[Dazhead]

I love the sound of my 325s but cannot bear the pain of wearing them. My ears are on fire after 5 mins and in pain after 10. I've seen a few people have used the 414 yellow pads which are cheap on amazon but amazon (uk version) also states that they don't fit these headphones.

Please help, the last thing I want to do is sell them but I find I'm listening to lesser headphones for the comfort.

Thanks

 

[jpierson]

How long have you owned them for? I originally found my 225's uncomfortable in a similar way and then they either seem to break in or you get used to it. I don't have any issues anymore.

 

[Dazhead]

I've had them about 3 months now but still haven't been able to get past the 15 minute mark. My ears just get so unbearably hot!

 

[Wolfskie]

have you owned grado phones before?
i've heard that if you wash the pads with conditioner it softens them and makes it more a comfortable expeience, but i don't know about making your ears hot.. maybe they press too hard against them? (but then.. grado?)
have you tried, perhaps, stretching the headband a bit so that they make less contact with your ears?

 

[Dazhead]

These are my first grados. Washing the pads with fabric conditioner??? Sounds a bit risky. Lol..

 

[davidgotsa]

Don't worry, it won't damage them or anything. They will just become a bit softer. 

 

[Carl6868]

Make sure you remove them from the headphones before washing

 
Quote:

These are my first grados. Washing the pads with fabric conditioner??? Sounds a bit risky. Lol..

 

 

[Dazhead]

Thanks. Was close there. Lol. Will grab some fabric conditioner later and give it a go.

Do thev414 pads actually fit 325s?

 

[Dazhead]

Right.... Got some gabric conditioner. What's the plan now. Just dilute it in water and soak it? Simple as that?

 

[Kerry56]

Wash them, rinse and let dry.  Never helped with my Grado pads very much.
 
The Sennheiser 414 pads do fit.  I preferred them in a reverse quarter mod, but that is an irreversible modification to the pads.  They are cheap enough to get a couple of sets though. 
 
If heat is the issue, you might want to look up the sock mod for Grado's.  It won't permanently hurt your current pads.

 

[Mad Max]

You could also bend the headband for softer grip if you want.  Do it carefully.  The headphone may fall off of your head more easily as a result, however.
My bowl pads have become too soft for me after three years of frequent use, lol.
Time for new ones.  =\

 

[Bee inthe Attic]

I had the same problem with my 225i's... a little burning on my outer ears (helix) after 5 minutes, and then pain after 15-20 minutes. I stopped wearing them and researched all the solutions.
 
The 414 (reversed quarter mod) helped with the discomfort (no more pain at all), at an affordable cost. But I still didn't like the overall feel of these pads.
I eventually ended up buying a used pair of Headphile C-pads from the for sale forum, which are Beyerdynamic over-ear velour pads fitted onto the Grado's.
http://www.headphile.com/page5.html >>C-pads are at the bottom of the page.
They are very expensive, but I got an older version of them used at a decent price.
 
They do change the sound a bit, but I never cared to A-B them to the stock or 414 pads. My philosophy is that if I enjoy the sound, I am going to stick with it (without analyzing the crap out of how they should sound, or what they add/lack). Coupled with the addition of the Beyer DT770 headband and bending the headband according to the Headphile website suggestions, they fit extremely well; amazing comfort, great sound... overall I like these allot and I now use my Grado's without hesitation.

 

[Dazhead]

Well I've washed then and I'm gonna leave them overnight to dry. If that doesn't work I'll just risk the 414 pads. Thanks for your help.

 

[marts30]

I love my MS2i with comfy pads, I could wear them all day.
 
-bend headband so no pressure on ears
-comfy pads
-black manta headband
 
After the first few days (before the mods) my opinion was 'why does something that sounds this good have to be so damn uncomfy', haha.

 

[Dazhead]

Ok. So the conditioner didn't work. Made them a touch softer but no more comfortable and my ears are still overheating. Going to try the 414 pads and in they don't work think I may just have to sell them.