Topic: ATH-M50 Headphone Pads

[stevetoney]

I've owned a pair for maybe 2 years max and the ear pads are already rotted.  The naugahide vinyl surface has become very cracked (like shattered glass) and is flaking.  The headphones now are very uncomfortable and annoying to wear.  I'm really surprised and disappointed this happened so quickly on these phones, which I kinda still consider to be like new.  I'm seeing them recommended alot based on sound, but because of this experience, I can't recommend them.   

Anyway, two questions... 

Have other owners also experienced this?

Any recommended fixes or workarounds?

[ashevillain]

I've owned a pair for maybe 2 years max and the ear pads are already rotted.  The naugahide vinyl surface has become very cracked (like shattered glass) and is flaking.  The headphones now are very uncomfortable and annoying to wear.  I'm really surprised and disappointed this happened so quickly on these phones, which I kinda still consider to be like new.  I'm seeing them recommended alot based on sound, but because of this experience, I can't recommend them.   

Anyway, two questions... 

Have other owners also experienced this?

Any recommended fixes or workarounds?

I've been using mine on almost a daily basis for the past 3-4 years and they still look brand new.

Sorry, I'm of no help!

[stevetoney]

^ It's a help to know that you haven't had the same experience. 

[flipp]

Have you contacted AT?

Based on my experience in getting replacement elastics for some 8410s I would expect they would take care of you by either sending free replacements or selling them at a greatly reduced cost considering the age of the phones.

[stevetoney]

^  I should do that. 

I looked and it looked to me like the pads can't be replaced, but sitting here typing at my computer at work, that doesn't make much sense.  They probably snap in or something.

[fmaderjr]

I've owned a pair for maybe 2 years max and the ear pads are already rotted.  The naugahide vinyl surface has become very cracked (like shattered glass) and is flaking.  The headphones now are very uncomfortable and annoying to wear.  I'm really surprised and disappointed this happened so quickly on these phones, which I kinda still consider to be like new.  I'm seeing them recommended alot based on sound, but because of this experience, I can't recommend them.   

Anyway, two questions... 

Have other owners also experienced this?

Any recommended fixes or workarounds?

http://www.headphone.com/accessories/audio-technica-m50-cushion.php

[jlykos]

I've had these for a few years and it's the headband pad that is disintegrating on me.  The covering is flaking off and is leaving exposed foam underneath.  The earpads are fine, if a bit hard.  I'm surprised as well that the headband is completely falling apart after just a few years and considering how well I take care of them.

[stevetoney]

http://www.headphone.com/accessories/audio-technica-m50-cushion.php

Saweet, thanks 1M!

[stevetoney]

I've had these for a few years and it's the headband pad that is disintegrating on me.  The covering is flaking off and is leaving exposed foam underneath.  The earpads are fine, if a bit hard.  I'm surprised as well that the headband is completely falling apart after just a few years and considering how well I take care of them.

Strange...my headband is fine, but it sounds like the same material was used in both cases.

[fmaderjr]

http://www.headphone.com/accessories/audio-technica-m50-cushion.php

Saweet, thanks 1M!

No problem. I'm sure you noticed that you only get 1 pad for $9.99 + shipping, so you need to order 2. I didn't notice it until  now.

[fotoralf.be]

I've had mine for a little over a year and the headband started looking like a leather couch that had been dumped in the woods a long time ago. Called AT here in Germany and their prices for replacement heandbands and ear cushions were so low that I ordered five of each. Took them about three months and a total of three shipments to mail them but I've got them eventually. They seem to have a central spares store somewhere in the UK since all parcels came from there.

Fitting the new headband is a little tricky since one has to remove and unsolder the entire right capsule although they're seeing little use lately since I got myself a beyerdynamic Headzone Pro which came with a DT 880 Pro. Now, that's altogether in a class of its own.

Still, really fine headphones.

Ralf

[stevetoney]

...and the headband started looking like a leather couch that had been dumped in the woods a long time ago.

Exactly...that is a good description.   

[ashevillain]

Upon a second (closer) look it does appear that my ear pads are breaking down slightly, right around where the temple pieces of my glasses rub against them.

[stevetoney]

Upon a second (closer) look it does appear that my ear pads are breaking down slightly, right around where the temple pieces of my glasses rub against them.

Just for clarity in this thread, the degradation to my ear pads is significant and pronounced.  It all happened really quickly too.  It's like they were fine and then within a few months the material turned brittle, cracked, and flaking on 100% of the surface area of both ear pads. 

I'm not saying this to be a prima donna in this thead about what happened to my phones, but just for adequate description of what happened to me in case anyone else reads this thread down the road.  I'll be ordering replacement pads from the site in the link previously provided.  I'll report back about my experience on ease of replacement, comfort, etc.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Thanks for the heads up on your experience, folks, and please keep us updated.  Wondering if it could be that certain batches of the material are wonky and why the degradation is affecting some but not all user's headphones?  For the record, I've had my set of ATH-M50's for nearly 3 years, use them several times a week for long sessions, don't take particularly good care of them, and they're still in great shape.  And now the earpads will fall apart on me in the next month.