Sennheiser HD6oo-series, good looking replacement pads

[Heinrich]

I'm reviving my Sennheiser HD58X. The Chinese earpads I ordered look like hod rod tires on a Toyota Camry, they are just to voluminous. As audio is, at least for me, also about vanity, this doesn't work. Needless to say that the sleek and slender industrial design of the sennies it just about right, with the HD58X appearing even nice and humble, and I won't spoil it.

The original replacement from Sennheiser doesn't work either. 40 bucks are a quarter to third of the can's total price, shipping/customs/taxes included. Additionally it was reported that the design and make has changed also.

I'm not after the sound signature, just looks. It should be a slim and unobstrusive of a form factor as the first originals. Any color as long as it's black, and could be faux leather too.

 

[threni]

"As audio is, at least for me, also about vanity,.....I'm not after the sound signature, just looks"
Hmmm.

Anyway, I get all my pads and other consumables from eBay, checking out the photos very carefully first. There seem to be two main sorts of pads; felt/fluffy ones (like on the HD 660S) or more rubbery/plasticy/synthetic (like on the Sony WH-1000XMx range). Sometimes replacements for the former have the appearance of the latter, so maybe be careful there.

 

[Joachim Herbert]

Pads define the sound to a large degree. Looks and sound are not related by any means.

 

[unpluggged]

The original replacement from Sennheiser doesn't work either. 40 bucks are a quarter to third of the can's total price, shipping/customs/taxes included.

If you want to mess up your sound, get whichever pads you like.

 

[mc.god]

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/32860322272.html

@solderdude on Diyaudioheaven mentioned this Poyatu brand as a not bad alternative for HD560, maybe the HD600 version is also good. HD600 chinese pads were also tested but not specified the "brand".

 

[Heinrich]

If you want to mess up your sound, get whichever pads you like.

For sound I‘ve got the equalizer. It is a mixed bag anyway. My HD58X to me sound quite a bit thick and dull out of the box. For other than podcasts I need to lighten it up.
The particular Chinese velours pads I have tone down the bass by 4dB, raise the treble by 1dB and smoothen it considerably, except for a single peak of Q=6, +8dB at 5.3kHz.

My problem is them, while snapping in perfectly, being about 5mm to wide and thick. The sculptural shape of the headphone is demaged. Thanks for the tips so far, I‘m really after the looks.

 

[Heinrich]

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/32860322272.html

@solderdude on Diyaudioheaven mentioned this Poyatu brand as a not bad alternative for HD560, maybe the HD600 version is also good. HD600 chinese pads were also tested but not specified the "brand".

Kudos again to USER=2693]@solderdude[/USER], a really great write-up on pads. Much of his findings I find confirmed. Will give his recommendation a try, plus some rectangular profile faux leather pads for the looks.

Happy new year indeed!