MG20 Ear Pads vs MW50+ Ear Pads: Fit and Comfort Compared

Quick answer

If you own MW50+ headphones, buy the MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads or MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads, because the same headphone switches between both fits. If you own MG20 headphones, neither MW50+ pad is the match, so confirm your exact model before ordering. Master & Dynamic's supplied catalog lists no MG20 ear pads, which means the practical answer is model-specific: match the pad to the headphone, then choose the fit you actually wear.

Ear pads are the cheapest way to change how a headphone feels and sounds, but they are also the easiest accessory to buy wrong. The MG20 and MW50+ look similar in photos and cost about the same, yet the pads are built for different headphones and different wearing styles.

This comparison sticks to what Master & Dynamic publishes in its catalog: magnetic attachment, lambskin-wrapped memory foam, and a clear split between on-ear and over-ear fits. Where the catalog is silent, such as MG20 pad availability, we treat that as a real limitation rather than guessing.

What the catalog actually confirms

Every ear pad in the supplied catalog uses the same core construction: lambskin-wrapped memory foam attached to the headphones by magnets. That shared design is why swapping pads is a pull-and-place job rather than a repair. The catalog instructions say to gently pull the ear pads off and the magnets release, so no tools and no adhesive are involved.

The differences sit in fit and model support. MW50+ pads come in two versions, on-ear and over-ear, for the same headphone. MW60 Ear Pads and MW75 Neuro Ear Pads are listed for their own models. No MG20 ear pads appear in the catalog, so anyone searching for MG20 replacements should verify their model with the store before ordering.

• Check the model name printed on your headphone before comparing pad prices.
• Magnetic attachment means you can swap pads in seconds once you have the right size.

Over-ear vs on-ear pads: the real comfort trade-off

The MW50+ system is unusual because one headphone accepts both fits. The catalog describes on-ear pads as delivering rich, detailed and expansive sound on the go, while over-ear pads are described for full sound isolation for focus, productivity and relaxation. That is a genuine lifestyle split, not marketing filler: on-ear pads sit lighter and pack smaller, over-ear pads seal around the ear.

Comfort follows the same logic. Over-ear pads spread pressure around the ear rather than pressing on it, which usually suits long desk sessions. On-ear pads press against the ear, which some listeners find fine for commutes and uncomfortable after a few hours. Because both use lambskin-wrapped memory foam, the deciding factor is shape and seal, not material quality.

• Choose over-ear if you wear headphones for hours at a desk or want isolation.
• Choose on-ear if you commute, travel light, or prefer a smaller footprint.

Fit guidance before you order

Fit starts with the headphone, not the pad. MW50+ owners can pick either MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads or MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads and switch later, since both attach magnetically to the same headphone. MW60 owners should stay with MW60 Ear Pads, and MW75 Neuro owners with MW75 Neuro Ear Pads - Black Leather.

If you are searching for MG20 ear pads, the supplied catalog does not list them, so treat that as an open question rather than a match. Confirm compatibility with the store before buying, and do not assume an MW50+ pad will seat correctly just because the attachment method sounds similar. Model-specific pads exist for a reason.

• Pull one pad off gently and check the magnet ring before ordering a replacement.
• Buy two pads if both sides are worn; pads are sold as individual parts in this catalog.

Price, colors, and practical extras

The MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads list at USD 22.50 and the MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads at USD 24.50, with MW60 Ear Pads and MW75 Neuro Ear Pads - Black Leather also at USD 24.50. Each comes in multiple colors, which matters if you use pads to personalize a headphone rather than just restore it.

Two small parts are worth knowing about if you listen away from a phone or laptop. The 3.5mm to 1/4" Adapter at USD 14.50 connects a standard headphone cable to home stereo and studio gear, and the Flight Adapter at USD 14.50 covers airline seat entertainment systems. Neither changes fit, but both extend where your headphones work.

• Color options make pads a low-cost way to refresh a worn-looking headphone.
• Adapters are separate purchases; check your cable end before assuming you need one.

Trade-offs to weigh before buying

• Over-ear isolation vs on-ear portability: MW50+ over-ear pads are described for full sound isolation, while on-ear pads are described for expansive sound on the go. You gain quiet focus with over-ear and a smaller, lighter feel with on-ear. Pick based on where you listen most, not which looks better in photos.
• One headphone, two fits vs model-locked pads: MW50+ is the flexible case because both fits attach to the same headphone. MW60 and MW75 Neuro pads are tied to their own models, and no MG20 pads appear in the supplied catalog. If your model is not MW50+, match the pad name to the headphone name exactly.
• Lower pad price vs total cost of accessories: Pads run USD 22.50 to USD 24.50, but the 3.5mm to 1/4" Adapter and Flight Adapter add USD 14.50 each if you need them. Budget for the pads you need first, then add adapters only if your gear requires them.

Catalog facts that decide the comparison

• MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads: Made of lambskin-wrapped memory foam and connected to the headphones via magnets; the catalog describes over-ear as providing full sound isolation for focus, productivity and relaxation. Best pick for long listening sessions, shared offices, and anyone who wants the ear to sit inside the pad rather than against it.
• MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads: Made of lambskin-wrapped memory foam with magnetic attachment; the catalog describes on-ear as delivering rich, detailed and expansive sound on the go. The lighter, more portable option for commuters and travelers who accept less isolation in exchange for a smaller fit.
• MW60 Ear Pads: Made of lambskin-wrapped memory foam and connected to the headphones via magnets; removable for personalization, cleaning or replacement. A model-specific pad, so MW50+ buyers should not substitute it even though the materials and attachment method match.
• MW75 Neuro Ear Pads - Black Leather: Listed in the catalog at USD 24.50 with color options; no catalog description was supplied. Treat this as a model-specific pad for MW75 Neuro headphones. Because no description is supplied, confirm details with the store rather than assuming shared features.

Which ear pads should you buy?

Best for

• MW50+ owners who want to switch between on-ear portability and over-ear isolation on the same headphone
• Listeners replacing worn lambskin-wrapped memory foam pads on MW50+, MW60, or MW75 Neuro headphones
• Buyers who want to personalize a headphone with a different pad color

Not for

• MG20 owners, because the supplied catalog lists no MG20 ear pads and compatibility must be confirmed with the store
• Anyone assuming pads are interchangeable across models just because they attach magnetically
• Buyers who need a full headphone replacement rather than a removable part

The short version: MW50+ owners get a real choice between on-ear and over-ear pads, while MG20 owners should confirm compatibility before ordering because no MG20 pads appear in the supplied catalog. Match the pad to your headphone model first, then choose the fit that matches how you actually listen.