rlisin
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Perfect! I was planning to try something like that once my pads get worn out, great to know that it is so easy. What's the minimum sleeve width on the replacement earpad?
Philips A5-PRO "Armin Van Buuren Collaboration" (Owners and impressions)
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Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
Not sure, it's the only measurement I didn't take. I have a backup replacement pad set on it's way (for down the road). So once that arrives I'll post an update with the measurement.
yeah! just got my A5 Pro demo unit from a local store. This is my first ever headphone and I love every bit of it although I do not have a sensitive ear to tell the differences among those 1st tiered or 2nd tiered headphones. Most importantly, I bought 1 pair of PCU80 and 1 pair of PCU110 spare ear pads to swap each pair. Burning in now and listening to my beloved Enigma. yeah...
Enjoy your A5 pro Guys!
Enjoy your A5 pro Guys!
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Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
Wow, that's a great deal! If you don't want the PCU110, send me a PM and I'll definitely buy them from you.
Hi slaterlovesspam,
Yes, it's a bargain and I am sorry I didn't buy 2 more sets. Regarding the pcu110, since I am in Hong Kong, China. I'm not sure if you are still interested. BTW, I still can purchase it in a local store but no more synthetic leather one available. Please confirm
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I still have a brand new pair of pcu110 left. If anyone interested, please PM me. Thanks.
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drhiziracil
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OK gang, I have completed the replacement pad How2.
It was even easier than I hoped it would be - total time can be completed in under 10 minutes with absolutely no tools or glue needed. The new pads look, feel, and function exactly like the stock pads, NO 'homeade/diy' look whatsoever, and zero evidence that the pads were ever tampered with. They may as well have come from the factory like this.
Note that this How2 is only for the stock 90mm pads (because those are the only pads I have access to). The same method will work with the optional 80mm on-ear pads (assuming you purchase appropriate aftermarket 80mm pads). However, since I have only ever seen the optional oval upgrade pads in photos, I do not currently have a method to replace those at this time. If you are willing to send me your oval pads as a donor, I will develop a method to replace the oval pads that will benefit us all (PM me if interested).
Anyways, my requirements for replacement pads is that they had to have the same ID and thickness as the stock pads, so there were no unwanted changes in sound. I also wanted pads that had similar construction, quality, and feel as the stock pads. Many of the cheap $3-$5 pads didn't cut it, and I purchased a number of potential candidates that I wasn't happy with until I finally found one that I was perfect.
The replacement pad I recommend is this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/182240334787
I will mention that the pad in the ebay link is slightly different than what the seller actually shipped. First off, the seller listed th thickness at 25mm (this is a typo - the actual pad thickness is 20mm just like the stock pad). The photo above has the correct dimensions. Secondly, the pad in the ebay link has a sewn inside edge (on the back side of the pad), but the pad I received had no sewn edge. This is actually preferable (ie no sewn edge). So if you order this pad from this seller (at least as of 05-2017 when this was published), you'll receive the correct pad.
If at some point in the future the ebay link is dead (or the seller is gone), you'll have to find an alternate pad. Here are the 3 main things to be aware of:
1. Make sure the pad is 90mm OD, 48mm ID, and 20mm thickness
2. Make sure the pad has a rear inner piece that is not sewn. If all you can find are sewn units, plan on carefully unthreading the sewn threads. Don't just hack off the whole threaded pleather portion with scissors - you need every bit of that material. Just pull on the threads until they unravel and fall out.
3. Make sure the pad has a rear inner piece that is made of the same pleather as the rest of the pad (like the above photo). If you've ever seen BrainWavz HM5 pads, it has the same thing. Some (low end) pads have a very thin flexible plastic in the back, which you DO NOT WANT (like this example):
OK, so once you have your replacement pads, let's move onto the actual How2.
