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To replace or not to replace HD-650 earpads?

post #1 of 19
3/8/06 at 4:30am
Thread Starter 
I've had my 650's for about a year and the ear cushions are noticeably flattened, meaning that the headphone driver is being pushed closer to my ear, and there is less of an acoustic space around the ear inside the cusion. So the question is, are the pads meant to 'wear in', or are we meant to replace them once they get squished down? Has anyone found any sound differences between firmer pads and squishy ones?

Not exactly life threatening, but I'm still curious...
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post #2 of 19
3/25/06 at 12:49am
I'm interested in any thoughts Head-Fi might have on this matter as well.
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post #3 of 19
3/25/06 at 2:59am
Thread Starter 
I did it anyway, and I think the pads are designed to be firm, keeping the driver slightly further away from the ear, slightly cleaning up the sound to my ears...
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post #4 of 19
3/25/06 at 5:00am
How do you replace the earpads? Do you use pull them off? Or do you need to use a screwdriver or some sort of wedge them off the headphone?
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post #5 of 19
3/25/06 at 5:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bLue_oNioN
How do you replace the earpads? Do you use pull them off? Or do you need to use a screwdriver or some sort of wedge them off the headphone?
Nah, they just pull off and the new ones click right in. You'll be reducing the comfort if you're someone who doesn't find them to be comfortable headphone out of the box though - replacing nice soft squisy pads with firmer ones.
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post #6 of 19
3/25/06 at 6:42am
As long as they are not ripped, and are still in decent condition, I would still use them, but since you said that you have been using them for a year now, then I would replace them with new ones, a very painless procedure!!
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post #7 of 19
3/25/06 at 7:08am
I've been wondering if anyone has ever washed their Senn earpads and how do you do it?
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post #8 of 19
3/25/06 at 7:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zorander
I've been wondering if anyone has ever washed their Senn earpads and how do you do it?
That's easy. Soak it for a while in warm water with washing agent while squeezing it several times, then rinse it and thoroughly squeeze the water out. It takes less than half a day for drying.
.
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post #9 of 19
3/25/06 at 8:22am
Where did you buy the earpad ? Mine is getting a bit old too.
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post #10 of 19
3/25/06 at 9:25am
Earpads should not need replacing after only a year - it's normal for them to compress over time. The ones on my HD590 are 5 years old, have been used a lot and are still going strong, though they no longer look as pretty, so I'd considered replacing them but then discarded the idea as these cans don't get much use anyway these days.
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post #11 of 19
3/25/06 at 9:31am
I wash mine in Peach nut oil soap from C.O. Bigelow available at Bath & Body works. Very mild, works great and smells awesome even after they are dry.
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post #12 of 19
3/25/06 at 11:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaZZ
That's easy. Soak it for a while in warm water with washing agent while squeezing it several times, then rinse it and thoroughly squeeze the water out. It takes less than half a day for drying.
.
I bet they regained some of their volume/size back.
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post #13 of 19
3/25/06 at 12:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaZZ
That's easy. Soak it for a while in warm water with washing agent while squeezing it several times, then rinse it and thoroughly squeeze the water out. It takes less than half a day for drying.
.
Thanks for the tip JaZZ. They are cleaned and now drying.

I've washed Grado bowls but was afraid to try cleaning the Senn pads, fearing the sponge would lose some of its stiffness and be more prone to weakening and "collapsing".
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post #14 of 19
3/25/06 at 1:26pm
I used to replace mine every year or so, just to have fresh springy foam and you get rid of any critters that might be living in them (Head-Fi meets ya know )

I just looked at the Sennheiser store for them and price for a new set is up to $40!!!!!!!!!
They used to be about $25.
Think I'll try washing them.
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post #15 of 19
3/25/06 at 1:57pm
Washing them works very well. It they are not too worn-out, washing maybe better than buying new pads because it takes some time for the pads to soften and adapt to the head.
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