Back in 2000, while on a business trip to Singapore, I picked up a pair of Sony MDR-NC5 noise canceling headphones. I loved them so much that I bought a second pair a year later. Now it’s 9 years later and the ear pads are disintegrating, leaving black powder everywhere when I listen to music. Time to replace the cushions. Simple, right? Wrong. Sony’s web site doesn’t even list them any longer, and when they did, they were charging $15.00 each – for a stupid piece of foam rubber. After several exhaustive Google searches, I came up with nothing (except for many other people looking for the same ear cushions). No one is selling OEM replacements.
On a whim I decided to check out generic replacements. At first I didn’t think this would work, as the original ear cushions are not a standard shape. They’re ovals, 2 1/2″ x 2 3/4″. Hell, foam stretches, right? So 2 1/2″ circular replacement covers should work if I stretch them across the headphone speaker. I ordered EP-5 2 1/2″ replacement ear cushions from headsetpartsunlimited.com, and they worked perfectly! Success. Only $0.96 each!
If you have a pair of MDR-NC5 or MDR-NC6 headphones and are looking for replacement ear cushions, the search is over.
Thank you!
Wow, funny, I’ve had mine about the same amount of time and the exact same thing is happening. Thanks for doing the legwork in finding these! Hopefully they’ll work as well for me.
I feel like I found the holy grail of all posts!!! Just like you said after being tired of leaving a trail of black dust, I began looking for ear cushion replacements, only to find that SONY rather you buy a new pair of fancy headphones.
I love my Made in Japan MDR-NC5 and I wont give them up till they fall apart. This is why I just bought a 3 pair of cushion replacements for the next 30 years or so. Thank you so much for posting. May the Online Karma be with you.
Thanks for posting this. Your a life (ear) saver.
That was very helpful. Thanks so much.
Thanks from downunder!!! I also bought mine in Singapore and find Sony AUS hopeless to deal with.
just purchased 4 of these for the same reasons. how about the inner foam circular piece that is glued on to the ear piece? On mine that foam is crumbling too. Do you have a suggestion on what to use for this problem?
Thanks,
Nick
Hi Nick. No idea. I’m just ignoring that problem.
Thanks, great job.
Thanks so much, I would have bought more than one set but they would probably all die at the same rate!
Thank you! Just got those earpads and they work great! I bought extras and will keep them sealed in a dark place so I have spares.
You da man! Thanks.
EXCELLENT!!! Thank you so much for saving me from endless black pieces of foam all over the place. My wife is also grateful!!!
Thanks so much to you for posting this, and Google for sending me here! I so much appreciate when people post their solutions online, just just their problems.
I have been searching for awhile as well, and came to the same conclusion. I actually have TWO of these headsets, but the pair I use at work is crumbling to pieces.
I’m so happy I don’t have to buy a new set! I really prefer these for my MDR-NC5.
I also bought a few extras. I just hope these new pads last as long as the originals.
Many thanks for this! My MDR-NC5′s travel with me every day in my rucksack and make train journeys much more bearable, but like others, I’ve found the ear pads starting to disintegrate. I’ve just ordered 6 replacement ear cushions for delivery to the UK, and happily airmail shipping is still $4.95.
Thanks for sharing this! I didn’t think I was going to find a replacement ear pads since my headsets were so old! I thought I was going to need to buy a new pair all together since it just didnt feel right without the ear pads! First google result page too!
What a great find! I too would be interested in a solution to the deteriorating foam beneath the ear pads. But in the meantime, I’m delighted to have found a source for new ear pads.
Sweet! I looked last year for replacments but could not find anything fom Sony or anywhere. My puppy chewed one ear and made some holes last year which I had to tape to keep together. Well its cold weather time so I broke out the big headphones and decided to try another search and awesome this is totally amazing. Thank you for your article.
Awesome, I love my headphones and was so disappointed that sony doesnt make the replacement pads. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you. You saved my day!
Great info. Just ordered replacement cushions for my MDR-NC5. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent idea! I ordered them and they work brilliantly………
Thanks for sharing this. Much appreciated!
Was getting ready to start making my own! Thanks for the doing the tedious task of locating this. Much appreciated.
Thank’s for the tip. I have 2 sets of headphones and my pads started to disintegrating all of a suddon also. SONY wants $8.99 per pad (not per pair) + shipping. Not only is that outragous but they only had 3 available (not 4).
Thanks still a helpful post.
Oh, you hero! I’ve been looking for them for ages.
Great..Great…Great!!! Finally found a solution.
