Quick ATH question

[aKrippler]

I was lookin at the ath-ad700's and I like them alot, but I would really like a pair of closed headphones. The ath-a700 is (I am guessing) the same thing as the ad-700 but they are closed air. The only downside is that the cans are pleather instead of cloth.

The last 3 pairs ive had have all been cloth and I cannot bring myself to spend money on a pair of pleather cans. the 900's are pleather as well, why are the higher quality cans pleather instead of cloth? Am I the only one that thinks the cloth>pleather?

Does anyone replace the pads on their own headphones?

So the deal is I want a pair of closed air cloth cans. Any suggestions? <$150 plz 90% gaming 10% random lectures and music. No amp or real soundcard atm, but I will be getting into that soon.

Thanks in advance

 

[Sycraft]

Because cloth won't do a good job of creating a seal around your ears. One of the points of sealed cans is to keep external noise out. That means not only closing the back, but creating a good seal around the ear. Cloth doesn't do that.

 

[Tyrant222]

shure srh840

coiled cable though, and leather pads. but wont find closed without it.

also problem with closed headphones is soundstage, which will not be ideal for gaming.

 

[aKrippler]

I see, so if I want cloth pads my only choice is open air sets. Thanks alot for the responses guys. I will probabley end up just picking up the ad700's theres no way in hell I am going back to leather pads after using cloth pads for 2+ years.

 

[obobski]

one thing I'd point out is that it isn't always pleather, sometimes its a different synthetic, the material Denon uses (for example) isn't bad, the vinyl junk that Sony uses on cheap headphones is horrible

I will agree that cloth is better, and generally not as good for a seal, although in a decently quiet room, open headphones aren't a bad deal IME, although don't take this to mean they block noise out (the noise of my computer isn't an issue, but my dogs will easily be heard regardless)

 

[ashmedai]

Sony MDR-V6 (Amazon)
Beyer DT250 velour earpads (Sweetwater)

Beautiful on a nice amp, but not particularly finicky about source. A "monitor" headphone which is very neutral. It is also very comfortable after replacing the pads without significantly sacrificing isolation. Durability / build quality is near-legendary (it should last decades if you don't abuse it).