MW50+ Ear Pads Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Replacement
By Professional Headphones & Luxury Earphones | Master & Dynamic | Published: 2026-09-14
Category: Buying Guides
Decide between MW50+ on-ear and over-ear replacement pads using fit, sound isolation, and comfort priorities. A practical guide to choosing the right pair.
Quick answer
If you want one pair that handles commuting, calls, and everyday listening, buy the MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads. If you mainly listen at a desk, study, or on flights and want more isolation, buy the MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads. Both are lambskin-wrapped memory foam and attach magnetically, so the real decision is on-ear versus over-ear, not brand or material.

MW50+ headphones accept two different pad shapes, and that choice changes how they feel and how much outside noise reaches you. The pads are also removable, so you can swap them for cleaning, personalization, or replacement without buying a new headset.
This guide gives you decision rules for picking between the MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads and the MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads, explains what the catalog actually confirms, and flags where the specifications stop short so you can decide with clear expectations.
Start With How You Listen, Not the Spec Sheet
The MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads are described as delivering rich, detailed, and expansive sound on the go. That makes them the natural pick if your listening happens while walking, commuting, or moving between places, where you want to stay aware of your surroundings. The over-ear version is described as providing full sound isolation for focus, productivity, and relaxation, which suits stationary listening where blocking the room matters more than staying aware.
Both are made of lambskin-wrapped memory foam and connect via magnets. Because the material and attachment method are the same, your decision comes down to shape, seal, and how long you tend to wear them in one sitting.
- Write down your two most common listening situations before choosing; the pad that wins both is your pair.
- If you split time evenly, start with on-ear and add over-ear later as a second set.
On-Ear vs Over-Ear: The Real Trade-Off
On-ear pads sit against the ear rather than around it. The catalog ties this shape to expansive sound on the go, which is useful when you want music to feel open and you still need to hear traffic, announcements, or a coworker. The trade-off is less isolation, so loud environments will compete with your audio.
Over-ear pads surround the ear and are tied to full sound isolation. That helps in open offices, on planes, and during focused work or relaxation. The trade-off is a larger footprint and a different feel against the head, which some listeners notice more during long sessions. Neither shape is universally better; they solve different problems.
- Choose on-ear if awareness and portability matter most.
- Choose over-ear if blocking ambient sound is the priority.
Fit, Comfort, and What the Catalog Does Not Say
Comfort depends on clamp force, head size, glasses, and how long you wear the headphones, not just pad material. The catalog confirms lambskin-wrapped memory foam and breathability for both MW50+ pad options, but it does not publish pad thickness, inner diameter, or weight. Treat those as unknown rather than assuming one shape is softer.
The practical answer is to match shape to use. If you wear headphones for hours at a desk, over-ear is the more common choice because the ear is not pressed. If you wear them in short bursts while moving, on-ear keeps things lighter and more aware. If you are unsure, the magnetic attachment makes swapping simple, so you are not locked in.
- Wear glasses? Over-ear pads usually reduce pressure on the temples, but test before committing to a long session.
- Because thickness is not published, judge comfort by shape and session length rather than assuming a spec advantage.
Compatibility and Replacement Basics
MW50+ pads are designed for MW50+ headphones. Do not assume MW60 Ear Pads, MW75 Ear Pads, or MG20 Ear Pads will fit your MW50+ model; those are separate replacement parts for their own headphones. If you own a different model, buy the pad made for it.
Replacement is tool-free. To remove a pad, gently pull it off the headphones and the magnets release. To install, align the new pad and let the magnets seat it. The same magnetic design is what makes personalization, cleaning, and replacement practical, so you can keep one headset and change its character.
- Match the pad name to your headphone model before ordering.
- Pull gently and evenly; the magnets release without force.
When to Replace Instead of Rebuy
Pads are a wear item. If yours are flattened, flaking, or no longer sealing well, replacing them is cheaper than replacing the headphones. The MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads and MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads are sold as individual replacement parts, and both are listed at a discount from their comparison price, which makes a refresh more attractive than a new headset.
Replacing also lets you change your listening profile. If you started with on-ear and now work from home more, switching to over-ear pads is a low-cost way to gain isolation without changing anything else about your setup.
- Replace when comfort or seal degrades, not on a fixed schedule.
- Keep the old pads as a backup if they are still usable.
Decision Rules for Buying MW50+ Ear Pads
- If you commute or walk while listening: Choose MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads for expansive sound on the go and more awareness of your surroundings. On-ear is the travel-and-motion pick.
- If you work, study, or fly and need quiet: Choose MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads for full sound isolation for focus, productivity, and relaxation. Over-ear is the focus-and-isolation pick.
- If you wear headphones for hours: Over-ear usually reduces pressure on the ear, but pad thickness is not published, so judge by shape and session length. Long sessions favor over-ear; short sessions favor on-ear.
- If your current pads are worn: Replace them rather than replacing the headphones; both MW50+ pad options are removable and magnetically attached. A pad refresh is the lower-cost fix.
- If you own a different model: Do not buy MW50+ pads for MW60, MW75, or MG20 headphones; those use their own replacement pads. Match the pad name to your headphone model.
MW50+ Pad Facts That Matter
- MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads: Made of lambskin-wrapped memory foam, connected via magnets, and described as delivering rich, detailed, and expansive sound on the go. Best if you listen while moving and want to stay aware of your surroundings.
- MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads: Made of lambskin-wrapped memory foam, connected via magnets, and described as providing full sound isolation for focus, productivity, and relaxation. Best if you listen at a desk, study, or travel and want to block ambient noise.
- MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads: Removable for personalization, cleaning, or replacement; pull gently to release the magnets. You can swap shapes or refresh worn pads without tools or a new headset.
- MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads: Removable for personalization, cleaning, or replacement; pull gently to release the magnets. Makes it easy to change your listening profile or clean pads over time.
Which MW50+ Pad Fits Your Use
Best for
- Commuters and walkers who want expansive sound and awareness
- Listeners who prefer a lighter on-ear feel for short sessions
- Anyone replacing worn MW50+ pads without changing headphones
Not for
- Listeners who need maximum isolation in loud rooms or on flights
- Long desk sessions where ear pressure becomes noticeable
- Owners of MW60, MW75, or MG20 headphones, who need their own model's pads
Pick MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads for motion and awareness, or MW50+ Over-Ear Ear Pads for isolation and focus. Both are lambskin-wrapped memory foam with magnetic attachment, so the shape is the decision. If you are unsure, start with the one that matches your most common listening situation and swap later.



