[artvandelay9]

Exactly, one of the reasons I love the Aeolus is because it ISN'T neutral. But I can understand why someone might want to push Aeolus a little towards neutral - everyone's tastes are different, after all.

For sure; if anything in speaks to how good the headphones are that a simple pad swap can please both crowds. Even if our side is the smaller one!

 

[breakfree40]

I've gone back and forth between stock Aeolus (perf lamb) and Universe suede perf pads for a month-ish now. I couldn't really find a comfortable place to be with either pads on my ears YMMV. I wasn't a huge fan of the stock pads and when I changed to the universe perf suede on the Aeolus I was impressed, but always ended up just switching headphones to the Verite C with suedes... which did everything better.

A few days ago I decided to place the stock pads from the VC (Auteur lambskin) on the Aeolus and I haven't been able to put them down since. To my ears these pads keep the warm lean that kept the open Aeolus different and pleasurable but it does something a little different than the stock pads. "Cleans things up" is what my brain keeps telling me to type but I am not sure that will tell you much. "Less muddy" in the mid bass perhaps... but that would imply that the Aeolus in stock form is muddy and that is NOT what I am saying.

It's a good combo, I'll leave it at that! Especially if you like the stock signature of the Aeolus but want a little twist.

 

[zach915m]

Same, I much prefer the stock pads vs the others I've tried including the Universe Suede. I have limited interest in "neutral" sound from headphones though so YMMV I guess.



I wouldn't call any ZMF dynamic bright. The Auteur have the most treble presence from the lineup IMO, but it's still rounded and not sharp or grating. I'm pretty treble sensitive and haven't found any ZMF to be fatiguing from a sound perspective.

Exactly, one of the reasons I love the Aeolus is because it ISN'T neutral. But I can understand why someone might want to push Aeolus a little towards neutral - everyone's tastes are different, after all.

The universe lambskin pad is very close to the aeolus pad without the extra added hump in the bass around 200 hz, so don't worry the sound signiture of the headphone isn't really changing. The u suede pad has always been the more neutral version.

 

[Odin412]

I love the stock pads on the Aeolus. Anyone else?? *sheepishly raises hand*

Absolutely - I love them too. You're not alone!

 

[wenbinbin2010]

We actually will be discontinuing the Aeolus pads very shortly. Not because I don't love them for a warm inviting sound, but they did turn out to be somewhat too warm for most. The reason we went with them is because they made the sound more alike the Atticus, but in hind-sight that "Atticus" like sound isn't the reason most go for open headphones.

The stock pad on the Aeolus will become the Universe Lamb - which is close to the aeolus - but with less "hump" in the lower mids that can make them too warm for some.

Lambskin pads will for the foreseeable future stock pads on all headphones, but I definitely like the suede pads for a more neutral, smoother sound.

I too love the stock Aeolus pads, since I can pair them with certain tubes that are brighter, but have better overall characteristics. I also personally feel like leather is more hygienic...scarred by a set of filthy suede pads on a used Focal Clear.

 

[zach915m]

I too love the stock Aeolus pads, since I can pair them with certain tubes that are brighter, but have better overall characteristics. I also personally feel like leather is more hygienic...scarred by a set of filthy suede pads on a used Focal Clear.

We're not getting rid of the leather as the stock pad - just going to use the Universe Lamb since the Aeolus pad and Universe lamb sound very close.

 

[InstantSilence]

We're not getting rid of the leather as the stock pad - just going to use the Universe Lamb since the Aeolus pad and Universe lamb sound very close.

Which of your headphones is the smoothers, shouty free, no peaks in sound?

 

[YtseJamer]

Which of your headphones is the smoothers, shouty free, no peaks in sound?

Dude, I don't understand what you don't understand? I already told you that it's the Aeolus. Sorry, but I'm getting mad when I see peoples like you asking questions about products reviewed many times here on this forum and on YouTube. Hence the reason why I have replied to your previous questions with videos! I also replied to your private messages and I told you to go with the VC after you said "Also budget is no problem, and resolution must be maintained as much as possible".

 

[NickT23]

Dude, I don't understand what you don't understand? I already told you that it's the Aeolus. Sorry, but I'm getting mad when I see peoples like you asking questions about products reviewed many times here on this forum and on YouTube. Hence the reason why I have replied to your previous questions with videos! I also replied to your private messages and I told you to go with the VC after you said "Also budget is no problem, and resolution must be maintained as much as possible".

Its ok, calm down. We can all try to be nice to each other. Just help me if he misunderstood.

 

[NickT23]

Its ok, calm down. We can all try to be nice to each other. Just help me if he misunderstood.

Help him*

 

[InstantSilence]

Dude, I don't understand what you don't understand? I already told you that it's the Aeolus. Sorry, but I'm getting mad when I see peoples like you asking questions about products reviewed many times here on this forum and on YouTube. Hence the reason why I have replied to your previous questions with videos! I also replied to your private messages and I told you to go with the VC after you said "Also budget is no problem, and resolution must be maintained as much as possible".

Some of the reviews say contradicting things pertaining to tone and it gets confusing.
But thanks for your help.

 

[YtseJamer]

Some of the reviews say contradicting things pertaining to tone and it gets confusing.
But thanks for your help.

Since you have the budget, why are you not buying the Aeolus and the VC to judge by yourself?

 

[InstantSilence]

Since you have the budget, why are you not buying the Aeolus and the VC to judge by yourself?

I like to demo things before I purchase. If I have a budget doesn't mean I spend up abd have to deal with reselling ect.
I'll figure it out. Thanks again.

 

[YtseJamer]

Its ok, calm down. We can all try to be nice to each other. Just help me if he misunderstood.

Hey, I'm always willing to help peoples here, especially when they are asking relevant and unanswered questions that make sense.

 

[haasaaroni]

I like to demo things before I purchase. If I have a budget doesn't mean I spend up abd have to deal with reselling ect.
I'll figure it out. Thanks again.

Hey man, me too!

But just to chime in with my experince, even demoing something, you can't be sure how you'll like it once you take it home. I demoed the Aeolus (and some other ZMF's) a year and a half ago at a store near me, and really didn't like the sound. In hindsight, I think it's because I heard them with the stock pads on a very warm tube amp. They were way too warm, too bloated, and too veiled (for me).

Eventually I ordered a set of my own along with the U Suede pads, and after a day of adjusting to their sound on a more neutral tube amp, they're easily favorite pair of headphones. Still very warm, but with excellent clarity, super liquid, no peaks, no shout, and just a really enjoyable, natural sound (coming from an HD 6XX). I literally just had to change the pads and live with them for a full day.

And man, I'm sure you've seen on the for sale forums, but a used pair of Aeolus sells within the day, almost every time. And with such high resale value! So I wouldn't even worry about that part.

Hope this helps!