Which materials are practically immortal for headphone pads and headphone headbands?

[Deleted member 58865]

I read that micro suede headphone pads can reduce bass, compared to the original ATH-M40x pads. Is that true?

 

[MCH]

One may ask, is anything immortal?

Yes, teflon

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[Deleted member 58865]

What would be the best durable replacement pads for ATH-M40x? I don't want the sound to get worse, compared to the stock pads.

 

[somebodyelse]

Yes, teflon

Only below 250C

 

[henologist]

I swapped the pads on my old M50s to microsuede and enjoyed it, though the microsuede had a tendency to stain any semi-porous substance it touched (clothes, laminate, rubber, etc.), possibly due to cheap dye. Keep them on a stand if you're gonna go that route. I didn't do any A/B testing at the time, so I can't tell you how it affected the sound. It was certainly more comfortable for extended use.

 

[stalepie2]

What would be the best durable replacement pads for ATH-M40x? I don't want the sound to get worse, compared to the stock pads.

Try looking at Dekoni. I had pretty good experience with one of their cheaper replacements for MDR-V6... the "Midnight" series from their budget "Earpadz" line... but like all headphone pads it always feels like you're paying 400% more than you should, even when it's the budget stuff. Check their B-Stock page for sale prices.

Another company is Yaxi. The ones for 7506 and 900ST might work for Audio-Technica 40x/50x.
Those two and Brainwavz seem to be some of top brands for replacement pads. The Hong Kong seller on eBay Wang Yi-fei has some interesting things too. I ordered some pads for Koss Portapro once from him but switched to Yaxi later.

 

[Deleted member 58865]

I found Brainwavz prostock series which is specifically designed for ATH-M series. I'm going to buy either prostock micro-suede or prostock sheep skin leather.

Edit: After researching a while, prostock sheepskin has fake leather for sides and sheepskin for only the front face which touches the head. I will wait for micro-suede version to be in stock again. Fake leather will start flaking in a year or two.

 

[markanini]

As far as headbands go, get a headband cover, it increases comfort too: https://www.amazon.com/-/en/dp/B094Y67C21

 

[Deleted member 58865]

Try looking at Dekoni. I had pretty good experience with one of their cheaper replacements for MDR-V6... the "Midnight" series from their budget "Earpadz" line... but like all headphone pads it always feels like you're paying 400% more than you should, even when it's the budget stuff. Check their B-Stock page for sale prices.

Another company is Yaxi. The ones for 7506 and 900ST might work for Audio-Technica 40x/50x.
Those two and Brainwavz seem to be some of top brands for replacement pads. The Hong Kong seller on eBay Wang Yi-fei has some interesting things too. I ordered some pads for Koss Portapro once from him but switched to Yaxi later.

Dekoni is good if I want genuine leather pads, but their pads are expensive. For hifiman he400se, I would rather buy stock valour pads which are substantially cheaper.

Yaxi is good if I want shure. Brainwavz for ATH-M series pads.

I may buy fake leather stock pads, but I dread flakes from fake leather. I cannot go back to fake leather again. Flakes make me furious.

Acceptable materials for stock pads or third-party pads designed to mimick stock sound signature

• Genuine leather
• Genuine suede
• Micro-suede
• Valour
• Linen
• Alcantara cloth

 

[Bugg100]

I found Brainwavz prostock series which is specifically designed for ATH-M series. I'm going to buy either prostock micro-suede or prostock sheep skin leather.

Edit: After researching a while, prostock sheepskin has fake leather for sides and sheepskin for only the front face which touches the head. I will wait for micro-suede version to be in stock again. Fake leather will start flaking in a year or two.

Look at the Dekoni Elite series. No pleather, even the side are sheepskin. Quite like the pads on AKG K553mkii.