[Hairspray]

  It seems like the genuine HD430 pads are available easily for around 20 bucks; can someone confirm that the mounting ring is physicallly the same size as the one in the HD540 II?

 
Yes. I do confirm (for 540 Ref I and II).

 

[Hairspray]

Anyway, if "realism" (timbre + imaging) is the most important criteria, I think we will all agree that this thread should be moved to the "Summit-Fi (High-End Audio)" section.
LOL (admins, no, don't)
.

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

 
Do you have to cut back the plastic on the pad to get the ring to fit in the back of the pad?

Yes, you have to cut away some plastic. It's not easy to transplant the ring because the materials are so stiff. I had the break the old ring to remove it then cut the material close to the edge to give enough space to force the new ring in. It's something of a nuisance but gives better results than the HD250 pleather. Still not happy with it though. Does anyone here have flattened/dirty/useless HD540II velour pads that they don't want? I need to see if I can rebuild and clean old pads using some equipment and materials.

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

   "Summit-Fi (High-End Audio)"

 
Isn't "High-End" generally reserved for snobbery and expensively priced equipment that tends to underperform?? .................
 
 
To tell you the truth, I doubt that many people will take anything I've said in this topic seriously. They will likely assume that I haven't got a clue what I'm talking about. They probably won't take any of us seriously.

 

[Bostonears]

  The best alternative to the original velour I have found so far is the HD560 velour pads. Just have to remove the HD560 plastic backing ring and replace it with a HD250/HD540 backing ring, for it to be attachable. This velour earpad has a backing plastic though, that the velour attaches to. This is a reflective face for internal sound reflections and constricts the imaging as the radial spread is reduced as well. I will keep my eye out for an alternative..

 
In this old thread, post #8 shows the back of the HD540 II and HD560 pads side-by-side, and post #13 shows a 540 ring transplanted into a 560 pad.
 
Regarding the backing plastic on the HD560 velour mentioned by o0CosmoMemory0o, note in the post #8 photo that the 560 pad has extra plastic around its earhole that's not in the HD540 pad. If you're really careful, you can remove a couple of millimeters of this innermost plastic ring (NOT the mounting ring!) with a Dremel tool, tapering the shape to reduce the sonic effect it has. (If you're not really careful, you'll ruin your HD560 pads.) If you want to make that Dremel mod, for easiest handling I suggest doing it after you remove the HD560 mounting ring, but before you install the HD540 mounting ring.

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

 
This picture from that other thread pretty much sums up the issue with the HD560 pads. The plastic face to the inside of the binding ring prevents sound waves moving through the velour from the back, constricting the stereo image noticeably IMO. This pad design is what probably holds back the performance of the HD560 as well.

 

[Hairspray]

   
Isn't "High-End" generally reserved for snobbery and expensively priced equipment that tends to underperform?? .................
 
 
To tell you the truth, I doubt that many people will take anything I've said in this topic seriously. They will likely assume that I haven't got a clue what I'm talking about. They probably won't take any of us seriously.

 
so true... sadly...

 

[Claritas]

To tell you the truth, I doubt that many people will take anything I've said in this topic seriously. They will likely assume that I haven't got a clue what I'm talking about. They probably won't take any of us seriously.

I've had that over there because of my preference for older AKGs.

Too many of those guys are either collectors who love everything so long as it costs a grand or are inexperienced listeners who've bought a flagship as their first purchase.

I think it's wiser to keep the thread here for the mood and the exposure.

 

[Hairspray]

[...] I think it's wiser to keep the thread here for the mood and the exposure.

 
100% agree
I was joking.
Leave it in the general equipment forum.
We are not a sect, an esoteric cult  or something.

 

[GREQ]

 
We are not a sect, an esoteric cult  or something.

Sometimes I'm not so sure... 

 
Many headfiers do exhibit some interesting social behaviours such as
- gullibility
- forming groups that worship specific headphones
- intolerance to others opinions 
- faith in cables
- performing a strange ritual called 'burning-in'
- following their own personal gurus, for example Jude or Tyll
- abiding by a personal religious text, for example 'Battle of the Flagships'
- the belief that their problems can be solved by throwing large sums of money at them
- and occasionally the group seems to attract nutters who claim they have discovered the path to audio-enlightenment or that they have achieved audio-nirvana
 
OK I'll stop now before I get banned. 

 

[Claritas]

Who am I to question the nature of Headfaith? :tongue_smile:

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

I'm enthusiastic about video game music, believe it or not. High fidelity reproduction was simply a means to give my video game soundtracks the transparent and high resolution playback that they deserve. But I use the HD540II to appreciate all music, especially video game scores.

 

[o0CosmoMemory0o]

 

 
 
Yeah, I hold my hand up. I am a bit of a nutter so I guess I'm in the right place.

 

[Hairspray]

  Sometimes I'm not so sure... 

 
Many headfiers do exhibit some interesting social behaviours such as
- gullibility
- forming groups that worship specific headphones
- intolerance to others opinions 
- faith in cables
- performing a strange ritual called 'burning-in'
- following their own personal gurus, for example Jude or Tyll
- abiding by a personal religious text, for example 'Battle of the Flagships'
- the belief that their problems can be solved by throwing large sums of money at them
- and occasionally the group seems to attract nutters who claim they have discovered the path to audio-enlightenment or that they have achieved audio-nirvana
 
OK I'll stop now before I get banned. 

know what? i have a master in sociology.
not joking, i'm a sociologist.
your statements are pretty relevant.

 

[Hairspray]

JEEEZZZ !!! 

 

 
Quote:

 
 

 
 
Yeah, I hold my hand up. I am a bit of a nutter so I guess I'm in the right place.