I like these - they are more comfortable than the original pads (the fenestrated sheepskin feels better) and, with a little work, they sound better. The problem is the holes are too small so there is too much reflected sound in the midrange. I reamed them out with a 1.6mm drill bit and that did the trick. Now vocals sound fuller and more realistic - without the sporadic missing frequencies of the stock pads. Bass is well controlled and in balance.
Mine did not come with the removal tool either - I used a plastic paddle from a single serve ice cream container and that worked perfectly.