N@Z 0 Report post Posted June 5, 2004 (edited) Earpads on your Grado causing you ear ache? Or your beloved original Grado flat pads wearing away & don't want to pay the high asking price for the replacements? Try the softer more comfortable yellow Sennheiser HD414 replacement earpads. These can be used as a direct swap on any Grado headphone. The following are some basic instructions on the frequently asked: How do I make a clean round "hole" cut? 1. Before starting, obviously, get yourself a pair of the said earpads as shown in the photo below. The earpads are available from Hung Bros, SLS for around RRP SG$18/pair (bargainable to $8.00 as updated by member Deinel). 2. You will need a 20 or 50 cent coin as the stencil (depending on your preference, the smaller hole can be used if you want to tame the bright sound of the SR models. Plus if you mess it up you can redo it using the bigger coin). You will also need a razor sharp pointed cutting knife & a hard smooth surface like a tile etc. 3. Start by placing one of the ear pad (pre-cut hole side up) on your hard smooth surface. 4. Place the coin in the center of the hole & press down very firmly so that the pad underneath the coin is flattened completely & it doesn't move when you cut round the coin. 5. Cut around the coin, making sure you don't release pressure on the coin while doing so. Also avoid lifting off the blade while cutting as this prevents a jagged edge (this is where the razor sharp blade will really help). The smooth surface will enable you to turn round the whole thing without you having to turn your whole body while carrying out the procedure. 6. Take care as you reach the end, the final cut should match up with the point you started at. 7. Once that is completed repeat for the other earpad. Finally, the finished product. I used a 50 cent coin & installed it with the cut end exposed. If you messed up the cut you can still install it the other way round i.e. the original pre cut end exposed. The size will be slightly bigger. Do note that the sound will be affected slightly either way (YMMV) because of the different thicknesses, difference in hole size & the orientation of the outer edge of the pad. Also if installed exposing the original pre-cut hole the outer edge of the pad will point inwards (like you see on the first photo) instead of outwards like the ones installed on my RS-1. Up to you to experiment to suit your taste. Good luck & enjoy the music... longer Edited October 21, 2005 by N@Z Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N@Z 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2004 (edited) Price heads-up for the HD414 earpads from member papaya86, SG$7.50/pair from Sennheiser electronic ASIA Pte. Ltd. http://www.sennheisercommunications.co.uk/ct-asia.html Address: 438A Alexandra Road # 08-10 Alexandra Technopark Singapore 119967 Telephone: (+65) 6-2735202 Fax: (+65) 6-2735038 Email: asia@sennheisercommunications.com Web: http://www.sennheiserasia.com Edited October 15, 2004 by N@Z Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N@Z 0 Report post Posted October 21, 2004 Just found a useful post made by tropicalrips earlier in the DIY forum concerning dyeing the yellow earpads to suit your colour of choice: http://www.sgheadphones.net/index.php?showtopic=2100 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N@Z 0 Report post Posted October 21, 2005 (edited) Latest price update for HD-414 earpads. - Hung Bros SLS, RRP SG$18.00 but offered to member Deinel: SG$8.00 - Sennheiser Asia quoted member afbug: SG$10.00 Get them while they're hot & still YELLOW! Edited October 22, 2005 by N@Z Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N@Z 0 Report post Posted November 9, 2005 afbug confirmed that you can get them for SG$8.00 from Hung Bros. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
