How to wash your HD 650 Velour Pads

[atomiccow]

For those who were wondering on how to wash HD 650 velour pads, you'll be interested in this post.

Well my HD 650 pads were getting oily, mashed down, and generally dirty so I decided it was time to clean them. Reading on around Head-Fi the only answers I found were wiping them with damp cloth, etc. That didn't seem enough. They looked durable enough, so I just gave them a bath in normal clothes detergent and water. Scrubbed them up a bit with my hands. Squished any excess water out. Threw them in the machine dryer with my laundry for an hour. The result: I found that using "cottons" setting to dry them resulted in a bit of harshness in the upper treble while the "perm and press" setting resulted in a more open sound stage, overall better imaging with an improved airiness.... hahaha just joking.

Basically it worked fine. Nothing was wrong with the pads when I took them out with my laundry. They're nice, fluffy, clean, and fresh smelling now. Didn't shrink. So basically I'm just telling you guys its perfectly ok to wash and machine dry your HD 650 pads

. I probably wouldn't machine wash them though since they'd probably be loose and flying around in your washer's drum creating all sorts of racket. lol.

 

[Feather225]

Thanks lol!! but I think I need to get a new one now...does any know where to buy the cheapest replacement cushion?

 

[lutwey]

that change in sound depending on the setting of your dryer was a real head scratcher....lol

 

[Foe-hammer]

yep... i did the exact same thing with my dt880 pads. Worked great. Laundry detergent + warm water + hand wash.

 

[whaleyboy]

Is there a simple way to remove the covers?

What I mean is that it seems to require fairly significant force to remove the pad cover and I am too chicken to use brute force. I would rather have dirty covers than broken headphones

 

[iriverdude]

Put the headphones into 2000 rpm 45 minute 90 degree wash cycle? That'll clean the pads

 

[peacefrog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomiccow /img/forum/go_quote.gif Basically it worked fine. Nothing was wrong with the pads when I took them out with my laundry. They're nice, fluffy, clean, and fresh smelling now. Didn't shrink. So basically I'm just telling you guys its perfectly ok to wash and machine dry your HD 650 pads . I probably wouldn't machine wash them though since they'd probably be loose and flying around in your washer's drum creating all sorts of racket. lol.

Fabric softener and those little dryer sheets work wonders!

 

[Gradofan2]

But... doesn't washing them "break them down" and make them "too soft?"

It appears to me... the inherent design of the Senns includes the stock "firm" pads, which hold the driver / elements away from your ears / head. "Breaking them down," making them too soft, and compacting them to fit closer to your ears / head, may distort their sound from their "stock sound." I would think - It may reduce the soundstage, and have other effects, which some may not like.

So... is that possible? Do you really have to buy new pads to restore the "stock sound?" No matter how much they cost.

 

[astrea]

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/was...ser650-254354/

 

[pzm9pzm9]

Wow, So the pads are detachable? I never knew they were!
Are they glued or simple velcros?

 

[iriverdude]

maybe after washing apply starch?

 

[bergman2]

If I told you once I told you a million times, Alice, don't starch my underwear!
--Ralph Kramden

 

[Nocturnal310]

For Weekly cleaning i made a video on youtube...it is mainly to remove any settled dust. :YouTube - Cleaning Headphone Earpads under 1 minute

 

[LostOne.TR]

The pads snap in to fit.

The pads are attached to a plastic ring/oval. The plastic ring has protrusions which snap to fit into the ear cup's grooves. I believe the protrusions are in the top left+right, and bottom left+right - 4 total. (could be wrong, and it might just be a top, bottom, left center, right center. do not currently own a pair, but I have a vague recollection of it being in the corners). So be sure to give those areas a good push when putting the pads back on. Should hear a snap/clicking sound.

Make sure you do not put too much pressure on the grilles, when putting the pads back on. Try to hold it by the frame and not the grilles, because the grilles will get indented should too much pressure be forced on them.

 

[Joelby]

Thanks for posting. Knowledge is power!