Hifiman Ultra pads
Overview
On open-back headphones, the ear pad determines comfort, but also the distance between the ear and the diaphragm, and therefore part of the sound. Hifiman redesigned its ear pads for the second generation of the HE1000: thicker, asymmetrical, with a polyester contact surface. The same pads are fitted to the Ananda and Arya, making them the logical replacement when the original foam begins to sag.
An asymmetrical shape that follows the ear cup
The Hifiman headphones in question have teardrop-shaped ear cups, wider at the bottom than at the top. The Ultra Pad follows this contour exactly, measuring 133.15 mm wide, to cover the entire ear without compressing it. Its thickness varies: from 17.10 mm at the thinnest part to 28.69 mm at the thickest. This taper follows the profile of the head, which is not flat around the temples, and distributes pressure more evenly around the ear. The ear cup tilts slightly forward, placing the diaphragm at an angle closer to that of the ear canal.
Compared with the first version of the UltraPad, supplied with the original HE1000, the ear pad has become thicker. The ear sits a little farther from the driver grille, a detail that matters during long listening sessions, when the outer ear eventually touches the grille on a pad that is too thin or worn. At 16.05 g per pad, the weight remains negligible on headphones that all weigh over 400 g.
Polyester against the face, faux leather around the edge
The Ultra Pad is a hybrid ear pad, meaning it combines two materials. The outer wall is made of faux leather (synthetic leather): it maintains the foam’s shape and forms a closed enclosure around the ear, helping preserve bass. The surface that touches the head is polyester, replacing the velour used in the previous generation. Hifiman made this choice for acoustic transparency: on open-back planar headphones, some of the sound passes through this fabric surface before reaching the ear, and a fabric that dampens it less adds less coloration to what the diaphragm produces.
In terms of comfort, polyester lets the skin breathe where pressure is greatest, and it gets less warm than an all-faux-leather ear pad. The synthetic outer edge does, however, retain some heat during prolonged listening in summer, a typical compromise of the hybrid approach. The fabric surface also traps dust and hair more easily than a smooth surface, making occasional brushing worthwhile.
Which Hifiman headphones they fit
The Ultra Pad fits the HE1000 V2, Edition X V2, Ananda and Arya, which share the same teardrop-shaped ear cups and attachment system. The ear pad sits on a rigid ring that slides under plastic clips positioned around the edge of the ear cup: replacement is done by hand, without tools or glue. To remove it, simply pull gently on the edge, working all the way around until the clips release the ring.
When refitting it, orientation matters. The asymmetrical shape only fits correctly one way, with the wider part at the bottom, and the thickest part must be on the correct side for the taper to do its job. Then press around the entire edge until you feel each clip snap into place. Hifiman headphones with round or oval ear cups, such as the Sundara or the HE400 series, use different ear pads and cannot accommodate this one.
Technical Specifications
Compatibility
HIFIMAN Headphones: ANANDA, HE1000 V2, ARYA
Dimensions
- Width: 133.15 mm
- Thickness:
- 28.69 mm (thickest part)
- 17.10 mm (thinnest part)
- Weight: 16.05 g
Frequently asked questions
Are the ear pads sold in pairs?
Yes, this item includes a pair, one left ear pad and one right ear pad, enough for a complete set of headphones.
How can you tell when your ear pads need replacing?
Several signs are unmistakable: the foam no longer returns to its original shape after being pressed, the faux leather cracks or peels, or your ear brushes against the driver grille. Compressed foam brings the ear closer to the diaphragm and changes the tonal balance, often with less prominent bass and more pronounced treble. Replacing the ear pads restores the comfort and sound of the headphones when they were new.
Does the sound change compared to the original ear pads?
On an HE1000 V2, an Edition X V2, an Ananda or an Arya, the Ultra Pad matches the stock ear pads: it is a like-for-like replacement that restores the headphones’ original balance. On headphones with heavily aged ear pads, the difference between the old and new sets may be audible, simply because the worn-out foam had altered the distance between the ear and the diaphragm.
What distinguishes these ear pads from the first version of the UltraPad?
Two points: the thickness, which is greater on this version, and the material of the contact surface, which has changed from velvet to polyester. The faux leather surround has remained the same.
How do I care for the Ultra Pads?
A soft brush is enough for the polyester side. Clean the faux leather with a barely damp cloth, without household cleaners or solvents, which would dry it out and accelerate cracking. After a long listening session, leaving the headphones out in the open rather than in their closed box helps the foam release moisture.
Is a tool required for assembly?
No. The clips on the housing hold the ear pad ring in place, and the process is done entirely by hand in a few minutes per side. It is best to work gradually around the ear pad without forcing it, to avoid stressing the plastic clips.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- GTIN / EAN: 6925624201791
