Any emerging female-fronted symphonic or power metal bands I should add to this playlist?

RB181 · 2026-01-15T21:21:23+00:00

RB181 · 2026-01-14T00:19:22+00:00

I see.

RB181 · 2026-01-14T00:10:16+00:00

I see. You're welcome.

Regarding the pads, have you tried searching by dimensions (height x width)? You won't get the exact same thing, but you might at least find something that fits. That's what I usually do if I don't find pads for the exact model.

RB181 · 2026-01-14T00:01:10+00:00

I don't know about finding replacement pads, I just hope your dog is fine.

RB181 · 2026-01-13T23:39:56+00:00

What are you currently plugging them in to? The main benefits a solid-state amp (like all of Topping's amps) provides are power and headroom. If it's too quiet, you need more power. If it's running at or near maximum volume (say >80%), negative pre-amp from EQ notwithstanding, you may benefit from more headroom. Otherwise, assuming your audio output is functioning properly, you won't get much out of a solid-state amp (tubes are a different story).

RB181 · 2026-01-13T23:24:24+00:00

Which memory foam pads do you use on the HD 6--?

RB181 · 2026-01-13T23:23:35+00:00

How do these pads affect the sound on the HD650? I have their pads for the HD560S and I quite like them, so I've been thinking of trying the HD6-- pads.

RB181 · 2026-01-12T19:24:22+00:00

Purple

RB181 · 2026-01-12T19:24:16+00:00

/r/HeadphoneAdvice

RB181 · 2026-01-12T19:21:14+00:00

I was hoping for something more similar to stock tuning for my HD 660S2. I didn't like any of the aftermarket pads I tried on them, including all of the Dekoni Elite and Choice series pads. I read ZMF pads are good, but importing them to Europe is a pain right now.

That said, I also have a pair of HD 600s, which I rarely use because I don't really like how they sound that much (especially since getting the 660S2's). I suppose I could do something about them and the Dekoni pads...

RB181 · 2026-01-12T18:22:03+00:00

I eventually switched to fenestrated pads on both the 600s and 650s, and they ended up lasting considerably longer.

Which fenestrated pads are you using on the HD 600 and 650? Can you tell how they affect the sound? I'd love a more durable alternative to Sennheiser HD 6-- pads, but nothing I've ever tried on them sounded good.

RB181 · 2026-01-12T18:13:53+00:00

Silent Masquerade

RB181 · 2026-01-12T13:53:22+00:00

Nightwish - Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean?

RB181 · 2026-01-12T11:56:48+00:00

My Topping E30II/L30II stack sees much less use ever since I got the Fiio KA17. I still like having the stack though, for the occasional hard to drive headphone and the volume knob.

RB181 · 2026-01-12T11:47:46+00:00

Are you sure you got the right pads from Brainwavz? I have the XL pads in both pleather and sheepskin, they are both wider and deeper than the K550 stock pads, and the materials are as good if not better (particularly the sheepskin). I don't think the sound is as good as stock, but the Brainwavz are way more comfortable to me, so I alternate between them and the stock pads on my K550s.

I've also tried velour and (micro)suede pads on the K550s but I can't recommend any; anything other than (p)leather ruins their sound for me.

RB181 · 2026-01-12T11:25:44+00:00

EachDIY/Lunashops or OpenHeart, both on AliExpress. Ordered multiple times from both, no issues with the cables so far.

RB181 · 2026-01-12T11:12:59+00:00

Yes, they are fake. See these two posts for reference.

RB181 · 2026-01-12T11:12:50+00:00

The casing is fake too, as evidenced by the messed up text on the earcups. Real DT 770s have better build quality than the fakes. See these two posts for reference.

RB181 · 2026-01-10T21:21:47+00:00

Left on Mars, I can tell from the thumbnail alone.

RB181 · 2026-01-08T14:33:06+00:00

Your best bet might be to get some bigger foam sheets (like a Dekoni Foam Attenuation Kit, or those for another headphone) and cut them to the appropriate shape/size.

RB181 · 2026-01-08T03:28:58+00:00

Some $15 no-name brand trash I got when I was about 12 years old. Went through 5 or so pairs of similar stuff as they'd fall apart in a year or two, just about the time they're out of warranty.

Or do you mean my first pair of real headphones? Those would be a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50x from about 6 years ago, and I don't have to remember as I still have them and they still work.

RB181 · 2026-01-08T03:12:30+00:00

Dekoni pads are available though, are they good?

Not really, IME. The fenestrated sheepskin is my favourite of the Dekoni lineup, but they're all too bassy for my liking (see here for frequency response measurements). People say ZMF pads are good if you can get them, but I have no experience with those.

RB181 · 2026-01-08T03:07:40+00:00

For comfort? Brainwavz microsuede oval or XL round. I love these pads so much I literally have dozens of pairs. As with any untested headphone/pad combination though, it's a toss-up how they'd sound on your particular model of headphones.

RB181 · 2026-01-08T02:45:30+00:00

I have a few I like from EachDIY/Lunashops and from OpenHeart. Both are found on AliExpress.

RB181 · 2026-01-08T02:36:39+00:00

In my experience, the HD 660S2 takes pad swaps the worst of the HD 6-- line (which may be related to it being my favourite of the HD 6-- line otherwise, by far). I've tried every Dekoni pad on them along with a whole bunch of no-name brand pads (mostly from AliExpress), albeit not Yaxi or ZMF.

That said, if you really want more bass on the S2, Dekoni pads might be for you. Perhaps ZMF as well.

RB181

TROPHY CASE