Hey, everyone!

I purchased my 2C's back in April, EQ-ed them and have been pretty much using them daily for up to 8 hours, if not more. I recently noticed that the left earcup pad still looks like new, but the one on the right cup is...compressed? It's almost half the thickness of the left one. This doesn't seem to affect how they sound in any way, but it is making me tempted to replace them.

Now, I'd just get originals directly from Audeze, but I wanted to ask: is there an alternative that would improve bass impact? The bass is amazing as it is, with great rumble, but I always felt it could slam more. I know that planars and impact/slam aren't the best of friends, but thought I'd ask.

Also, I see that Audeze offers leather and leather-free options. Are the leather ones an improvement over the leather-free ones (aka the ones I have)?

Thanks!

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Bassphile91 t1_iue7z0s wrote on October 30, 2022 at 5:40 PM

#350,281

I wondered the same myself. I haven't had any pad issues yet but if there's a noticeable improvement, it may be worth looking into

samaxemaga t1_iuecebe wrote on October 30, 2022 at 6:08 PM

#351,108

i got real sheepskin leather for other headphones and it feels good. If you are against killing animals for your selfish personal needs then get the egg protein leather.

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Sheepskin-Compatible-High-Density-Excellent/dp/B07R2FKMTD/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2C88I9PSYI2X5&keywords=lcd2+headphones+ear+pads&qid=1667153184&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjA4IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&s=electronics&sprefix=lcd2+headphones+ear+pads%2Celectronics%2C144&sr=1-3

Bassphile91 t1_iueebln wrote on October 30, 2022 at 6:20 PM

#351,459

Replying to samaxemaga (#351,108)

But does it sound any better? And if so, how many animal souls must i trade for a slight improvement to sound?

samaxemaga t1_iuefx4r wrote on October 30, 2022 at 6:31 PM

#351,764

Replying to Bassphile91 (#351,459)

depends:

for airpod max, the sound is same as the stock fabric.

for Steelseries Arctic Pro, sheepskin leather sounded better than stock fabric.

for SennHeiser HD800s, leather caused a tighter fit because its thicker cushion.....that changed the sound dynamic vs the stock fabric. I went back to fabric because HD800s are known to be loose fitting - less clampy, whcih is why its the best headphone out there. can wear it for 12 hours and not notice it.

For yours, you may already be accustomed to a clampy feel.

atyne_mar t1_iueit3t wrote on October 30, 2022 at 6:50 PM

#352,334

>Audeze offers leather and leather-free options. Are the leather ones an improvement over the leather-free ones (aka the ones I have)?

AFAIK the difference between leather and leather-free pads shouldn't be higher than the difference between each individual pair of pads of the same type.

The real question is, do you have the latest thinner 2021 pads or the memory foam ones? The latest ones should improve both bass and midrange.

NangFTW OP t1_iuevt7d wrote on October 30, 2022 at 8:15 PM

#355,014

Replying to atyne_mar (#352,334)

I have the new ones! Don't get me wrong, they're great and I'm really happy with how they sound. I was just wondering if the leather ones are known to improve the sound in any way.

hamipe26 t1_iugl5b4 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 3:59 AM

#370,271

You’re not really going to improve bass impact on a headphone by changing pads or EQ. A more powerful or a warm amp may improve that quality, some amps are just very dynamic and lush, others are just sterile sounding but people like those because “neutral sound.”