By SoundMaxPro Staff Share Share The stock pads on the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a strict expiration date. Depending on your daily usage and local humidity, that thin layer of soft-fit leather usually begins to flake or flatten within 18 months. When that structure fails, the acoustic seal breaks, allowing the outside world to leak back in and rendering the noise cancellation ineffective. Note: If you buy something from our links, we might earn a commission. See our affiliate disclosure statement. The US market is flooded with aftermarket options promising deeper cups and cooling gels. But these modifications come with a hidden cost. The XM5 relies on specific internal air volume and clamp pressure to block low-frequency engine rumble. Swap in the wrong pads, and you might gain physical comfort but lose the silence you paid $400 for. We bought, tested, and measured the leading replacements—from Wicked Cushions to Dekoni—to map exactly how they impact heat retention, sound profiles, and the headphones’ delicate proximity sensor. The Top Sony WH-1000XM5 Earpad Replacements | SoundMaxPro SoundMaxPro Updated Jan 2026 Consumer Audio Research The Top Sony WH-1000XM5 Earpad Replacements Stock pads degrade. The market is flooded with options. Here is the data-backed guide to fixing your headphones without ruining the noise cancellation. By Audio Research Team • 15 min read The Core Problem The Sony WH-1000XM5 relies on a specific acoustic seal to function. Changing the pads is not just cosmetic; it changes the physics of the device. Most aftermarket pads increase comfort but reduce noise isolation. Quick verdict: No single pad is perfect. You must choose between Silence, Comfort, or Price. The Recommendation Finder What is your absolute priority? Maximum Silence I fly often / Commute Maximum Comfort I work from home Best Value I’m on a budget Performance Matrix We mapped the leading options based on Noise Isolation (ANC) versus Physical Comfort (Heat/Clamping Force). The goal is to be in the top right, but physics requires compromise. Source: Internal Acoustic Analysis 2026 Thermodynamic Stress Test Heat buildup is the primary reason users replace stock pads. We measured ear-chamber temperature after 60 minutes of continuous wear at 72°F ambient room temperature. Sony Stock (Pleather) +8.5°F Rise Traps heat rapidly. Sweat usually forms within 40 minutes. Cooling Gel (Wicked/CentralSound) +4.2°F Rise Starts cold. Acts as a heat sink for 30 mins, then slowly warms to body temp. Velour / Mesh +2.1°F Rise Highly breathable. Heat dissipates through the porous fabric (at the cost of ANC). The Physics of the Seal The WH-1000XM5 uses a feedback microphone located inside the ear cup. It listens to what you hear and cancels it out. If you use porous materials (like Velour or Mesh), sound leaks into the chamber. The internal microphone detects this leak and attempts to compensate, often resulting in a hiss or significantly reduced low-frequency cancellation. Protein Leather (Pleather): Best Seal / High Heat Hybrid / Gel: Good Seal / Low Heat Velour / Suede: Poor Seal / Best Comfort Reference Standard Sony OEM Parts For the purist, only the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part will do. The foam density and skin porosity are tuned specifically for the microphone array. The Catch: Sourcing them in the US is difficult. Sony uses Encompass for parts distribution. Inventory is often fragmented; you might find the Left pad in stock while the Right pad is backordered. Quick Specs ANC Retention: 100% Material: Soft Fit Leather Price Tier: High ($$$) Availability: Poor Most Popular Wicked Cushions (WC) Wicked Cushions dominates the US market via Amazon. They solve the primary complaint of the XM5, which is the shallow ear cup. Their pads are significantly thicker. The trade-off is sound. The extra thickness moves the driver away from the ear. This creates a “hollow” effect in the vocals. However, they are the most convenient option and include a pre-installed mounting ring. Reviewer Note: Use the “Freeze” version for initial cooling, but understand the gel warms up after about 30 minutes. Check on Amazon Check on Newegg Audiophile Grade Dekoni Audio Dekoni offers two distinct paths. The Platinum Series uses high-density memory foam and protein leather to reflect sound. It is the closest aftermarket option to OEM performance for ANC. The Choice Suede is incredibly comfortable but porous. It breathes well but leaks sound. Do not buy the suede version if you need to block out airplane engines. Check on Amazon Check on Newegg Budget / Value CentralSound & Misodiko CentralSound A solid US-based option. They ship domestically and provide necessary tools. Their cooling gel pads are a good middle ground for price and performance. Misodiko Known for “mesh” cooling pads. These are great for heat but leak more noise than leather options. Good for office use where absolute silence is not required. Check on Amazon Check on Newegg The Wear Sensor Glitch The WH-1000XM5 has a proximity sensor in the left ear cup. Thicker pads (like Wicked Cushions) increase the distance between your ear and the sensor, causing the headphones to falsely think you removed them. The Fix: Sony Headphones Connect App -> System -> Turn off “Automatic Power Off” and “Pauses when headphones are taken off”. Acoustic Impedance Mismatch When you increase the ear cup depth, you increase the air volume in the chamber. This lowers the resonant frequency of the driver. Result: Mid-bass becomes “boomy” and vocals sound distant. This isn’t a defect in the pad; it’s physics. You must use EQ (see below) to correct the frequency response curve. PRO TIP The EQ Counter-Measure Using thicker pads? You need to counteract the bass bloat. Apply these settings in the Wavelet App (Android) or the Sony App’s custom equalizer. 