I received the proper full-size Grado cushion pads today (made by Geekria, from Amazon) and just finished a couple hours of listening through my test track list.
All I can say is wow. I liked the Yaxiâs, but these ones are just so much more open and airy in comparison that I am now ruined with the Yaxiâs for music (they sound so congested now). That set will still be my go to for YouTube/Netflix/Plex.
The Grado set pairs perfectly with my LG G7+ with the G series (I think the Vâs have it too) impedance matching feature providing a nice power boost. I need to do some testing with my desktop rig to see how it compares.
The sound profile from sub-bass through the high-end extension is awesome to my ears, and I have not used any EQ thus far. I have only found a few tracks that touch the edge of sibilant/crispy, and that is more to do with the mixing/mastering. Another plus is that given the open/airy-ness I am hearing little details in mixes now that I have never heard before, even with my IEMs.
Given what I am hearing now, I am just not in as much of a hurry to try modding them anymore.
Thanks, I might get these but honestly right now even with stock pads I donât find them particularly uncomfortable. Are these sitting on top of the pads you have now or did you remove the stock pads?
I got Yaxi pads on the way, and when my 2pin connector comes in Iâm going to do the detachable cable mod and the pad swap then.
Iâm trying to do the 2 pin mod now. Never soldered before, so Iâm doing it in phases. I dread to think what it would have been like if Iâd gone for MMCX.
I removed the stock pads as Zeos mentioned in the video.
For me it was not about comfort, but sound (although the comfort was greatly increased with both). I found the sound with the Yaxiâs was a big step up from stock, and then going to the Gradoâs was another big step up from the Yaxiâs.
I am contemplating the detachable cable mod as well as I have some IEM cables that I think would sound really good.
Hm so I bought the wrong size cable for the connectors Iâm using. I bought .78mm 2-pin connectors and a cable that is MMCX connector, Iâll need to return it. Also the cable I got has a 4.4mm jack which fits my amp, but now Iâm reading that you shouldnât plug unbalanced headphones into a balanced amp, so Iâll get one that terminates into a standard 3.5mm.
If youâre planning to run one wire to each driver, youâre essentially converting it from single ended to balanced with your mod. The main thing is not shorting the ground by trying to combine the L- and R- signals from the balanced amp into the same pole in a single ended connection to the headphone.
Ah okay, so the mod does have one wire to each driver, so I should be safe in going to 4.4mm. So like a bad thing to do would be like my monoprice retros that have a cable on only one earcup, and terminate in 3.5mm, if I just added a 3.5mm to 4.4mm adapter at the end and plugged it in that would be a no-no?
I donât know if should have posted this here or where it is. It has to do with the KPH30i and the DIY pad swap. Very interesting results by mistake! (Two different sets/sized Grado replacement pads and what a difference between the two).
I am a very tinkering person and also experiment with the G-Cushions Grado Pads, the loss of bass quality and the clarity of the details is clearly noticeable, so that this modding makes no sense regarding the sound in my opinion.
A completely different story is the comfort, which is significantly improved.
I have 2 sets of 30iâs, one set has the Yaxiâs, and the other has only the large Grado cushions (I removed the stock).
The bass with the Grados is definitely different from the Yaxiâs, but to my ears there is no loss in quality.
I have found the opposite with detail clarity. The Grados have actually pulled away a slight veil and increased the detail clarity. It is especially noticeable if I do a direct A/B with the Yaxiâs.
@brad86 thanks for the suggestion to remove the inner foam. Luckily I have 2 sets of 30iâs and 2 sets of Yaxi pads, so I removed the inner foam on my second Yaxi pair and just finished A/Bâing them.
I definitely hear that the veil in the midâs is gone, and this new sound is much closer to the Grado pads (based on memory). I still have to A/B with the Gradoâs.
While I am hearing slightly less forceful bass, I believe that is because the midâs have opened up and I find the sound to be more linear. I think the previous bass impact was âfakeâ in the sense it came from the compromise in the midâs.
While there is less force in the bass, I find that it is much more natural sounding. I am not saying they are bass light now. There is still plenty of bass and sub-bass when the track calls for it, but now it sounds much more true to the track, rather than it being there because of deficiencies in other frequency regions.
I am really happy with this new Yaxi set minus the inner foam. Next step is to take the original Yaxi set (minus the Yaxiâs) and put the Grado pads on them for an A/B session. After that, I may remove the inner foam and try different tuning tricks with the Grado pads.
I have removed the Yaxi pads and inner foam from my original set to be comparable to the new Yaxi set and A/Bâd with the Grado pads.
While I enjoyed the difference in the new Yaxi setup, the Grado setup has a bit more overall bass (while still sounding natural), along with a wider soundstage and better separation. I find there is slightly better detail as well.
Given the extra points, these will be my primaries, while the Yaxi set will be my spares.
@TimpTim44 sorry, I never thought to take a picture.
There is a thinner piece of foam on the inside of the cup on the back side of the driver blocking the slotted vents where the headband connects.
To get at it you remove the ear pad, carefully pry at least two clips and detach/angle the driver assembly from the cup, and you can then see and reach the inner foam to pull it out.
@CO_Canuck Thanks. Iâll try that. I have Yaxis on (several) 75âs and did a dime sized cutout on Yaxi pad for Portas. Not gonna mess with my Sundaras tho,