Almost the same story… bought mine on a business trip to Singapore in 1988, eight years later the pads started to disintegrate (…hey, what’s that black stuff on my face?).
Just ordered the replacement pads that you were gracious enough to try for all of us. I love it when old stuff works again!!
I was in need of foam replacement covers for my Sony cordless headset for my TV. I went to the Sony website and could not find the replacements.
I also went to an authorized Sony dealer who had no idea where they sold the replacements.
I went back to the Sony website and emailed them a long letter about how they should train there staff on where to find replacement parts for there merchandise when they do not carry these.
Thank you for all your comments on this and I ordered replacements through Headset replacement and they fit.
I told Sony in my letter to read these comments as all you people are customers who had the same problems.
First, Thank you for posting this! I was just about to click Submit on the Sony website for 2 replacements at $14.95 each + 6.95 shipping (allowed only to the US) for $36.85. Knowing I will have to do it again in a year or so.
Now that I found your post, I have ordered 6 from headsetpartsunlimited.com for $10.71 TOTAL. I’ll just get some foam and make my own inner pads. Thank you again!
best post ever thanks
Awesome, thanks dude.
First hit in Google:
http://www.google.com/search?q=sony+mdr-nc5+replace+foam
Order placed. Thanks for writing this up!
Isn’t the Internet great !!
- thanks for the work Kevin
Replacement cushions (+ spare set) on the way to Australia
Thank you.
Thanks Man! I had the same problem. Bought mine in Malaysia about the same time and they recently seemed to melt off the phones. I did find them at Sony (Part number 497978501). They soaked me $12 bucks so I thought that I was getting a pair. When I recieved the order I found only 1 piece! I complained but you know how that goes. When I tried to re-order they wanted $4 bucks more! Then I found your post… just place an order for the second one… Good Job bud.. thanks again… Ed
Thank you so much for this post… As many others have said, you’ve saved us the online legwork — and a good bit of cash. Placed my order this morning. Like many, we love these headphones and couldn’t fathom losing use of them – but couldn’t stand the black foam all over my kids’ ears! Thanks again!
Thank you for the info. Saved alot of time.
That was a great lead. Wish there were more guys like you on the web. Thanks.
Thanks for the post. Ordering 5 pairs just in case the site goes down or something.
Thanks! I was hesitating to do the same thing, because I wasn’t sure if these would fit on my NC6 headphones.
Thank you so much. I have the exact same headphones and was looking for replacement ear cushions today. I’ve got a trip tomorrow, so I just stripped the pads off a cheap airline pair of headphones, but they don’t look like they’ll last long. The ones you recommend look much thicker. Cheers!
Many thanks. Exactly what I was looking for.
re these, people in England can get the same from Maplins a well known electronic store. Thanks so much for this though. Its what the web is for!
You should get a commission! I too am so grateful that you found this for us. I love my Sony headset but hate the black snow that now is falling from the ear pieces. I’ve ordered two sets. You rock! May you win the lottery – BIG!
Whaoowww, what a useful tip !! I’ve been looking for months for this little stupid piece of foam for my MDR-NC5 … I’m happy !! Thank you from France !!
Wow, Thank you so much. I search for a long time and finally find you. Thanks from Taipei.
Cheers! : )
Can’t tell you how much this is appreciated! Just ordered a couple of pairs of these replacement foam covers, which, even with S&H, is less than 1 single foam cover direct from Sony. I had seen these covers before coming across your post, but wasn’t sure if they would work with the unit. Thanks for sharing the fact that they do.
Thanks so much for this link pal! =) you’ve saved me alot of time on this and I’m ordering 6 pieces!
heheheheheheh………………………….
Let me join the long queue of folk who all of a sudden seem to have disintegrating foam. Do you suppose Sony use a special foam that is programmed to fall apart after 10 years so you buy new headsets! Emmm. Thanks!
Thanks!!
Like everyone else – thanks for the information. The replacement pads worked perfectly. Shipping was on the high side, but overall it was a LOT cheaper than ordering the replacements from Sony ($15/ear).
Just received my order, these replacement foam pads fit perfectly on my MDR-NC-5
Thank you, Kevin : same story. Bought mine at Heathrow several years’ ago. I stopped using them because of the disintegrating foam. I have ordered the replacements : I appreciate your help in finding a replacement supplier.
Mike
And another vote of thanks. Bought my pair of MDR-NC5 headphones on a trip to San Francisco. I didn’t (and don’t) particularly like the sound profile or the hiss that the anti-noise circuitry produces but they’re a blessing on a long flight. Today, despite living 24/7 in their PVC case, the headphone’s foam covers are all a-crumble. I’ve just placed an order and was pleased to find that they shipped internationally to London. Many thanks!