Remove OLD pads, Install NEW pads
1. Unlock the STOCK pads from the A5 by holding the pads and gently twisting COUNTER-CLOCKWISE.
2. Gently prey off the thin plastic retaining ring using your fingernail. You can also use a guitar pick, gift/credit card, driver's license, spudger tool, dull butter knife, or a small flathead screwdriver. The ring will pry up and remove like this:
3. Now begin to gently peel up on the inside edge of the STOCK pad. It's glued down with a sticky adhesive. Go SLOW and GENTLY. Even if your stock pads are trashed, the goal is to preserve the adhesive because it is needed for the new pad. If you remove the stock pad properly, all of the sticky adhesive will remain attached to the plastic mounting ring. This is what it will look like when 1st peeling the stock pad off (1st photo) and with the pad fully removed and all of the adhesive still in place (2nd photo):
4. Now you will notice that the inside edge of the pad is still attached to the plastic mounting ring:
Just poke your finger through the inside edge and it will easily separate, like this:
5. Now that you have the STOCK pad totally separated from the mounting ring, take the NEW pad and insert the plastic mounting ring inside, like this:
Note: With the STOCK pad completely removed, notice that the STOCK pad has NO inner fabric. The acoustic fabric & foam is built onto the stock plastic ring. My NEW pad, however, DOES have a thin acoustic fabric. It is up to you if you want to cut this out with scissors. I left mine in because it was extremely thin fabric and will make a minimal impact on the sound. If you feel this is a major issue, just cut out the fabric from the new pad using scissors before performing step 5.
6. Once the plastic trim ring is fully inside of the NEW pad, simply fold over the edges of the stock pad and stick it back onto the adhesive. Go evenly and slowly all the way around the pad to prevent wrinkles, and 'tug' on the pleather to stretch it as needed. I found it best to skip around to ensure everything stayed even, for example attach and work a small section at 12 & 6 o'clock, then move to 3 and 9 o'clock, 10 & 4, 2 & 8, and so on. Also make sure the very EDGE of pad material covers all of the adhesive, but STOPS right at the plastic clips (just like the stock pad). You'll end up with this:
7. Once the edge of the NEW pad is all pushed/smoothed down, reinstall the thin plastic retaining ring you removed in Step 2 (note that there are 4 CLIPS along the bottom edge of the thin plastic retaining ring that fit into 4 matching NOTCHES in the stock plastic mounting ring). I have indicated the CLIPS & NOTCHES below:
8. Repeat steps 2-7 for the 2nd STOCK pad. Once both STOCK pads have been replaced with NEW pads, mount them back onto the A5, twist-locking in a CLOCKWISE motion. Here's the completed product with the NEW pads:
Enjoy your fresh new earpads!
Let me know if you have any questions or need any clarification with anything.
- Slater
Thank you for this great guide! When I plan to cahange my pads I'm definitely using your guide
Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
No problem friend! Let us know how it goes when you do.
updated on my A5 pro. love the sound but too heavy for putting on me head for 10 hours a few days ago. So, I bought the A1 pro at the a bit higher price than my a5-pro (LOL) just because of its light weight.
Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
Sorry the A5 Pro didn't work out for you.
They are a heavy headphone, but for DJ/club use you need something heavy duty that can take a beating without falling apart.
What is the sound like with the A1 Pro vs the A5 Pro?
Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
I still have a brand new pair of pcu110 left. If anyone interested, please PM me. Thanks.
BTW, a huge thanks to @paralou for the PCU110 pads!
These pads are like the Holy Grail, and I'm so glad to have finally found a set after a year of searching. They're very comfortable, and being velour construction they don't get warm on my ears like the stock pleather pads do. I don't really notice any difference in sound, despite most people saying that velour pads generally reduce bass. Also, the internal volume is the same between the stock 93mm and the PCU110, so the soundstage has remained the same too.
If/when they ever wear out, I'll work on a pad replacement How2 for them. From what I can tell, the pads can be changed out exactly like the How2 I did for the stock 93mm round pads. Just have to find a suitable oval pad.
No, I like the sound from A5 pro better but it's a bit heavy if wearing for long time, so i take the a1 pro with me when I go out for longer period.
You know I know nothing about music appreciation and never think about buying a HP over USD100 but I grabbed the A5 pro demo unit because it is sold at less than USD40. After listening to A5 pro, never want to try other pairs because I just love the sound coming out of it. I will rate A1 pro at 75 if 100 for A5 pro.
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carltonh
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Newegg currently has the A1Pro on sale for $24.99, free shipping in the USA. I ordered one to try out because I'm just sort of curious how the low impedance, supposedly easy to drive, yet super high power handling could work. Maybe if the EQ is all set to max subbass below 20 Hz it wouldn't damage your hearing, since you only feel it anyway? haha...hope so. But a Fiio Q1 is the most powerful amp I have, so I won't get but 1/5th the 2500 mW max power.
Hello
Does anyone know how to replace the cushions of a3-pro?
Thanks!
Does anyone know how to replace the cushions of a3-pro?
Thanks!
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