ZMF ear pads compendium

It's hard.

I label mine, and I've bugged zach about putting clothing labels on them more than once.

A lot of it is in the shape of the internal foam and the squishosity of said foam, so putting them back-to-back or front-to-front and squishing both slightly with your finger will show you which is actually thinner, because these are elastic materials so the outer wrap tends to mask small differences.

 

Received my new Auteur perforated lambskin as originals were quite worn after 18 months of use. Zach noted the newer versions were slightly firmer and also sent along the newer screw-in tuning material. No drastic changes, bass is a bit more in quantity, highs slightly smoother, mids still a euphonic pleasure. Overall tonality and character is unchanged. I'm very happy with these.

 

What is the reason on the chart for the "Perforated pads are for open headphones" statement...or is it a warning...anyone know?

https://www.zmfheadphones.com/zmfpads

edit: I ask because I was thinking about ordering Universe perforated and Auteur perforated for Verite Closed in search of a bit more neutral FR/less congested vocal mids (the verite pads are too flat - I have comfort issues with them)...

 

You want closed pads for VC, leather, suede or hybrid.

 

Like you Taverius I don't like suede on the skin (so I don't want suede or hybrid). Why would I not want perforated however? Is it like crossing the streams, leading to total protonic reversal? Would they move the vocal mids in the opposite direction from what I am wanting perhaps?

 

The closed cans are tuned with solid pads and vice versa, so solid pads on open cans will sound bassy, congested and boomy, while perf on closed cans will go the opposite.

Its less to do with the pads and more to do with the pressure dynamics, it would be like taking drivers and crossover from a sealed speaker and making them open baffle without changing anything.

Ok, not quite that extreme, perforated pads still have quite a bit of seal, but it gives the picture.

 

I just received new BE-2 pads, and they have a small label inside the collar. The other pads I have do not have any labels, including two other pairs received at the same time as the BE-2s. Hopefully they are putting labels on all pads from now on.

I've been putting mine in separate Ziplock bags with a piece of paper to tell me which pads are which.

 

I got Eikon Suede (ES) pads this week for my Camphor Eikon, and will briefly compare to the stock Eikon Lambskin (EL pads). Still sounds like an Eikon, all changes are small.

-Stage is smaller on the suede

-Sub and mid-bass registers are still there but less noticeable, hit softer, less wow factor. Much (relatively) less thickness and bounce in midbass. Arguably better tho, bass blends in more naturally to the lower mids, kinda like an HD800 on a warm rig

-Despite less bass, the suede feels like it seals around my head better

-Treble definitely still rolls off, but sounds calmer with less excited peaks. Makes for a more relaxed listening experience. Arguably better, or at least more neutral/natural.

I'd make the argument the ES pads make the Eikon "better", if the goal is a slightly bassy and warm closed back, with a lush and natural midrange, and somewhat rolled off treble. I have an Eikon for fun and color though, so I'll likely stick to the stock EL pads except in the summer when the ES is (likely) a cooler wear.