I Tried Maintaining the SONY MDR-7506

Many people, including musicians, music creators, and music listeners, use headphones. Before I knew it, I had accumulated over 10 pairs of headphones and earphones, each with its own unique sound character that I enjoy. Among them, my SONY MDR-7506 headphones, which I've been using for over 10 years, have recently started acting up. So, I decided to give them some maintenance. In this article, I'd like to share my experience with you.

■ Connection Issues

Recently, I noticed that the sound cuts out when I move the cable. After a bit of investigation, I found that the issue occurs frequently at the connection point between the plug and the cable, suggesting a possible internal break. Unfortunately, this model has a plug that’s difficult to disassemble, and attempting to do so would almost certainly result in damage or, at best, a messy outcome. Therefore, I decided to abandon the idea of disassembly and opted instead to either replace the cable or swap out the plug.

I searched through my work desk and parts box, hoping to find a suitable replacement cable, but I couldn’t find anything that would work. Even at Sound House, while they offer a replacement cable for the MDR-CD900ST, there wasn’t one available specifically for the MDR-7506.

SONY / 1-574-171-14 Plugged Cord for MDR-CD900ST

While the MDR-CD900ST cable is compatible, it’s a straight type. However, I have a strong preference for the coiled cord that the MDR-7506 is known for, so I decided to replace the plug instead.

■ Plug Replacement

This time, I decided to replace the plug with a Canare F-12.

Although the F-12 is considerably heavier than the original connector, I frequently use my MDR-7506 for sound checks in audio production. The durability of the F-12 seems ideal for use in such environments.

Let's get started on the connector replacement.

First, I cut off the original connector. Although I really liked the gold-plated plug for its sleek look, practicality comes first.

The replacement was quick and easy, with no issues in conductivity or sound output—everything works perfectly. While I was at it, I also replaced the ear pads. After about three years of use, the synthetic leather on the ear pads tends to start peeling off.

■ Which Ear Pads Are Best?

I've replaced the ear pads on my headphones about three times.

SONY / 2-115-668-03 Replacement Ear Pads

SONY / 2-115-695-01/02 Ear Pads for MDR-CD900ST

While the SONY ear pads are great, I found that the ones for the MDR-CD900ST were too thin and didn’t fit my ears comfortably. So, I searched around and discovered a thicker, more comfortable alternative that doesn’t cause ear fatigue. That would be these:

CLASSIC PRO / CPH7000 Replacement Ear Pads

Surprisingly, the CPH7000 ear pads fit perfectly, offer good thickness, and provide excellent value. I’m currently using these on my headphones.

Since ear pads can affect the sound, it’s interesting to try different ones to see how they change the listening experience.

■ Additional Maintenance

This time, I only replaced the plug and ear pads, but you might be able to find other replacement parts if you look around.

For example, I managed to get a replacement driver for the MDR-7506 a few years ago. It’s hard to find now, so I’ve kept it as a spare, but I’m hesitant to use it because it feels too valuable. To avoid needing to use these spare parts, I plan to take good care of my headphones.

I hope this article serves as a helpful guide for your own headphone maintenance.