Replacing the Ear Pads on a Sony MDR-CD900ST: Cheap Third-Party Pads Tested

This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.

Quick take

My Sony MDR-CD900ST had been in daily use for close to ten years, and the ear pads were flaking apart. Instead of buying genuine Sony pads, I tried a cheap third-party pair from Amazon plus a zip-on headband cover. The result: the seal and comfort came back, and I could barely hear any change in sound. The headband cover looks a bit clumsy, though.

Sony MDR-CD900ST fitted with third-party ear pads — The CD900ST with the new pads

What I tested

Sony MDR-CD900ST studio monitor headphones, about ten years old
A pair of third-party replacement ear pads made for the CD900ST / MDR-7506 family
A zip-on headband cover (I could not find a replacement headband part)

What I found

	Old Sony pads	Replacement pads
Feel	Dry and flaking	Soft
Ear-side fabric	Thin, see-through	Thicker, not see-through
Seal	Almost none left	Seals well
Ear contact	Driver housing touched my ears	Cushion sits around the ear

Old Sony ear pad next to the replacement pad — Old pad on the left, replacement on the right — slightly different shape and much thicker

The old pads pull off by hand; you can use some force.
The foam disc inside the cup had turned sticky and was crumbling. I removed it so debris would not fall onto the driver. If you have used yours for years, check this part too.
Fitting tip: stretch the pad over the outer edge first, then work the lip into the gap all the way round. My first side took a while; the second went on quickly with this order.
Sound: with one side swapped, the new side seemed very slightly softer in the treble — small enough that it could be my imagination. With both sides done, the better seal made them, if anything, easier to listen to.
The headband cover was a very tight fit but zipped on perfectly, and it is more cushioned than the worn original. It does look like the headphones are wearing a sock.

MDR-CD900ST cup with the old pad and inner foam removed — The inner foam had crumbled; I took it out

Who it’s for

CD900ST owners whose pads are falling apart and who want a cheap fix
Anyone using these at home for music or editing, where looks matter less than comfort
If you want to keep the stock look for use outside, or want zero change in sound, genuine Sony pads are the safer choice

Watch the video

【SONY MDR-CD900STを新品同様に】20年使えるヘッドホンに！イヤーパッド＆ヘッドバンド交換で劇的リフレッシュ

The video is in Japanese. The pad removal starts around 2:00, the first pad goes on around 4:35, a quick listening check is at about 6:10, the easier fitting method is around 8:00, and the headband cover is at about 8:30.

Limitations

This is a one-time repair on my own pair, not a lab measurement. My sound impressions are by ear. The pad listing I link is the closest match I could find to the pads in the video; check that it lists the CD900ST as compatible before buying. I did not link the headband cover because I could not identify the exact one.

Products

Replacement ear pads for the Sony MDR-CD900ST: on Amazon Japan

Sony MDR-CD900ST: on Amazon Japan

The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.

More reviews in English