Thank you, Kevin, for doing the legwork! I’ve got the same problem with the NC5′s I got at Heathrow.
Thanks! Just ordered mine. My husband wanted me to get a new set of noise canceling headphone but these still work fine even tho’ they’re 10 years old so this is perfect.
You’re a lifesaver, Kevin! My Sony MDR-NC5s are my treadmill headphones, and, while mine aren’t “powdering”, the foam pads are indeed falling apart and tearing away from the headset. Aside from that, they work perfectly for me as well, and while I have a new pair of Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones, I’m loathe to use them at the gym. They’re about 3 times the price of the Sony NC5s, which, being 10 years old, I don’t feel too bad sweatin’ to the 80′s with, and, as I said, they still work perfectly but for the foam pad issue. I just happily ordered 2 pairs of foam covers, thanks to you, Kevin! I’m grateful that yours is the first post that comes up in a Google search for “headphone pads replacement sony mdr-nc5″, and for your helpful post! Thank you so much! If you ever need anything that’s Futurama-, or Pinky & The Brain-related, you’ve got it!
Hi Maurice. I thought your name looked familiar! You’ve performed in many of my family’s favorite cartoons. I’ll take you up on any Futurama swag if that’s possible!
Thank you so much for the site link. Ordered 5 sets for a work out maniac kid so her head set is comfy and clean.
Thanks so much for the info- I had quit using mine and now they are going to be resurrected!
Amazon has them –
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sony+ear+pads&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4577749375&ref=pd_sl_90ud19sucs_b
Good to know! Thanks for sending the link.
Great post. I was about to throw away my Sony MDR NC5 headset because of the disintegrating ear pads. It simply never occured to me to look for replacement pads. Found them at The Source and the headset is as good as new. By the way, I didn’t realize that the original pads were glued to the headset. I pried the outside edge up with a razor knife and went around the edge lifting as I went.
Thank you,
Bradley
Thanks for the post! Saved my NC6s as Sony was charging 5.95 per piece and only had 1 available and the rest on backorder…
Awesome. You just saved me from having to buy another pair of noise canceling headphones! When my japanese made Sony MDR-NC5 ‘s were still working just fine. Just dug these out of storage and found out the foam was crumbling, great replacement.
Thank you!!!! Just ordered a bunch so I don’t have to look for them again.
Many thanks for the link. Have spent ages looking for replacements in Sydney only to be told I would have to buy another set of headphones…talk about a throw away society!
Good man! Just bought them. Thanks for saving me the time and effort of an exhaustive trawl through the internet. Very attached to my headphones too.
Giles
My NDR-NC6 headphones have been great purchase. I’m sure Sony would rather that I buy a new pair, but these foam pieces will make these like new. Thanks Kevin.
Thanks for the tip! You rock.
You are the man!!!! my ears are killing me!!!! I just ordered them…
They should have more people in this world like you!!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you!
I live in Brisbane Australia. Just seen all these comments, got very excited and decided not to go out and buy replacement headset for my MDR-NC5s which have been sitting in a cupboard for a few years since the ear cushions crumbled … but am finding that I can’t order anything related to audio from overseas now (!!??) … and can’t find anyone in Australia who sells EPs. Any suggestion PLEASE.
I was about to pitch them when the foam was gone,but after reading these posts I gave them a try. Perfect fit and they match the color of the frames better than the originals. I also was suprised at the prices of these(the phones) on e-bay…glad I kept them. Thanks!
Just the information that I needed, except I wanted to see if there are any UK suppliers. The answer is yes there are, if you go to and search for “70mm headphone foam pads” you will see several suppliers offering various quantity options. I bought 8 (4 pairs), and the 70mm diameter (round not oval) foam pads fit snugly over my oval shaped MDR-NC6′s, and are like new again!
Thanks for the post. saved me a nice pair of headphones
Namaste, your solution saved me so much time & effort. Many thanks!
Brilliant! I bought mine Oct 2000 and went to use them last week to find the foam disintegrating. I just about chucked them out when I Googled Sony MDR-NC5 replacement pads and found your site. The foam pads arrived yesterday and I’m wearing them today–perfect fit! Thanks for doing the leg work and saving my favourite headphones. Just need to find the Goo-Gone to remove this black tar I have over my fingers and nails. ‘gards.
Thank you so much for sharing the information. I ordered five replacements pads today.
Thank you so much,
big thanks thought id have to buy a new pair – well done sir -and they ship to london!