No matter what pair of ear pads you decide to use with the PM-1, the sound signature will remain very similar overall. However, there are still a number of differences in sound quality that each ear pad type brings to the table.

Frequency response measurements of each ear pad type are available at headphone review websites such as Inner Fidelity, and we have also provided brief descriptions of the type of sound you can expect to hear with each ear pad type below.

Original Lambskin Leather Ear Pads

These ear pads ship with the PM-1 and feature a very smooth, non-fatiguing, and intimate sound with seductive midrange that works well with any type of music. The sound signature is a bit warm overall.

Structurally, there is a felt ring in the circular rear opening of the ear pad, and both the inner and outer walls of the ear pads are perforated.

Velour Ear Pads

These ear pads ship with the PM-1 and have a slight increase in both sub-bass and treble response versus the original lambskin leather ear pads and are still very close and intimate sounding with the same excellent midrange. The sound signature is a bit warmer than the original lambskin leather ear pads, and they can be described as providing a "tube-like" sound. They are also incredibly comfortable.

Structurally, there is a felt ring in the circular rear opening of the ear pad.

Alternative Lambskin Leather Ear Pads

These ear pads ship with the PM-1 and have more linear bass and treble response versus the original lambskin leather and velour ear pads while maintaining very similar midrange performance. Bass extension is slightly greater than either of the other two ear pads, though bass impact is slightly lessened compared to the velour ear pads. These ear pads can also be considered a bit more open sounding than the other two ear pads.

Structurally, there is not a felt ring in the circular rear opening of the ear pad, and there is a segment of the inner ear pad wall that is not perforated.

Synthetic Leather Ear Pads

These ear pads ship with the PM-2 and are sonically equivalent to the alternative lambskin leather ear pads, though they are made of synthetic leather.

Structurally, there is not a felt ring in the circular rear opening of the ear pad, and there is a segment of the inner ear pad wall that is not perforated.