headphones as I own multiple headphones of all kinds and some just do not sound as good as others, but when you get a good one you will know it. I have a several pairs of SRH440s that sound great with SRH840 Pads, and a few that did not improve as well with them. They all had a few things in commons: The ones that sounded good modded with the 840 pads had extremely forward highs/mids in stock form. The ones that did not improve as much, ironically sounded good and were not harsh/forward with the stock pads, go figure =\ they still sounded better than most headphones though... just not as well as the others with the 840 pads. The 840 pads have openings in the back of the ear pads that create more volume for bass. But the 840 pads also have a foam backing, which dampens highs and mids, which works very well for the the 440s with the extreme highs and mids, but dampens/muffles the 440s that already sound good with the stock pads. I have thought about cutting the foam backing and experimenting, but have not yet done so. Maybe in the future..."
Where's the original post? A link would help. Thanks.
I cut the the dust covers off my 940 pads (used with my T50RP) to make room for my ears and it made the treble a little hot. That can be fixed, however, by putting some transpore tape and stiff adhesive felt on the
outside over the driver, where the dust cover was resting.
I just added some adhesive felt to the 440 to see if it helps with the fatiguing sound I heard earlier today. Note: still far from completely burned in.
Heres a link to the original post:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/714246/amazon-used-ultrasone-580-headphones/15#post_10451073
Also a pic of my 440s to backup my claim. They all have different characteristics. None of them sound
exactly the same, although some share very similar traits. Obviously, I still like their sound signatures. However, the differences mean that one person's mod may not work as well for another person's headphones. Case in point, ear pads. Please take it for what it's worth for your future modding efforts.
