Sennheiser HD6X0 Series Pad Round-Up.

December 2, 2025

### **Sennheiser HD6X0 Series Pad Round-Up: A Guide to Tweaking a Legend**

The Sennheiser HD6X0 series—comprising the HD600, HD650, HD660S, and their Drop counterparts like the HD6XX and HD58X—is the bedrock of the mid-fi headphone world. For decades, these headphones have been the benchmark for natural, detailed, and non-fatiguing sound. A huge part of that iconic sound, however, comes from a deceptively simple component: the earpads.

Pads aren’t just for comfort; they are a critical part of the acoustic design. They control the seal, the distance of the driver from your ear, and the way sound waves reflect before they reach your eardrum. When your stock pads wear out and compress, the sound changes, often becoming darker and more bloated.

This is where “pad-rolling” comes in. Swapping pads is one of the easiest and most effective ways to modify or restore your headphone’s sound. Let’s dive into the most popular options for the HD6X0 series.

#### **The Benchmark: Stock Sennheiser Velour Pads**

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

* **Feel:** Soft, breathable velour over a moderately firm foam.
* **Sound:** This is the baseline. They provide the classic, balanced HD6X0 signature: a forward and luscious midrange, a smooth and detailed treble, and a tight, if slightly rolled-off, bass response. When brand new, they can sound a bit brighter and more detailed until the foam softens with use.
* **Best For:** Purists. If you bought your headphones for their stock sound, this is the only way to truly maintain it.

#### **The Aftermarket King: Dekoni Audio**

Dekoni is the most recognized name in third-party pads, offering a wide range of materials that each impart a unique sonic flavor.

* **Elite Velour:** This is Dekoni’s answer to the stock pad. It’s very similar in feel and sound to the original, making it an excellent and often more affordable replacement for worn-out OEM pads. Some users report a very slight increase in brightness compared to a broken-in stock pad.
* **Choice Suede:** These pads use a synthetic suede that is incredibly soft and plush. They tend to add a touch of warmth and slightly increase the bass presence without going overboard. They can tame any perceived sharpness in the treble, making for a smoother, more relaxed listen.
* **Fenestrated Sheepskin:** Perforated real sheepskin. The perforations allow the sound to breathe, which often results in an expanded soundstage and a greater sense of “air.” They can slightly reduce the impact of the bass compared to solid pads but are a fantastic choice for those looking to make their HD6X0s sound more open and spacious.
* **Solid Sheepskin / Choice Leather:** These non-perforated leather (or protein leather) pads create the best seal. This dramatically boosts the bass, especially the sub-bass. While this can be fun for some genres, it’s a major departure from the stock sound. This tight seal often comes at the cost of the famous Sennheiser midrange, which can become recessed and muddy. Use these if you want to turn your HD6X0 into a bass-heavy headphone and are willing to sacrifice its natural timbre.
* **Elite Hybrid:** This is Dekoni’s “best of all worlds” attempt. It combines a sheepskin outer ring, a perforated inner wall, and a velour face. The goal is to get the bass boost from the solid outer ring while retaining the air and midrange clarity from the perforated/velour parts. It’s a popular compromise for those who want more bass than stock but find solid leather pads to be too much.

#### **The Comfort Specialist: Yaxi Pads**

Yaxi is a Japanese brand beloved for its focus on comfort. Their HD650 pads are a fan favorite for good reason.

* **Feel:** Made with a high-quality Alcantara-like material and slower-rebounding memory foam, they are often considered a direct comfort upgrade over the stock pads. They also have a slightly larger ear opening.
* **Sound:** Yaxi pads are known for being a “stock-plus” modification. They subtly enhance the sound without drastically changing the core signature. Most users report a slight lift in the sub-bass and a wider soundstage, making the headphone sound a little more modern and spacious while preserving the beautiful midrange.

#### **The Boutique Option: ZMF Pads**

ZMF Headphones makes high-end artisanal headphones, and they sell their excellent pads separately. While pricier, they offer a premium feel and unique sound profiles.

* **Feel:** Using premium materials like lambskin, suede, and high-quality protein leather, along with custom memory foam, ZMF pads feel luxurious. Popular choices for the HD6X0 series include the ZMF Universe and Ori pads.
* **Sound:** Due to their thickness and materials, ZMF pads generally increase the driver distance, which significantly widens the soundstage. The specific sound change depends on the material (suede will be warmer, perforated will be airier), but they universally give the HD6X0 a grander, more speaker-like presentation. This is a mod for the serious tweaker looking for a high-end sound transformation.

#### **The Budget Tier: Generic Amazon/AliExpress Pads**

You’ll find countless cheap velour and protein leather pads on sites like Amazon and AliExpress.

* **Feel:** Highly variable. Some are surprisingly decent, while others use cheap foam and itchy material.
* **Sound:** This is a complete gamble. The foam density, dimensions, and material quality are inconsistent. A cheap protein leather pad will likely boost the bass in a messy, uncontrolled way. A cheap velour pad might sound nothing like the original. They can be a last-resort option if your pads have disintegrated, but don’t expect them to preserve or thoughtfully enhance the sound of your headphones.

#### **Summary Table**

Sennheiser HD6X0 Series Pad Round-Up.

Sennheiser HD6X0 Series Pad Round-Up.

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