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.
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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!