Comments on Profile Post by Torq

That's from doing a week's worth of direct A/B Phi/Phi CC comparisons (without the CC frame, just the CC pads). Including swapping pads between copies of the basic AB-1266 Phi.

People still unironically use planars???

Variety is the spice of life.

Which is why I have multiple TOTL dynamics as well. And Utopia remains my overall preference. Was simply a comment that the pads improved the Phi, not that the Phi beats all.

@Torq

Since it's a pad-swapping subject; may I ask if you've ever experimented with & found any worthwhile upgrades: w/ aftermarket or custom-made pads (or maybe adopted/modded the "default pads" from other HP's)... for use w/ any of your current/past Sennheiser HP's?

No specific preferences; just interested in improving "long-listenin' & ear-huggin' comfort" w/out injecting major quirks/compromises in FR/SQ dept.

Damn post character limits!
But the reason I'm mostly concerned w/ Comfort & only avoiding MAJOR quirks or issues w/ FR/SQ... is that I'm planning to use Sennheiser HP's in combination w/ the Realiser A16, that we've discussed previously.

So, I'm not too concerned w/ minor FR/Staging issues as the A16 will measure w/ Mics, then auto-EQ & DSP-adjust to given: HP's, Virtual-room, Multichannel speakers & HRTF profiles.

Nope, I'm not really a prolific pad-swapper. I've tried some pad swaps (e.g. Utopia <> Elear), but generally wind up running stock. Haven't pad-swapped my Sennheisers at all. Principal reason I bought the CC pads for the Phi was I needed new pads anyway and they'd just been updated (replacing the old design completely).

Fair enough.
And, Torq, if you don't mind me asking one more thing:

Have you tried, kept and/or enjoyed any type of Sennheiser cans "modding"... perhaps: SDR/SuperBAF/Vader mods for the HD800 or KISS/other mods for the HD650, etc?

Just wondering, cause I'm curious, if you mostly enjoy running your (Sennheiser) HP chains "raw" or if you don't mind adding some EQ (at Source/DAC level) or physical-mods (at HP level).

For the HD800 I wouldn't use them without the SDR mod (and often using Sonarworks at the same time). The HD650 I run stock ... if I want a different sound I have different cans. I'd run them modded if they were my only headphones.

For the LCD-4 I will often use the Reveal (or Roon DSP) plug-ins for them.

And for mixing work I'll run Sonarworks with almost every headphone I use there.

Thank you for sharing your ongoing advice & preferences, Torq; it makes sense, I appreciate it!

BTW, did you mean "Sonarworks Ref4" suite, for both uses (home-listening/EQ-ing & work); and not just the cheaper-priced SW "True-Fi" desktop app?

One day I'll figure out how to properly setup & run: AtomicBob's "IVS Settings/Parameters" Guide. I think I'll need to get several programs: JRiver, SW Ref4, Waves NX, EQuick.

Responded via PM ... too long for these posts.