Getting rid of a "sweaty" smell?

You can pick up replacement pads or order new pads that work with the xb500, people do this all the time. A quick search should reveal some options.

Worst case scenario I guess you could go about hand washing them? Although I've never done this.

Edit: Tried to search myself, didn't find any replacement pads at all.

Do you like coffee? You could store them in a cupboard with a small handful of coffee powder--if it's freshly ground, even better.

The coffee will both absorb some of the smell, and impart some of its heavenly fragrance smell.

You might also try charcoal, methinks. Natural smell absorber.

Alternatively, if it's possible to remove the earpads, try sunning them--not too long though, because that might damage the pleather.

Even if you replace the pads the sweat smell will still remain. It's soaked in past the pads into the cups and into any material. I'd suggest putting it in a bag or box with baking soda. Also gently wash the pads out with a little bit of hand soap to add in a nice smell.

I've had to deal with headphones from smoke. That's the best way to deal with it.

Call Sony and ask if they can help you replace the pads. Don't be surprised if they charge you an exorbitant fee for it, though.

Are the pads pleather? If so id reccomend using rubbing alcohol, the same to the entire body of the frame, but use it gently, vigorous scrubbing can easily take off paint. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl34 

Yea I think their pleather,worth a try I guess. I did try to find replacements but I never found a source and no coffee makes me sick :(

I put them in a ziplock container with a box of Baking soda last night but after around 15 hours the smell was unchanged

It's going to take a lot longer than 15 hours. I think mine took at least a week. Good luck to you!

I clean pleather pads with soap and warm water. If that doesn't work, put them under the sun for a few hours as they dry and the smell should go away.

Soap and warm water, baking soda, or febreeze that thing!  I got a couple of headphones and they reaked of smoke it was horrible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl34 

Holy crap, if you don't mind me asking what did you put yours in? 

I put the pads in a giant ziploc bag after gently washing them with soapy water. Then I put the actual cans in a box for at least a week.

Call Sony. If the pads are removable, they should have replacements. Nothing was listed on the Sony site that I could find - but that doesn't mean they don't have them.