MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads: Fit, Comfort, and Replacement Guide

Quick answer

MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads attach magnetically, so you can pull them off and press new ones on without tools. They are made of lambskin-wrapped memory foam, and they are the on-ear option for the MW50+ — choosing on-ear gives you rich, detailed, expansive sound on the go, while over-ear pads trade that for fuller isolation. Replace them when the foam stops springing back, the lambskin flakes or cracks, or the pads no longer seat firmly.

The MW50+ is unusual because the ear pads are part of how you tune it. Swap on-ear pads for over-ear pads and you change both the feel and the amount of outside noise you let in. That makes fit and pad condition more than a comfort detail — they shape what you actually hear.

This guide answers the questions MW50+ owners ask most: how the on-ear pads fit, what they feel like over a long session, how the magnetic attachment works, and how to tell when a pair has reached the end of its life.

How do MW50+ on-ear ear pads fit?

On-ear pads sit against the outer ear rather than around it, so the fit is defined by gentle pressure at the rim of the ear. On the MW50+, the pads connect magnetically and are removable, which means seating is a matter of alignment rather than force. Press the pad down evenly and the magnets pull it into place.

Because the pads are interchangeable, the same headphone can feel quite different depending on which set is installed. If you wear glasses or have a larger ear, the on-ear position can put more contact pressure on the ear itself than an over-ear pad would.

• Seat the pad evenly before pressing down; misaligned magnets will not pull it flat.
• If one side feels tighter, lift the pad off and reseat it rather than bending the headband.

Are MW50+ on-ear ear pads comfortable for long sessions?

The pads are made of lambskin-wrapped memory foam, which is designed for comfort and breathability. Memory foam softens with body heat, so the first few minutes are usually the firmest part of a listening session. Lambskin is smooth against the skin and tends to feel cooler than coated synthetic surfaces.

Comfort is personal, and on-ear designs distribute pressure differently than over-ear ones. For focused work, long flights, or anything where you want outside sound pushed away, over-ear pads are usually the more comfortable choice. For commuting and casual listening, on-ear keeps the profile lighter and the sound more open.

• Give new pads a few sessions to break in before judging the fit.
• Take a short break every couple of hours during long listening sessions.

How does MW50+ ear pad replacement work?

Replacement is tool-free. Gently pull the ear pad off the headphones and the magnets release; then align a new pad and let the magnets pull it back on. The same motion covers cleaning, personalization, and full replacement.

That magnetic design is why MW50+ owners can keep one headphone and switch between on-ear and over-ear depending on the day. It also means there is nothing to unscrew, stretch, or re-glue, which is where most pad swaps on other headphones go wrong.

• Pull straight away from the housing instead of twisting.
• Keep spare pads in a dry place so the lambskin does not dry out between uses.

When should you replace MW50+ ear pads?

Replace them when the foam no longer springs back after you press it, when the lambskin surface cracks, flakes, or feels tacky, or when the pad no longer sits flat against the housing. Any of those changes affects both comfort and how consistently the pad seals against your ear.

Pad wear is gradual, so it is easy to adapt to a flattening pad without noticing. If you find yourself pushing the headphones down to get the sound you remember, that is usually a sign the foam has compressed past the point of recovering. Replacement pads are inexpensive relative to the headphone itself, so this is a low-cost way to restore the original feel.

• Check both pads at the same time — they usually wear at the same rate.
• If only the surface is soiled but the foam is still springy, clean rather than replace.

Can you switch between on-ear and over-ear on the MW50+?

Yes. The MW50+ accepts both on-ear and over-ear pads, and the choice changes how the headphone behaves. On-ear is described as delivering rich, detailed, and expansive sound on the go. Over-ear is described as providing full sound isolation for focus, productivity, and relaxation.

That makes the pad choice a practical decision rather than a cosmetic one. If you use one pair of headphones for both commuting and deep work, keeping a spare set of pads on hand lets you switch the character of the same headphone instead of buying a second one.

• On-ear for walking, commuting, and open, lively sound.
• Over-ear for noisy rooms, concentration, and passive isolation.

MW50+ pad checklist

Foam rebound test

Press the center of the pad with your thumb and release. The memory foam should return to shape within a few seconds. If it stays compressed, the pad is no longer cushioning your ear properly.

Surface inspection

Look for cracking, flaking, or a tacky feel on the lambskin, especially along the seam where it meets the housing. Surface breakdown is the most common reason to replace rather than clean.

Magnet seating check

Lift each pad and press it back on. It should pull itself flat with light pressure and sit flush all the way around. A pad that will not sit flush will not seal consistently.

Match the pad to the task

On-ear for rich, detailed, expansive sound on the go; over-ear for full sound isolation during focus, productivity, and relaxation. Keep both sets if you use one headphone for commuting and for work.

MW50+ pads and related parts

• MW50+ On-Ear Ear Pads: Made of lambskin-wrapped memory foam and connected to the headphones via magnets; removable for personalization, cleaning, or replacement. Removing them means gently pulling the pads off so the magnets release. No tools and no adhesive means you can clean or swap pads in seconds, and keep a spare set ready for travel or long work sessions.
• MW60 Ear Pads: Made of lambskin-wrapped memory foam and connected via magnets, removable for personalization, cleaning, or replacement. If you own both an MW50+ and an MW60, the care routine is the same: pull to remove, press to reseat, and keep the lambskin dry.
• USB-C to USB-A Adapter: A USB-C to USB-A adapter listed in the Parts category. Useful if you charge or connect from a USB-A port that your MW50+ cable does not fit directly.

MW50+ on-ear pads are a quick, tool-free swap, and that is the point: they let one headphone cover both open, on-the-go listening and isolated, focused sessions. Keep the lambskin clean, watch for foam that stops springing back, and replace the pads when the fit or the seal changes. It is the simplest way to keep an MW50+ sounding and feeling the way it did on day one.