400 Hz +3 dB 1 kHz +1 dB 2.5 kHz +1 dB Clear Bass -2 Direct Comparison Brand ANC Retention Comfort Profile Sound Impact Sony OEM 100% Shallow; Warm Neutral Dekoni Platinum 90-95% Deep; Luxurious Minor Bass Boost Wicked Cushions 75-85% Thick; Roomy Hollow Mids CentralSound Gel 80-85% Cooling; Medium Slight V-Shape Dekoni Suede 50-60% Ultra Soft Leaky Bass Durability & Cost Analysis 1.5 Years Lifespan Stock Sony Pads Bonded seams split easily. High sweat degrades the thin coating. 2.5 Years Lifespan Wicked Cushions / Gel Reinforced stitching. Gel layer adds weight but prevents foam collapse. 4+ Years Lifespan Real Sheepskin Can be conditioned. Will likely outlast the battery of the headphones. Ownership Cost (3 Year Projection) Budget Pads $15 x 2 replacements $30 total Wicked Cushions $35 x 1 replacement $35 total Dekoni Platinum $70 x 0 replacements $70 total When to Replace? Stage 1: Safe Wrinkles on the inner ring (Normal). Slight softening of foam. Stage 2: Warning Flaking black specks on ears. Noticeable drop in ANC at coffee shops. Stage 3: Critical Seam split exposing yellow foam. Plastic mounting ring visible. Installation Protocol The WH-1000XM5 uses a delicate “claw” system. Unlike the XM4s, you cannot just rip these off. 1 Locate the insertion point Do not pull the pad leather. Look for the plastic baseplate meeting the headphone housing. 2 Use the tool Insert a flat plastic spudger (usually included with replacements) at the 6 o’clock position. 3 Listen for the pop Gently twist. You must hear the clips disengage before you pull the pad away. Frequently Asked Questions Does changing pads void the warranty? Technically, no; pads are consumables. However, if you break the mounting clips during the process, that physical damage is not covered. Why do my new pads make the headphones sound like a tunnel? This is due to increased distance from the driver. Thicker pads create a larger air cavity. Use the EQ settings listed above to correct the hollow midrange. Can I wash the pads? Leather and foam pads cannot be washed; water destroys the foam structure. If you sweat heavily, consider silicone covers (SweatZ) that go over the pads and are washable. Share this: Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Like this:Like Loading... Related Affiliate Disclosure: Soundmaxpro.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Share What's your reaction? Excited 0 Happy 0 In Love 0 Not Sure 0 Silly 0
Reference Standard Sony OEM Parts For the purist, only the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part will do. The foam density and skin porosity are tuned specifically for the microphone array. The Catch: Sourcing them in the US is difficult. Sony uses Encompass for parts distribution. Inventory is often fragmented; you might find the Left pad in stock while the Right pad is backordered. Quick Specs ANC Retention: 100% Material: Soft Fit Leather Price Tier: High ($$$) Availability: Poor
Most Popular Wicked Cushions (WC) Wicked Cushions dominates the US market via Amazon. They solve the primary complaint of the XM5, which is the shallow ear cup. Their pads are significantly thicker. The trade-off is sound. The extra thickness moves the driver away from the ear. This creates a “hollow” effect in the vocals. However, they are the most convenient option and include a pre-installed mounting ring. Reviewer Note: Use the “Freeze” version for initial cooling, but understand the gel warms up after about 30 minutes. Check on Amazon Check on Newegg
Audiophile Grade Dekoni Audio Dekoni offers two distinct paths. The Platinum Series uses high-density memory foam and protein leather to reflect sound. It is the closest aftermarket option to OEM performance for ANC. The Choice Suede is incredibly comfortable but porous. It breathes well but leaks sound. Do not buy the suede version if you need to block out airplane engines. Check on Amazon Check on Newegg
Budget / Value CentralSound & Misodiko CentralSound A solid US-based option. They ship domestically and provide necessary tools. Their cooling gel pads are a good middle ground for price and performance. Misodiko Known for “mesh” cooling pads. These are great for heat but leak more noise than leather options. Good for office use where absolute silence is not required. Check on Amazon Check on Newegg
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