# Sennheiser HD6X0 Series Pad Round-Up: The Ultimate Guide to Sound and Comfort

If you own a pair of headphones from the legendary Sennheiser HD6X0 series—be it the HD600, HD650, HD660S, or even the classic HD580—you’re part of an exclusive club. These headphones are renowned for their natural, detailed sound and have been an audiophile benchmark for decades. But there’s a crucial component that often gets overlooked until it’s too late: the earpads.

The pads on your HD6X0s are not just for comfort; they are a critical part of the acoustic design. Over time, the stock velour pads compress, get dirty, and lose their shape. This isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it directly impacts the sound, often leading to reduced bass, a hazier midrange, and a general loss of clarity. That phenomenon many call the “Sennheiser veil”? It’s often just the sound of worn-out pads.

Replacing them is a necessity, but it also opens up a world of sonic tweaking known as “pad rolling.” Let’s dive into the most popular options to help you restore or reshape the sound of your beloved Sennheisers.

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### The Benchmark: Stock Sennheiser Pads

Before we explore the alternatives, we must understand the baseline.

* **Material:** High-quality velour over foam.
* **Sound Profile:** This is the sound the Sennheiser engineers intended. On a fresh pair, the HD600 is neutral and detailed, the HD650 is warmer and smoother, and the HD660S is a bit more forward and modern. Stock pads provide a perfect seal-to-breathability ratio, which is key to their open, airy presentation.
* **Verdict:** If you love the original sound of your headphones and simply want to restore them to their former glory, buying a new set of official Sennheiser replacement pads is the only guaranteed way to do it. They might be pricier than third-party options, but they are the gold standard for a reason.

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### The Aftermarket King: Dekoni Audio

Dekoni has built a reputation as the premier brand for aftermarket earpads, offering a wide range of materials specifically designed for the HD6X0 chassis. Each material offers a distinct change to the sound signature.

#### 1. Dekoni Elite Velour
Think of these as a premium alternative to the stock pads. They are slightly deeper and use a denser memory foam.
* **Comfort:** Excellent, very similar to stock but with a more plush, memory-foam feel.
* **Sound Profile:** The closest you can get to the stock sound in the aftermarket world. Most users report a very subtle increase in bass presence and a slightly wider soundstage due to the pads being deeper. The changes are minor, making this a safe and high-quality upgrade.

#### 2. Dekoni Elite Hybrid
This is often the go-to for those who want a change without straying too far from the original. These pads feature a velour face (where the pad touches your skin), a solid pleather exterior, and a fenestrated (perforated) pleather interior.
* **Comfort:** Top-tier. You get the breathability of velour with the isolation of pleather.
* **Sound Profile:** A “best of both worlds” approach. The hybrid design tightens up the bass response and adds a bit of low-end slam, thanks to the better seal from the pleather sides. The velour top and fenestrated interior keep the midrange natural and prevent the treble from becoming harsh. It’s a popular mod for a reason, adding a touch of fun and impact.

#### 3. Dekoni Elite Sheepskin (Solid & Fenestrated)
For those looking for a more significant change, leather is the answer. Dekoni uses high-quality sheepskin for a luxurious feel.
* **Comfort:** Very soft and supple, but can get warmer than velour during long listening sessions.
* **Solid Sheepskin Sound:** This provides the best seal, resulting in a significant boost in sub-bass and mid-bass. It transforms the HD6X0 into a warmer, bassier headphone with better isolation from outside noise. However, this seal can sometimes add a bit of resonance or “cup reverb” and may slightly recess the midrange that the series is famous for.
* **Fenestrated Sheepskin Sound:** The perforations are designed to counteract the drawbacks of a full leather pad. They allow some air to pass through, which tames the bass boost slightly and brings back some of the air and detail in the treble. The result is a sound that’s still punchy and impactful but less closed-in than the solid sheepskin.

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### The Contender: YAXI

A popular brand out of Japan, YAXI offers its own take on HD6X0 pads that has garnered a loyal following.

* **YAXI for HD650 (Urethane Leather & Alcantara):** YAXI’s pads are known for their exceptional comfort and unique design. They are slightly angled and use a combination of protein leather and Alcantara.
* **Comfort:** Many claim these are among the most comfortable pads available, period.
* **Sound Profile:** The YAXI pads tend to add a bit of warmth and body to the low-end while smoothing out the upper-mids and treble. They can make the soundstage feel a little deeper. This is a great choice for those who find the stock sound a bit too analytical or bright and want to lean into a more relaxed, musical presentation.

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### The Budget Option: Generic “AliExpress” Pads

You can find countless unbranded earpads on sites like eBay and AliExpress for a fraction of the cost of the options above. They come in velour, leather, and hybrid styles.

* **The Good:** They are incredibly cheap. If your stock pads have disintegrated and you’re on a tight budget, they are better than nothing.
* **The Bad:** The quality is a complete gamble. The foam density, fabric quality, and dimensions are inconsistent.
* **Sound Profile:** Utterly unpredictable. A cheap velour pad might sound surprisingly decent, while a cheap leather pad could completely destroy the headphone’s tuning, making it sound boomy and muffled. Buying these is a roll of the dice. Use them as a last resort or for pure experimentation.

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### How to Change Your HD6X0 Pads

Thankfully, Sennheiser made this process incredibly easy.
1. Grasp the earpad firmly with your fingers.
2. Pull it straight off. You’ll hear a series of clicks as the plastic retaining ring disengages from the headphone cup.
3. To install the new pad, simply line up the retaining ring on the back of the new pad with the headphone cup.
4. Press down firmly around the edges until you hear it click securely into place all the way around. That’s it!

### Conclusion: Which Pads Are Right For You?

* **For the Purist:** Stick with **Official Sennheiser Stock Pads**. There is no substitute for the original intended sound.
* **For a Safe, Comfortable Upgrade:** Go with **Dekoni Elite Velour**. It’s a subtle refinement of the stock experience.
* **For a More “Fun” and Balanced Sound:** The **Dekoni Elite Hybrid** is the most popular all-arounder, adding bass impact without sacrificing too much of the headphone’s core character.
* **For Bassheads:** **Dekoni Elite Sheepskin** will give you the low-end slam and isolation you’re looking for.
* **For a Warmer, Smoother Vibe:** **YAXI Pads** offer a unique, comfortable, and relaxed listening experience.
* **For the Gambler on a Budget:** **Generic Pads** can get the job done, but don’t expect them to compete with the real deal.

Pad rolling is a personal journey. What works for one person might not work for another, but by understanding what each material brings to the table, you can make an informed choice to breathe new life into one of the best headphone series ever made.