replacement pads for Sony MDR-7506

B

Bruce Watson

Veteran
Time to replace the flaking ear pads on my 7506s. A couple of pads get high marks, like the Beyerdynamic pads, and the Auray Delux Velour pads. But I can't get enough information to pick one over the other.

Will one of these pads give me better isolation? Will either screw up the headphone's frequency response? Or improve it? Is one more "sweatproof" than the other?
 
I bought the Pearstone replacement pads from B&H a few years ago, and they've held up very, very well.

I wouldn't worry about impact on frequency response, unless the material that covers the transducer is made of some freakishly-thick substance. As for isolation, I didn't notice any change (for better or worse) with the Pearstones.
 
I have used both the Beyerdynamic and the Pearstone pads. They are similar and interchangable, but the Beyerdynamic has slightly better "build quality". And both are significant improvements on the OEM Sony pads. They are more comfortable and more rugged as well. And I have found that the velour surface works better in windy conditions (cuts down on the wind noise between the pad and your head).

If you are worried about the effect on frequency response, it is easy enough to remove the fabric in the middle. But I didn't notice any significant effect.
 
Those Garfield pads DO cover the sound path. I would wonder about HF attenuation.
I also wouldn't want to just cover over the crumbling Sony OEM pads.
That would trap all the shedding junk INSIDE for maximum possible contamination of the driver.
 
The Garfield Softies is an additional cover, not replacements for missing OEMs.
I use the Garfield Softies and did not notice any frequency issues.
Warm in the winter, cool in the summer. Recommended.
 
I've been using 7506's for as long as I can remember and regarding the freq response it's amazing how these things
lose all their low end within a year or two.

It's happened on every pair I own. I just accept that I have to buy new every 2 years tops.
Just a couple days ago I was using someone elses kit and their 7506's were so thin sounding and lacking bottom end
it was actually a hindrance because I knew I wasn't hearing everything being laid down.

I'm surprised that I rarely hear anyone else mention this.
I'm pretty sure I'm not delusional and I'm talking at least a dozen sets... every single one of them.
 
Here's another vote for the Beyerdynamic pads. They are so much better than the originals that it's like having a new set. - Tim
 
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Thought I'd report in on what I found.

I replaced the flaking Sony earpads with the Beyerdynamics pads. They fit even if it's somewhat of a struggle. They're a little more dense than the Sony pads. Seems to take a touch off the bottom end for music, which doesn't make any sense to me, but that's what I'm hearing. The density makes them a little less comfortable especially for a glasses wearer, but this isn't a deal breaker. OTOH, they seem to make a better seal, and the resulting improved isolation is very nice to have. And the biggie, they don't make me sweat like the Sony pads did. Oh, and they don't flake, so my wife doesn't keep picking black plastic flakes off my face, which irritated us both!

So... mostly good things happen with these pads. Just sayin'...
 
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B&H also sells their own Pearstone brand of replacement covers as well as the Sony OEM replacements.
I like and use the Garfield Softie Headphone Earpad Covers. "Headphone Softie is a set of soft headphone earpad covers, made of a velour-like rayon chenille fabric that are smooth, warm in the winter, cool in the summer and protect the original pads as well."

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Most of the location sound 'usual suspect' dealers carry the Garfield Softie, Beyerdynamic pads and other replacement covers as well.
 
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