### Sennheiser HD 6X0 Series Pad Round-Up: A Guide to Your Next Upgrade

The Sennheiser HD 6X0 line—encompassing the legendary HD 600, HD 650, HD 660S, and their Drop counterparts like the HD 6XX and HD 58X—is the bedrock of the audiophile world. For decades, these headphones have been the benchmark for natural midrange and scalable performance. One of the best, and most necessary, parts of owning them is dealing with the earpads.

Stock pads wear out. They flatten, the foam loses its memory, and the sound you fell in love with changes. The driver gets closer to your ear, the bass loses its tight punch, and the upper-mids can become harsh. But this isn’t a problem; it’s an opportunity. Welcome to the world of “pad rolling,” the easiest and most effective way to tune your beloved Sennheisers.

Here’s a round-up of the most popular earpad options and what you can expect from each.

#### The Benchmark: Stock Sennheiser Velour Pads

Before you dive into the aftermarket, you must understand the baseline. A fresh, brand-new pair of genuine Sennheiser pads is often the biggest upgrade you can give to a well-used pair of headphones.

* **Sound:** This is the sound the Sennheiser engineers intended. It’s balanced, with that world-class midrange, a smooth treble, and a tight, if not deeply extended, bass response. They are the definition of the “Sennheiser sound.”
* **Comfort:** The soft velour is breathable and comfortable for long listening sessions. No complaints here.
* **Takeaway:** If your pads are flat and you want to restore your headphones to their former glory, buying a new set of OEM pads is a guaranteed win. Consider this your control group for all other experiments.

#### The Aftermarket Titan: Dekoni Audio

Dekoni has built its brand on providing high-quality replacement pads for nearly every popular headphone, and their options for the HD 6X0 series are extensive.

* **Elite Velour:** This is Dekoni’s answer to the stock pad. They are very similar in sound and feel to the original, offering a reliable and high-quality replacement if you want to stick close to the intended tuning.
* **Choice Suede:** Incredibly soft and comfortable, these pads often provide a subtle warmth to the sound. They tend to add a touch of bass body without muddying the midrange, making them a favorite for those seeking a slightly richer, more comfortable experience than stock.
* **Choice Leather / Protein Leather:** If you want more bass, this is where you start. The non-porous leather material creates a better seal, which significantly boosts low-end quantity and impact. The trade-off is that it can sometimes make the soundstage feel a little more closed-in and can slightly recess the mids that the headphones are so famous for.
* **Fenestrated Sheepskin:** This is often considered the “best of both worlds” and is arguably Dekoni’s most popular pad for this series. The perforations (fenestrations) allow some sound to breathe, preventing the stage from closing in too much, while the sheepskin material still provides a significant and satisfying bass boost. It adds fun and impact without sacrificing too much of the headphone’s open-back nature.
* **Elite Hybrid:** Combining velour on the face for comfort, solid pleather on the outside for isolation, and fenestrated pleather on the inside, this is Dekoni’s attempt at a complex tuning solution. The results are often a mix of the other pads’ characteristics—a bump in bass, clear mids, and controlled treble.

#### The Comfort Specialist: YAXI

YAXI pads, hailing from Japan, are often praised for their exceptional comfort and subtle, thoughtful tuning. Their HD650 replacement pads are a common choice.

* **Sound:** YAXI pads often aim to enhance the stock signature rather than completely change it. Listeners report a slight increase in soundstage and a gentle lift in the low end, while retaining the core character of the headphone. They are often slightly thicker than stock, which can contribute to these changes.
* **Comfort:** This is YAXI’s main selling point. Using premium materials and slightly larger ear openings, they are a fantastic option for long-term wear.

#### The Boutique Choice: ZMF Pads

ZMF makes high-end headphones, but their pads are available separately and have a cult following. While not always a direct fit, many users adapt them for their Sennheisers.

* **Sound:** ZMF pads are known for their premium materials (lambskin, suede) and their ability to add a sense of space and richness. They can increase the soundstage and add a pleasant warmth and body to the sound. This is a choice for the enthusiast looking to push their headphones in a specific, more boutique direction.
* **Comfort:** Top-tier. The materials and construction are a clear step up in luxury feel.

#### The Budget Mod: Brainwavz

Brainwavz offers a huge variety of affordable pads. They don’t make a direct-fit pad for the HD 6X0 series, so you’ll need a special adapter ring (easily 3D-printed or bought online).

* **Sound:** Using Brainwavz pads is a significant modification. Their pads are typically larger and deeper than stock, which dramatically increases the distance between your ear and the driver. This usually results in a much larger perceived soundstage and a big boost in bass. However, it often comes at the cost of the intimate midrange detail that makes the HD 6X0 series special.
* **Comfort:** Generally very good due to the large size and plush materials.

### Final Thoughts: Which Pad is for You?

There is no single “best” pad; it’s all about preference.

* **For the Purist:** Stick with a fresh pair of **Stock Sennheiser** pads.
* **For a Safe, Comfortable Upgrade:** Try **Dekoni Choice Suede** or **YAXI** pads.
* **For More Bass and Impact:** The **Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin** is the fan-favorite, while the solid **Choice Leather** is for true bass-heads.
* **For a Major Sound Overhaul:** Look into **Brainwavz** pads (with an adapter) if you want to experiment with a V-shaped, spacious sound.

Pad rolling is a journey. It’s a fun, reversible, and relatively affordable way to rediscover your favorite headphones and tailor them perfectly to your taste. Happy listening