[RenEh]

My stock pads are finally starting to degrade. I have scoured this thread and other places but am yet to find any definitive options for aftermarket pads that don't negatively affect the sound quality. Can anyone point me in the right direction please? I'd be willing to pay for a decent pair if available anywhere. I love these headphones.

Brainwavz sheepskin angled pads sound fine. Much more comfy too.

 

[Dorien]

My stock pads are finally starting to degrade. I have scoured this thread and other places but am yet to find any definitive options for aftermarket pads that don't negatively affect the sound quality. Can anyone point me in the right direction please? I'd be willing to pay for a decent pair if available anywhere. I love these headphones.

If you want the same sound then try to get factory replacement pads from your local NAD dealer:

 

[JW1234]

If you want the same sound then try to get factory replacement pads from your local NAD dealer:

As I mentioned a few messages up, I bit the bullet and ordered replacement pads from NAD's North American distributer and they sent the pads that you pictured. However, those "original" replacement pads actually sounded very different than the pads that came with the phones when I purchased them years ago; the replacement pads had lots of flabby boomy bass and badly rolled off treble. I ended up going back to my clapped out original pads with q-tips inserted inside them to expand their height a bit and make up for the partially collapsed foam. Not great, but at least they are listenable.

 

[Dorien]

As I mentioned a few messages up, I bit the bullet and ordered replacement pads from NAD's North American distributer and they sent the pads that you pictured. However, those "original" replacement pads actually sounded very different than the pads that came with the phones when I purchased them years ago; the replacement pads had lots of flabby boomy bass and badly rolled off treble. I ended up going back to my clapped out original pads with q-tips inserted inside them to expand their height a bit and make up for the partially collapsed foam. Not great, but at least they are listenable.

Interesting.
A buddy of mine ordered these pads. He said that their actual size was a bit different than the original ones, but he did not notice any striking difference in the sound.

 

[HipHopScribe]

As I mentioned a few messages up, I bit the bullet and ordered replacement pads from NAD's North American distributer and they sent the pads that you pictured. However, those "original" replacement pads actually sounded very different than the pads that came with the phones when I purchased them years ago; the replacement pads had lots of flabby boomy bass and badly rolled off treble. I ended up going back to my clapped out original pads with q-tips inserted inside them to expand their height a bit and make up for the partially collapsed foam. Not great, but at least they are listenable.

It's possible that you're so used to the sound of your broken-in pads that the brand new pads sound off in comparison

 

[JW1234]

It's possible that you're so used to the sound of your broken-in pads that the brand new pads sound off in comparison

No, I don't think so. First, the broken-in pads sounded awful, and with the addition of the Q tips they still sound pretty mediocre. It's not like I somehow got used to the sound and came to like it. More significantly, I'm comparing the sound over my NAD phones to the sound of my well-set-up ProAc 1SC speakers, which I love. When the NAD phones were new, the sound was very close to the ProAc speakers (which is the reason I chose the NADs in the first place). A year or two ago, as the pads deteriorated, the phones started sounding very different from the speakers (basically, the bass disappeared from the phones if I remember correctly). When I replaced the broken-down pads with new "original" replacement pads, they still sound very different from the speakers, but now with too much poor-quality bass and rolled off treble. There have been no other changes in my system and my room is unchanged, so I think I'm safe saying that the sound through my speakers is a reliable reference.

 

[tinyman392]

As I mentioned a few messages up, I bit the bullet and ordered replacement pads from NAD's North American distributer and they sent the pads that you pictured. However, those "original" replacement pads actually sounded very different than the pads that came with the phones when I purchased them years ago; the replacement pads had lots of flabby boomy bass and badly rolled off treble. I ended up going back to my clapped out original pads with q-tips inserted inside them to expand their height a bit and make up for the partially collapsed foam. Not great, but at least they are listenable.

As pads break in they physically will end up altering the sound of the headphones. In some cases it'll go from meh/good (new) to good (conformed appropriately to your head) to horrid (no longer can conform to anything, used).

 

[SR1se]

I don't know why this headphone is now underrated.
This is great closed back headphone with flat sound.

 

[RenEh]

I don't know why this headphone is now underrated.
This is great closed back headphone with flat sound.

IMO it’s only let down by it’s technicalities. Even when modded the limitations of the driver, resolution, becomes apparent even if it’s abilities are overall pushed up.

 

[gvl2016]

Anyone tried HP70 pads? The original replacement pads for the HP50 are no longer available from NAD. NAD told me HP70 pads are different in some way. What's the latest on the best aftermarket replacement pads anyway?

 

[mbwilson111]

Anyone tried HP70 pads? The original replacement pads for the HP50 are no longer available from NAD. NAD told me HP70 pads are different in some way. What's the latest on the best aftermarket replacement pads anyway?

I still agree with everything I said in this post a few years ago

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/nad...rom-paul-barton.646735/page-199#post-13806978

A photo is included. Not expensive... the wrinkly Sony v6/v7 pads

 

[gvl2016]

Thanks, I shall order these, the HP70 pads are $50 plus tax, a bit spendy for an unproven solution. I zipped the case on my gently used HP50s right after the Covid started, pads were intact, took them out recently and pads are shedding like crazy. (Unhappy emoji)

 

[mbwilson111]

Thanks, I shall order these, the HP70 pads are $50 plus tax, a bit spendy for an unproven solution. I zipped the case on my gently used HP50s right after the Covid started, pads were intact, took them out recently and pads are shedding like crazy. (Unhappy emoji)

When I took out my old Sennheiser px100 i discovered the foam ear pads had turned to dust and the little headband cushions had turned to sticky goo. They had been stored for probably about 10 years. I finished restoring them just last week and they sound way better than I remembered. I will actually use them with a small dap around the house.

I hope you will enjoy your HP50 again. You have made me want to get mine out. I have way too many headphones.

 

[kehadnb94]

Especially compared to a denon ah d5200? Who’s the winner ?

 

[Dorien]

Especially compared to a denon ah d5200? Who’s the winner ?

Here in Hungary the D5200 is triple priced compared to the HP50. Same applies to the 2nd hand market.
Soundwise I prefer the HP50. It has an outstanding sound quality in its price range and very easy to drive.
The D5200 is more comfortable, nicely built with zebrawood cups. Sound is good, but there is strong competition in its price range. E.g.: Final Sonorous II-III-IV-VI