WC Extra Thick Earpads for Sony XM5 Made by Wicked Cushions - Soft PU Leather Cushions, Luxurious Noise Isolating Memory Foam, Added Thickness | Black

Just to start out: These replacement pads made me actually like my headphones!So I had the previous sony model and wanted to upgrade from the 4 to the 5. I got them and was so disappointed and uncomfortable wearing them. My ears hurt, they didn't sit on my head properly (etc) I had replaced my old pairs ear pads with WC 90's black. So nice and comfy so I figured what's the worst that could happen? Ordered it for the new headphones and NOW? I couldn't be happier! My ears do NOT hurt thanks to the added thickness of the cushion, they sit very comfortable on my head now and I had no issue with install. I've gone from I can maybe wear them 30 min to I can wear them for hours! They send you a card that you can scan to get the instructions or you can look on their website. Fool proof L & R tabs on each cover makes it so simple to make sure you get the noise cancelation that makes these headphones 🎶sing🎶 to say the least: They fit, work and I couldn't be more pleasedI have seen the other reviewers that don't like this product but truly try them yourself. I would personally say these are high quality and i was never worried i was going to damage them or my headphones during the install."Hey it's Amazon. Worst case you send them back right?"So much Praise for this company!Thank you WC for helping me not feel like I wasted so much money on headphones!

After rocking my Sony XM5s for over a year with the original earpads, I was hesitant to switch things up. But let me tell you, the WC Wicked Cushions Extra Thick Earpads have blown me away! These are more than just replacements; they're a whole new level of listening comfort and immersion. Forget your original earpads.From the moment you slip them on, it's like sinking into aural paradise. The material feels considerably better in my opinion compared to the original earpads. Extra-thick memory foam molds seamlessly to your head, creating a pressure-free seal that's pure bliss. No more painful ear squish against the drivers, just hours of effortless comfort – even during marathon listening sessions.And the best part? This upgrade doesn't come at the expense of Sony's ANC. I was worried the added thickness might tinker with the magic, but fear not, fellow audiophiles! The noise isolation remains absolutely phenomenal. To be noted; I do not regularly participate in incredibly loud activities or air travel; just daily annoyances so your mileage may vary.I have also not had any issues with the auto shut-off as other reviews mention. If this happens, make sure the earpads are firmly clipped in place against the frame - it's easy to miss one clip throwing off the alignment (this is also true of the clips on the original pads).Installation? A breeze! Wicked Cushions provides clear, step-by-step video tutorial and the whole process takes just minutes. Seams seem high-quality and durable.In a nutshell, Wicked Cushions have transcended the realm of "replacement earpads" in my eyes and entered the territory of being an essential upgrade. If you love your Sony XM5s, but crave next-level comfort, then look no further. Trust me, your ears will thank you.

Fairly easy to install, I used a small plastic tool built for removing the interior trim from automobiles.The cushion is thick and comfortable, the negative space for your ear is just slightly larger but it helps, as well.The only caveat is that in having the thicker ear pads, you move your ear farther away from the drivers which emit the noise-cancelling wavelength.You can demonstrate this by pressing firmly on the headphones with the new cushions installed, as they get closer to your eardrum, and as the seal gets tighter, the NC gets deeper, almost to absolute silence. Let it go and the NC weakens proportionally as it puffs back up and moves away from your ear.I imagine that and the moderately difficult installation is why they are so "frequently returned"?I'm keeping mine. Very comfortable, and the NC is adequate for my purposes. I wish Sony had a way to increase the power of the NC, or better yet, designed the XM5 with thicker earpads.

To preface this, I suffer from misophonia so I wear my XM5's for around 15/16 hours a day. Using them that much for 2+ years, the earpads held up better than I expected. Still, they have started go flat and the texture isn't as smooth. And that mesh no longer smells great. The headphones are still perfectly good so no need to replace them.After I replaced the really messed up earpads on my XM4's I was so impressed that I immediately ordered these. They are such an improvement on the OEM pads. They have the depth I missed on the originals. So now my ears aren't being pinned to the inside all the time. The PU leather feels nicer and feels like it might be more durable. The padding is also slightly more firm but it's the perfect amount of support. They are significantly more comfortable for me.They're also a little easier to install than the XM4 pads and those were already really easy.I can'r say I've noticed a hit to the ANC. Maybe I hear the white noise machine bleed in slightly more but it's so minor it's hardly worth mentioning.Overall, a solid replacement if your earpads need a change. Even if they don't these will elevate your experience.

These things definitely make the xm5s more comfortable bringing the speaker further from your ear, but often disconnect as if not wearing them so that’s a bummer. I like them more than the pads that come with only bc my ears are more comfortable for longer. The seal and noise canceling is better with the original pads tho.