The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro and DT 990 Pro are built to last for a decade or more — but their velour ear pads are not. After a few years of studio sessions, gaming or streaming, the foam goes flat, the fabric pills and fades, and your ears start touching the drivers.
The good news: the ear pads are designed to be replaced. No screws, no glue, no tools. The only tricky part is the tight rubber lip that holds each pad on the ear cup — and this guide shows you exactly how to get it on without tearing it.
You’ll also learn which pads fit the DT 770 Pro, DT 990 Pro, DT 880 and the non-Pro versions, and which material to choose for your use.
⚡ Quick Answer: How to Replace DT 770 / DT 990 Ear Pads
- Pull off the old pad by lifting the rubber lip from the edge of the ear cup, then peeling it all the way around.
- Clean the ear cup and check the inner fabric disc is still in place.
- Hook the new pad’s lip over the top of the ear cup rim first.
- Work your way around with your thumbs, stretching the lip a few centimeters at a time until it sits evenly.
👉 Full step-by-step instructions with tips for the tight lip are below.
Pick the Ear Pads for Your Beyerdynamic Model
Not sure which version you own? Check the label inside the headband or on the ear cup. Use code SAVE15 for 15% OFF.
⚠️ Signs Your DT 770 Pro or DT 990 Pro Ear Pads Need Replacing
Beyerdynamic headphones are famous for being almost indestructible. The headband, drivers and cable can easily outlive ten years of daily use. The ear pads are the one part that wears out — and because it happens slowly, most owners don’t notice until the headphones feel and sound noticeably worse.
If you’ve had your DT 770 Pro or DT 990 Pro for a few years of regular use, there’s a good chance you’re listening on pads that are already past their best. Here’s what to look for.
🔑 Quick test: put the headphones on and press gently on each ear cup. If you can feel the hard plastic or the driver grille through the pad, the foam has lost its thickness and it’s time for new pads.
🔍 The 6 most common warning signs
Flat, Lifeless Foam
New DT pads feel thick and springy. Worn ones stay compressed after you take the headphones off and no longer push back when you squeeze them.
Ears Touching the Drivers
As the foam thins, your ears get closer to the inner fabric disc. Rubbing or pressure on the outer ear is one of the clearest signs the pads are done.
Pilled or Shiny Velour
The soft grey velour gets bobbly, matted or shiny where it touches your skin. It feels rougher and holds more sweat and dust.
Weaker Bass (DT 770 Pro)
The closed-back DT 770 Pro needs a good seal for its deep bass. Flat pads leak air, so low end sounds thinner and isolation drops.
Changed Sound (DT 990 Pro)
On the open-back DT 990 Pro, thinner pads move the drivers closer to your ears. Treble can feel harsher and the wide soundstage less spacious.
Pads Slipping Off
Over time the rubber lip stretches or hardens. If a pad pops off the ear cup on its own, or no longer sits flat, it won’t seal properly anymore.
⚠️ Don’t wait for visible damage. Velour pads rarely tear or peel like leather ones — they just slowly flatten. By the time they look worn, comfort and sound have usually been degraded for months.
⏳ Why DT 770 and DT 990 pads wear out
Beyerdynamic studio headphones are often worn for many hours a day, which puts constant stress on the cushions:
- 🎧 Clamping force — the DT series has a firm headband that compresses the foam every session
- 💦 Sweat and skin oils — velour absorbs moisture, which breaks down the foam from the inside
- 🎮 Long sessions — mixing, gaming and streaming often mean 4–8 hours of daily use
- 🌡️ Heat — warm rooms and studio lights speed up foam ageing
Often 3 years or more
Usually 18 months – 3 years
Often about 12 months
Want to understand how pad thickness changes the way any headphone sounds? Read our guide: Are Your Ear Pads Too Thin?
✅ The good news: fresh pads bring back the original comfort, seal and sound your DT 770 Pro or DT 990 Pro had out of the box — for a fraction of the price of new headphones.
🎧 Recognize These Signs?
Grab a fresh pair of pads for your DT 770 or DT 990, then follow the steps below to install them in minutes. Use code SAVE15 for 15% OFF.
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🧰 Before You Start: What You Need
Replacing DT 770 Pro or DT 990 Pro ear pads is one of the easiest headphone repairs you can do. There are no screws, no clips and no glue. Each pad is held on by a flexible lip that wraps around a raised ring on the ear cup — you simply peel the old one off and stretch the new one on.
One pair matched to your DT model (Pro or non-Pro).
To wipe dust and old foam crumbs off the ear cups.
A guitar pick or old gift card helps tuck the last bit of the lip. Never use metal.
The first pad takes longest. The second one goes much faster.
💡 Pro tip: if your new pads arrived in a cold delivery van, leave them at room temperature for an hour before installing. A warm lip is softer and much easier to stretch over the ear cup.
🔍 Know the 3 parts you’ll be working with
- The ear cup ring — the raised plastic edge around the driver that the pad hooks onto.
- The pad lip — the thin, stretchy flange on the back of the pad. This is what grips the ring.
- The fabric disc — a thin cloth or foam cover over the driver. It often sits loose and can come out with the old pad, so keep an eye on it.
