Underneath that techflex type sleeving itās the same type of rubber sheathing theyāve used in their previous e and is versions, however underneath the larger Y split the cables are impregnated with some plastic unlike previous generations. It makes it almost impossible to separate the cables for other projects/cables.
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So I was looking around for any KPH30i earpad mods on the web, and I came across this blog post by headphonesty:
Somewhere in the KPH30i section, they mention the G-Pad mod (KPH30i Ultras), but they also whip out an aftermarket G-Pad that can use Leather, Merino Wool, or A hybrid of both:
(They also sell headband mods)
https://www.beautifulaudio.biz/grado-earpads-headbands
The author for the Headphonesty blog post also provides some graphs that compare the stock KPH30i, G-Pads, and the Wool pads.
Apologies if this was already posted before. However, I thought I had to share, because this could be a possible comfort panacea to Grado headphones. I will also repost this entire post in the KPH30i thread to spread the gospel.
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Any body tried those leather pads from the picture above?
I have the leather pads on the SR325e and RS2e. They are a lot more comfortable and in terms of sound they increase the stage as there is more distance between the driver and your ear and also increase the treble slightly.
I recommend them over the stock Grado pads in those models but whether or not you see them as a worthwhile upgrade will depend on if you want to spend that much and your existing opinion of the Grado pads.
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How did you get the mmcx in there? What connector did you get? Looks great BTW.
Here is the reddit post Iāve made: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/n6xpmd/grado_hemp_detachable_cable_mod_mmcx_with_no_wood/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
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Sweet TY sir 
Anyone else get this cheap plastic knockof leather headband with theirs.
Researching these I only seen lether but mine came with this.
Are in the UK? I remember someone on head-fi got the same kind of headband due to some sort of āveganā regulation or marketing push in the UK.
Thatās the headband that comes with the lower prestige series like the SR80e and those.
Thank you, just got kind of worried that a amazon seller would have ript me of. Kind of stupid IMO.
Donāt feel stupid. They used pictures of the nicer leather headband and barley mentioned the difference according to what I read. I love Grado, but they literally donāt have a marketing budget and it shows sometimes.
I donāt really care, the only part thatās gonna be left is the cups. Replacing everything else eventually I think
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Hey,
I finished my Hemps this weekend 
Installed the complete shipibo kit (headband, short aluminium set, pads) and removed the stock cable for some 3.5mm sockets.
They where great out of the box but with a nice flexible cable itĀ“s on another level.
I really love them
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Cool! Mine is still at Grado for repair or replacement. Itās been almost two monthsā¦kind of crazy actually but I guess theyāre really busy?
Anyway, Iām really excited to get them back. Weirdly enough, I even had a dream last night about them, modding their headband to have leather or something lol
Your mod looks interesting. Maybe Iāll try it 
Welcome to the hifi guides forum! How do you like the Shipibo pads compared to stock? Iāve been considering trying something like those or beautiful audio pads but Iām worried that Iāll spend the money and end up not liking how they sound.
did you do the cable mod your self? Where did you buy the 3.5 sockets?
I really like them.
The comfort of the stock pads is ok but these are way more comfortable.
Soundwise I didnĀ“t compared them back to back but I donĀ“t feel like something is way off.
shipibo describe them as
They were designed with the aim to reproduce original Grado L-cush sound as closely as possible, but they still donāt sound identical. Compared to L-cush, shipibo.audio Earpads have a slight bump in the lows ā between 1 and 2 dB from around 80 Hz to around 250 Hz, and a noticeable dip in the mids ā between 3 and 4 dB from around 2 kHz to around 3.5 kHz. These changes can be heard, but they donāt take away the famous Grado sound signature away from the headphones. They also push the driver away from the ear slightly offering plenty of air and separation.
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yeah, I did the cable mod by myself.
I followed along this video Grado Hemp detachable cable mod.
For the sockets I used these kind of 3.5mm stereo sockets.
To fit them you have to grind the holes in the cups from Ć5mm to Ć6mm.
Did you pull the driver out like in the video?