The BE2 Suede pads are where I settled in. They have been my favorite for a while. I want to order a pair of the stock Caldera pads and try them. I have heard a lot of good with the stock Caldera pads with the Atriums.
With the pad rolling, I wonder how much the preference depends on the Amp and DAC you are using with it? Those influences I would think may lean you towards one pair of pads or another. 
Probably makes a small difference. Thereās also personal HRTF, sensitivity to 2k in particular, music preferences.
I also noticed clamp force can play a pretty major factor as well. I originally had the clamp a bit loose, but eventually decided to follow Zachās video to refit the headband to my head, then tighten the clamp force as much as possible, then loosen a bit until it was reasonably comfortable. Having it too loose ends up tilting everything under 3-4k downwards (pretty significantly) and cause 2k to stand out more. At leeast from what Iāve tested on the EARS rig.
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I took my time trying the different padsā¦I would listen to each set for a few weeks to become accustom with themā¦I would start listening with my tube amp (Woo Audio WA6). I would leave the same tubes in and not change them outā¦I would then move on to my solid state ampā¦I was using my Asgard 3 and the Modius was my dacā¦I have since bought a MJ3 and BF 2/64. I used a battery of songs that I know inside and outā¦Ill be honest I think they only sounded better when I upgraded to the MJ3 and BF 2/64.
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Good thing I have a Mjolnir 3 and BF 2/64 as well. 
I will give that method a try while pad rolling.
Edit: in case you are wondering, my AO is on my head when I took that picture. 
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You even got a Schiit wallpaper, lol.
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That is a pic of a Yggdrasil to stand in for my Yggdrasil MIB upgrade coming January 2025. 
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I also have a Soloist 3XP, and a 2nd Gjallarhorn currently not connected. I am going to use those two as well as my Vali 3 and Bifrost 2/64 in a 2nd setup. I will be getting a Valhalla 3 along with the Yggdrasil MIB to replace the Tube amp and DAC on my desk setup.
I saw that a while backā¦I just really havenāt had time to post just due to life the last few monthsā¦You have to admit they sound damn good with that set up.
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It is cool man, I had a several month period where I was not posting either due to an injury (earlier this year). It really is a good pairing, but I have been eyeing the Yggdrasil for quite some time, and decided to go for the upgrade in the new year.
Edit: The hype behind the Valhalla 3 also caught my interest as well. lol
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Yggiād are niceā¦I will be honest I didnāt plan on buying the MJ3 at firstā¦I was one of the people who ordered the Violectric off of Drop that never shippedā¦While I was waiting I kept reading more and more good about the MJ3ā¦I finally got beyond pissed off with the situation with Drop and cancelled my orderā¦What really pissed me off was the e-mails from Dropā¦It was like the left hand didnāt know what the right hand was doingā¦Once I cancelled my order with them, I was going to purchase a MJ3 brand newā¦Then one came up for sale on Head-Fi. The gentleman I bought it off of was awesomeā¦He answered all of my questions, and even showed me all of his invoices on itā¦We discussed a price and I pulled the trigger on itā¦It definitely was an awesome purchase and I had zero buyers remorse. It is definitely my end game ss ampā¦I do want to get a pair of planarsā¦I do have a few pairs in mind but I am rebuilding the warchest right nowā¦lolā¦We had to get a new furnace in the winter and our daughter got married in Mayā¦Let me tell you weddings arenāt cheapā¦
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Congrats on your daughterās wedding, and my condolences to your wallet.
Edit: that sucks about the Drop issues, but at least you happened upon a great deal on a MJ3.
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Here are some measurements of the Caldera Stock and Caldera Thick. Thick is the slightly better option here IMO, a bit better comfort, a bit less bass emphasis (still bass emphasized). Similar bass levels to the Brainwav without being as overall v-shaped.
Celdera pads (stock, thick, and ultra perf)
Celdera stock and thick vs Uni Sheep
Celdera stock and thick vs uni hybrid (my preferred) and Aut hybrid
ā¦and vs the brainwav XL
Vs BE2
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Finally started pad rolling, just switched to the Uni suede perf pads. So far so good when powering the AO with my MJ3, but I have to try them with the Vali 3. A little bass dip, but nothing crazy. I tried these pads on one of my Planars and the bass and slam took a nose dive.
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Which pads did you start with?
Uni lambskin perforated. I was enjoying them, but some genres of music sounded a little over inflated in the bass region. My opinion may change when I switch to the Yggdrasil MIB from the BF 2/64 as the MIB is supposed to be more balanced in presentation (vs the BF). I still havenāt tried them with the Vali 3 yet, but I will find out how it sounds later today.
I also have the Caldera perforated lambskin pads to try as well, but I will spend some time with these first. Next year I will buy a few more pads to try out as well.
It will also be interesting to find out which pad sounds best with the Valhalla 3 when it comes out later this year (according to Jasonās response to my post). With all the amps, DACs, pads, tubes, and cable combinations I will have in 2025 it will be fun mixing and matching to get the most out of the AO. One such setup will be:
BF 2/64>Vali 3>Soloist 3xp (power amp mode)
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I have read that a lot of people really like the Caldera pads on them. I want to get a pair and try them.
My personal favorite have been the BE2 perforatedā¦They add just enough to the low end and sub bass without muddying it upā¦They also smooth out the top end a tadā¦I have been using them now for going on a year or so.
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The Caldera Ultra Perf definitely reduce the bass the mostā¦ conversely the regular Caldera pads give a pretty massive bass boost, I think due to the inner wall being solid (none-perf on the inside) on those ones. Adjusting the clamp force also makes a measurable difference in the bass response and is a good way to fine-tune it to your preferences. 
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I will keep the BE2 perforated in mind when I order more pads.
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Good to know, the Caldera pads I have might fair better when I get the Yggdrasil MIB. By the way, the Uni suede perf pads pair well with the Vali 3 more so than the MJ3. Not bad on the MJ3 either, but the Vali 3 is a better fit for the sound signature.
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