⚠️ Don’t throw away the fabric disc. It protects the driver from dust and is part of how Beyerdynamic tuned the sound. If it comes off, simply lay it back over the driver before fitting the new pad.
✋ How to Remove DT 770 / DT 990 Ear Pads
Taking the old pads off is the easy part. Old pads usually come off in under a minute, especially if the lip has already stretched with age.
Grip the pad at its outer edge
Hold the headphone by the ear cup with one hand. With the other, pinch the pad near the back edge, where it meets the plastic.
Pull outward to pop the lip free
Pull the pad away from the ear cup (not straight up). The lip will slide over the ring at that spot. If it’s stuck, slide a fingernail under the lip to start it.
Peel it off all the way around
Once one section is free, work your fingers around the ring and the rest of the pad will come off easily.
Check the fabric disc and clean the ear cup
Make sure the fabric disc is still covering the driver. Wipe the ring and ear cup with a dry cloth to remove dust, hair and crumbs of old foam. Avoid liquids near the driver.
✅ Do one side at a time. Keeping one original pad on gives you a reference for how the new lip should sit on the ring.
🔧 How to Install New DT 770 Pro / DT 990 Pro Ear Pads
This is the step where most people struggle — not because it’s complicated, but because new lips are tight. That tightness is a good sign: it’s what keeps the pad sealed and in place for years. The trick is to work a little at a time instead of forcing it all at once.
🎯 Good to know: DT 770 and DT 990 pads are perfectly round, so there is no left, right, top or bottom. Any orientation works.
Find the lip on the back of the new pad
Turn the pad over. The lip is the thin, stretchy edge around the opening. Gently flex it a few times to soften it up.
Hook one section of the lip over the ring
Start at the top of the ear cup. Slide a few centimeters of the lip over the ring and hold it firmly in place with your thumb.
Work around with the “thumb walk”
With your free hand, stretch the next 2–3 cm of lip over the ring, then move your holding thumb forward to lock it. Repeat on both sides, working evenly in both directions from the starting point.
Finish the last (tightest) section
The final few centimeters are the hardest. Pull the pad outward to stretch the lip, then tuck it over the ring with a fingertip — or use a guitar pick or plastic card to guide it in.
Check the seal all the way around
Run your finger around the back of the pad. The lip should be fully hooked behind the ring with no gaps, folds or bulges. If one spot looks loose, pull it out and re-tuck it.
Repeat on the other side and test
Install the second pad the same way, then put the headphones on and play some bass-heavy music. Both sides should feel equally soft and sound balanced.
🕐 New pads feel firmer at first — that’s normal
Fresh foam is thicker than the pads you just removed, so the headphones may feel a bit tighter and sound slightly different for the first few days. The foam settles after several hours of wear and becomes noticeably softer.
🔧 Ready to Do It Yourself?
Our DT 770 and DT 990 replacement pads use the same lip design as the originals for a tight, secure fit. Use code SAVE15 for 15% OFF.
Choose Your DT Ear Pads ↑
🚫 Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Almost every installation problem on DT headphones comes down to the lip. Here are the issues we hear about most — and the quick fix for each.
❌ Forcing the whole lip on at once
Pulling hard in one spot can tear or overstretch the lip.
✅ Fix: work in small 2–3 cm sections with the thumb walk technique.
❌ Pad pops off when you put the headphones on
One section of the lip is sitting on top of the ring instead of behind it.
✅ Fix: feel around the back, find the loose spot and tuck it fully behind the ring.
❌ Weak bass or uneven sound
A small gap or fold in the lip lets air leak, especially on the closed-back DT 770 Pro.
✅ Fix: remove and re-seat the pad until the lip sits flat all the way round.
❌ Forgetting the fabric disc
The disc fell out with the old pad and never went back in.
✅ Fix: lay it back over the driver before fitting the new pad. It protects the driver and keeps the tuning right.
❌ Using a screwdriver or knife
Metal tools can scratch the ear cup or puncture the lip and velour.
✅ Fix: fingers only — or a plastic card or guitar pick for the final tuck.
❌ Buying pads for the wrong model
DT 1770, DT 1990 and DT 240 pads look similar but are a different design.
✅ Fix: check the compatibility table in the next section before ordering.
🔄 Do These Pads Fit the Non-Pro DT 770, DT 880 or DT 990?
This is one of the most common questions about Beyerdynamic headphones — and the answer is good news. The DT 770, DT 880 and DT 990 families share the same ear cup size and the same lip mounting system, whether you own the Pro version or the consumer version (Premium, Edition, M).
The impedance doesn’t matter either. A DT 770 Pro 32 Ω, 80 Ω or 250 Ω all use the same pads.
| Beyerdynamic Model | Type | Same Pad Format? |
|---|---|---|
| DT 770 Pro (32 / 80 / 250 Ω) | Closed-back studio | ✅ Yes |
| DT 770 (M / Premium / Edition) | Closed-back | ✅ Yes |
| DT 990 Pro (250 Ω) | Open-back studio | ✅ Yes |
| DT 990 (Premium / Edition) | Open-back | ✅ Yes |
| DT 880 / DT 880 Pro | Semi-open | ✅ Yes |
| DT 770 Pro X / DT 990 Pro X | Newer generation | ⚠️ Check product page |
| DT 1770 Pro / DT 1990 Pro | Flagship studio | ❌ Different pads |
| DT 240 Pro / DT 250 | Compact studio | ❌ Different pads |
🔎 How to identify your exact model
- 🏷️ Check the headband or yoke — the model name and impedance are printed on the side.
