These still impress me. After using technically superior headphones like the dt1990 for a while and then going back to these and the sound is still very good is a testament to how good of a value these are. Definitely like them way more with the zmf pads.
They actually sound very similar to the dt1990 w/ a pads. There’s a tad bit more bass, slightly more forward in the upper mids but makes it a bit more shouty which I don’t like personally. Treble quantity is about same but the shps more out in front presentation makes stuff like cymbals more noticeable. It never sounded grainy. Music with heavy bass never get distorted. The dt1990 in fact can distort if you really push the drivers hard. Run the Jewels- Call Ticketron is what I play to test this. This song will really push the drivers limits. The shps never distort with this track. The dt1990 do distort but only at near ear bleeding levels of volume so it’s not really a big deal.
This was my first good headphone that stuck with me for so long which could be effecting my perception of them. But it’s made me sell a lot of headphones in the past because I much prefer these. I do love my dt1990 but not for close to $500 more. The Shps with the zmf uni perf suedes are something special.