### The Ultimate Sennheiser HD 6X0 Pad Rolling Guide: A Round-Up of the Best Earpads

The Sennheiser HD 6X0 series—comprising the legendary HD 600, the smooth HD 650, the modern HD 660S, and the accessible HD 6XX—is a cornerstone of the audiophile world. For decades, these headphones have been the benchmark for natural, detailed, and non-fatiguing sound. A huge part of their magic, and their longevity, lies in their earpads.

But pads don’t last forever. The stock velour compresses over time, bringing your ears closer to the driver, reducing clamp, and altering the sound signature. This leads to two common scenarios for owners: restoring the original sound with fresh pads or diving into the world of “pad rolling” to intentionally tune the sound.

Changing the earpads on an HD 6X0 headphone is one of the most impactful and simple mods you can perform. The pad is a critical component of the headphone’s acoustic system, affecting everything from seal and comfort to frequency response and soundstage. Here’s a round-up of the most popular options to help you find your perfect match.

#### The Benchmark: Stock Sennheiser Pads

Before we explore the alternatives, we have to understand the baseline. The original Sennheiser velour pads are the sound the engineers intended.

* **Material & Build:** High-quality, breathable velour over a specific density of foam. They are oval-shaped and known for their initial firmness that softens with use.
* **Comfort:** Excellent. They are lightweight, breathe well, and are comfortable for hours on end. The only downside is that the velour can be a magnet for dust and hair.
* **Sound Impact:** This is the reference sound. Known for its world-class midrange, smooth treble, and a balanced, if slightly rolled-off, bass response. When your old pads are worn and flattened, a fresh pair of stock pads will often restore bass impact, tighten up the imaging, and bring back the clarity you thought you’d lost.

**Best For:** Purists who want the original, intended sound of their headphones.

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### The Aftermarket Contenders

#### 1. Dekoni Audio Pads

Dekoni is the undisputed king of the aftermarket pad scene, offering a wide variety of materials for the HD 6X0 series, each with a distinct sonic flavor.

##### Dekoni Elite Velour
Think of this as “Stock Plus.” It’s Dekoni’s take on the original, aiming to be a high-quality replacement.
* **Sound Impact:** Very close to the stock sound, but many users report a slightly tighter seal. This can result in a minor bass lift and a more isolated feel. They are often seen as a great way to refresh the stock sound without straying too far.
* **Best For:** Someone who needs new pads but wants to maintain the core character of their headphones.

##### Dekoni Choice Suede
These pads offer a more luxurious feel than velour and have a noticeable effect on the sound.
* **Sound Impact:** The suede material provides a better seal than velour, which results in a warmer overall tone. Expect a noticeable lift in the mid-bass, giving the sound more body and warmth. The treble is often slightly smoother, making them great for taming any perceived harshness.
* **Best For:** Listeners who want to add a touch of warmth and low-end authority to their HD 6X0 without sacrificing comfort.

##### Dekoni Elite Sheepskin (Solid)
This is where the sound signature starts to change dramatically. Swapping from a breathable fabric to a non-perforated leather creates a closed-off acoustic chamber.
* **Sound Impact:** Bass. Lots of it. The perfect seal from the memory foam and sheepskin significantly boosts the low-end frequencies, especially the sub-bass. The HD 650/6XX, in particular, can become a basshead’s delight. The trade-off can be a more closed-in soundstage and sometimes a bit of reflection in the upper mids or treble.
* **Best For:** Bass lovers and those who want maximum sound isolation.

##### Dekoni Elite Fenestrated Sheepskin
This is Dekoni’s attempt to find a middle ground between the airiness of velour and the bass impact of solid sheepskin.
* **Sound Impact:** The perforations (fenestrations) allow some air to pass through, preventing the sound from feeling “trapped.” You still get a healthy bass boost over stock, but it’s tighter and less boomy than with the solid sheepskin. The perforations also help retain a more open soundstage and a clearer top end.
* **Best For:** The tweaker who wants enhanced bass without completely sacrificing the open-back nature of the headphones.

#### 2. YaxiPads HD650 Special Edition

YaxiPads are a beloved brand from Japan, known for prioritizing comfort and subtle, pleasant sound tuning.
* **Material & Build:** Made from premium Alcantara on the surfaces that touch your skin, with protein leather on the sides. They are often deeper and plusher than stock pads.
* **Sound Impact:** YaxiPads are known for increasing comfort and slightly warming up the sound. They tend to add a bit of a low-end boost and can gently relax the treble, making for an incredibly smooth and fatigue-free listening experience. The added depth can also slightly increase the perceived soundstage.
* **Best For:** Those who prioritize long-session comfort and a relaxed, warm, and spacious sound signature.

#### 3. ZMF Universe Pads (Perforated Suede)

ZMF is known for its boutique, high-end headphones, but their pads are a popular choice for modding other brands.
* **Material & Build:** These are the luxury option. Impeccably made with high-quality materials, the ZMF pads are often angled and thicker than others, which significantly increases the distance between your ear and the driver.
* **Sound Impact:** The effect is transformative. The increased internal volume dramatically expands the soundstage, making the notoriously intimate HD 6X0 sound much wider and more speaker-like. The perforated suede material helps to keep the sound from becoming too bass-heavy, preserving detail while adding a sense of space and air that is simply not present with stock pads.
* **Best For:** The serious enthusiast willing to spend a premium to fundamentally change their headphones and chase the ultimate soundstage.

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### Quick Comparison Chart

| Pad Type | Key Sound Change | Comfort Level | Best For |
| :— | :— | :— | :— |
| **Sennheiser Stock** | The intended, balanced reference sound. | Excellent | Purists, restoring original sound. |
| **Dekoni Velour** | Very similar to stock, slight bass lift. | Excellent | A quality “stock-like” replacement. |
| **Dekoni Suede** | Warmer, smoother, more mid-bass. | Excellent | Adding body and warmth. |
| **Dekoni Sheepskin** | Significant bass and sub-bass boost. | Very Good | Bassheads, sound isolation. |
| **Dekoni Fen. Sheepskin**| Controlled bass boost, airy treble. | Very Good | “Best of both worlds” tuning. |
| **YaxiPads HD650** | Warm, relaxed, slightly wider stage. | Supreme | Maximum long-term comfort. |
| **ZMF Universe Perf.** | Dramatically expanded soundstage. | Supreme | Soundstage enthusiasts. |

### Final Thoughts

The journey of pad rolling is a personal one. There is no single “best” pad—only the best pad for *you*. If your pads are worn out and you love the sound you first fell in love with, buy a fresh pair of genuine Sennheiser pads. If you crave more bass, the Dekoni Sheepskin is your answer. If you dream of a wider, more expansive sound, the ZMF pads are waiting.

Experimentation is the heart of the headphone hobby, and with the Sennheiser HD 6X0 series, a simple pad swap is your ticket to a whole new world of sound.