- 🔌 Look at the cable — the DT 770 Pro, DT 880 Pro and DT 990 Pro have a fixed cable; the Pro X versions use a detachable one.
- 👂 Look at the ear cup back — a solid back means closed (DT 770), a grille means open (DT 990) or semi-open (DT 880).
💡 Not sure about the size? Measure your current pad’s outer diameter and compare it to the product page. Our guide on how to measure headphone ear pads shows you exactly where to measure.
🧵 Velour, PU Leather or Cooling Gel: Which Is Best for Your DT?
Beyerdynamic ships the DT 770 Pro and DT 990 Pro with velour pads — and for good reason. But replacing your pads is also the perfect moment to change the material to suit how you actually use your headphones.
⚠️ Important: the pad material changes the sound, not just the comfort. Leather seals more tightly and boosts bass. Velour breathes and keeps the sound more open. This effect is bigger on the open-back DT 990 Pro.
Velour
The stock material on both models. Soft, breathable and tuned to deliver the sound Beyerdynamic intended.
- ✔️ Coolest for long sessions
- ✔️ Keeps the DT 990 Pro airy and wide
- ✔️ Ideal for mixing and reference listening
- ➖ Slightly less isolation and bass
PU Leather
Creates a tighter seal around your ears. A popular upgrade on the DT 770 Pro for anyone who wants more punch and isolation.
- ✔️ Stronger, tighter bass
- ✔️ Better isolation (less sound bleed when recording)
- ✔️ Easy to wipe clean
- ➖ Warmer on the ears
Cooling Gel
Combines a good seal with a cooling layer that reduces heat build-up. Great for gamers and streamers wearing their DT all day.
- ✔️ Stays cooler than leather
- ✔️ Good seal and bass
- ✔️ Comfortable for very long sessions
- ➖ Slightly heavier feel
🎯 Our recommendation by use
| Your use | DT 770 Pro | DT 990 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 🎚️ Mixing & mastering | Velour | Velour |
| 🎤 Recording / tracking | PU leather | Not ideal (open-back leaks sound) |
| 🎮 Gaming & streaming | Cooling gel or velour | Velour |
| 🎵 Bass-heavy music | PU leather | Cooling gel |
| 🔥 Hot room / sweaty ears | Velour | Velour |
Want a deeper comparison of each material? Read Leather vs Velour vs Mesh Ear Pads.
❓ DT 770 Pro & DT 990 Pro Ear Pads – FAQ
Are DT 770 Pro and DT 990 Pro ear pads the same size?
Yes. Both models use the same ear cup size and the same lip mounting system, so the pads are physically interchangeable. The DT 880 uses the same format too.
Do I need tools to replace Beyerdynamic DT ear pads?
No. The pads come off and go on by hand. A plastic card or guitar pick can help tuck the last section of the lip, but it’s optional. Never use metal tools.
Why are the new pads so hard to put on?
A new lip hasn’t stretched yet, which is what keeps it secure. Warm the pads to room temperature, flex the lip a few times, and work around the ring in small sections instead of pulling it all at once.
Does the impedance (32, 80 or 250 ohm) change which pads I need?
No. All impedance versions of the DT 770 Pro share the same housing and the same pads. Impedance only affects the drivers inside.
Will leather pads change how my DT 770 Pro sounds?
Yes. PU leather creates a tighter seal, which usually means stronger bass and better isolation. Velour keeps the original, slightly more open sound that Beyerdynamic tuned the headphones for.
How often should I replace DT 770 / DT 990 ear pads?
With daily use, typically every 18 months to 3 years. Heavy studio or gaming use can wear them out in about a year. Replace them as soon as the foam stays flat or your ears touch the fabric disc.
Can I clean velour DT pads instead of replacing them?
Cleaning removes dirt and odors, but it won’t bring flattened foam back to life. If the pads are just dirty, see our guide on how to clean headphone ear pads safely. If they’re flat, replacing them is the only real fix.
Do DT 770 Pro pads fit the DT 1770 Pro or DT 1990 Pro?
No. The DT 1770 Pro and DT 1990 Pro use a different pad design. DT 770 / 880 / 990 pads are only for those three model families.
My ears get hot with DT 770 Pro. Which pads should I choose?
Stick with velour, which is the most breathable option, or try cooling gel if you also want more bass. Avoid standard PU leather if heat is your main problem. More tips in Why Do Headphones Make My Ears Hot?
More Studio & Replacement Guides
Fresh Pads, Same Legendary Sound
Your DT 770 Pro or DT 990 Pro can easily last another decade. New ear pads bring back the comfort, seal and sound you bought them for. Use code SAVE15 for 15% OFF.
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