Has anyone that has owned several pairs noticed some sound better than others?

I think I’ve owned at least 5 or so pairs of 580s in 10 years, and I love these phones especially the comfort factor when the pads and headband are broken in. I've owned a few 650s, and could never really warm up to them.

I have an HD600 and HD580 now. The HD600 have brand new pads. The 580 have super worn down pads, to the point that there is maybe 1-2 mm of actual padding once they are compressed against your face. The 580s have a more pleasing midrange but give up a wee bit of the bass snap the 600s do. Treble is similar-ish on both.

I thought this could be a pads issue, but swapping pads on the two phones, they still retain their respective tonal qualities. With the new pads and the phones sitting further away from the ears there is a slight increase in soundstage front to back and the sound being further back.

Next up the pantyhose mod. When I did listening tests on a different pair of 580s I could not tell much of a difference between the pantyhose and the stock foam inserts. Has anyone tried this mod? I’d be interested in seeing measurements as well, I think this mod originated for the 650s and was later adopted by others to the 580/600.

purrin if you have free time and are willing - I’d mail you down my 580s for measurement. Though I am not so sure how representative they are of other 580s...