How to Swap Ear Pads on Meze Headphones: A Step-by-Step Fitting Guide

Quick answer

Changing Meze ear pads is a tool-free job on most models: grip the old pad at the seam, peel it away from the cup, then press the new pad's lip into the same groove until it seats evenly. Match the pad to your exact model first, because fit and tuning differ between 99 Classics, Liric, Empyrean and Elite. Work slowly, keep the pads clean, and test the seal before you call it done.

Ear pads are the most replaced part of any headphone, and on Meze models they are also the easiest upgrade you can make at home. A fresh set restores comfort, brings back the bass seal you lost when the old foam flattened, and can shift the sound toward airier or warmer depending on which pad you choose.

This guide walks through the full swap on Meze headphones, from picking the right pad to reseating it without creases. The process is similar across the range, but the details matter: the 99 Classics, Liric, Empyrean and Elite use different pad designs, and a pad meant for one will not fit another. Confirm compatibility before you start, then follow the steps below.

Before you start: match the pad to your model

Meze pads are model-specific, so the first step is confirming which headphone you own. The 99 SERIES EAR PADS fit the 99 Classics Walnut Gold, 99 Classics Walnut Silver and 99 NEO, but they are not compatible with the 99 Classics 2nd Gen. The ANGLED ALCANTARA EAR PADS are made for the Empyrean, Empyrean II and Elite. The LIRIC EAR PADS are for the Liric. If you are unsure, check the model name on the headband or the original packaging.

Pad material also changes the result. The 99 SERIES EAR PADS use soft PU leather with medium-density memory foam, available in standard and small sizes. The Angled Alcantara pads use soft foam coated in Alcantara with a protective mesh, and their angled shape creates more space inside the pad. The Liric pads use high-grade memory foam with a PU leather exterior and precision-cut air vents. None of these are interchangeable, so choose by model first, then by the sound and feel you want.

• Check the model name on the headband before ordering pads.
• The 99 Classics 2nd Gen uses different pads than the first-generation 99 Classics.

Removing the old pads

Work on a clean, well-lit surface. Hold the headphone with one hand and grip the edge of the ear pad with the other. Most Meze pads attach by a lip that tucks into a groove around the cup, so you are peeling rather than unscrewing. Start at the seam where the pad meets the cup and ease the lip out with your fingertips. Do not pull from the middle of the pad, and do not use a screwdriver or knife, since metal tools can scratch the cup or tear the foam.

Once the lip is free at one point, walk your fingers around the circumference and release the rest. If the pad has been on for years, the foam may be compressed and the lip may stick slightly; steady pressure works better than a sharp tug. Set the old pads aside rather than discarding them immediately, so you can compare their size and shape against the replacements.

• Never pry with metal tools; fingertips only.
• If a pad resists, check for a hidden clip or screw before forcing it.

Fitting the new pads

Before pressing the new pad into place, check the groove for dust or old adhesive residue and wipe it clean. Align the pad so any logo, mesh or vent lines sit where they should: the Angled Alcantara pads have a specific front and back orientation, and the Liric pads have air vents that must line up with the cup chamber. If the pad is asymmetric, test-fit it without pressing down first to confirm the orientation.

Then press the lip into the groove a small section at a time, working around the cup. You should feel it seat rather than slide. Once the full circumference is in, run a fingertip around the edge to check for pinched material or gaps. A pad that sits unevenly will leak bass and feel lopsided, so fix any lifted section before moving on. The Liric ear pad kit includes an alcohol wipe, which is useful for cleaning the cup surface before fitting.

• Test-fit asymmetric pads before pressing them in.
• A pad that seats with a click or firm press is correctly aligned; one that slides freely is not.

Checking the seal and comfort

Put the headphones on and listen at a low volume first. A correct seal gives you even bass on both sides and a stable, quiet fit. If one side sounds thinner or the pad feels loose, take it off and reseat it. Press gently around the rim while wearing them to feel for any spot that lifts. Small gaps usually mean the lip is not fully in the groove, not that the pad is the wrong size.

Comfort matters as much as sound. The 99 SERIES EAR PADS come in standard and small sizes, which changes both the fit and the pressure around your ears. The Angled Alcantara pads create more internal space, which some listeners find cooler and less cramped over long sessions. Give any new pad a few hours of listening before judging it, since memory foam takes time to conform.

• Listen at low volume first to catch an uneven seal.
• Allow a few hours for memory foam to settle before deciding on fit.

When to replace other wear parts

If you are already swapping pads, it is a good moment to inspect the headband. On the Liric, the LIRIC HEADBAND KIT includes a leather headband with the Liric engraving, a steel spring band and six M2 x 10mm T6 Torx screws. The padded cushions are placed symmetrically in a plus shape to allow airflow and reduce heat and humidity buildup. A stretched or flattened headband changes clamp force, which in turn affects how well the pads seal.

You do not need to replace everything at once. Pads wear faster than headbands because they contact skin and hair daily. Replace pads when the foam no longer springs back, when the covering flakes, or when you notice a channel imbalance that reseating does not fix. Leave the headband alone unless the leather is cracked or the fit has become noticeably loose.

• Replace pads when foam stops springing back or the cover flakes.
• Check clamp force if a new pad still will not seal.

Step-by-step pad swap

1. Confirm your model and pad type: Identify whether you own a 99 Classics (first gen), 99 Classics 2nd Gen, 99 NEO, Liric, Empyrean, Empyrean II or Elite. Match the pad accordingly: 99 SERIES EAR PADS for the first-gen 99 Classics and 99 NEO, ANGLED ALCANTARA EAR PADS for Empyrean, Empyrean II and Elite, and LIRIC EAR PADS for the Liric. Checkpoint: if the model name is unclear, stop and verify before ordering or fitting.
2. Remove the old pad by hand: Grip the pad edge at the seam and peel the lip out of the groove, working around the cup with your fingertips. Do not use metal tools. Common mistake: pulling from the center of the pad, which tears the foam and can bend the lip.
3. Clean and inspect the groove: Wipe dust or residue from the groove and check for any damage. The Liric ear pad kit includes an alcohol wipe for this step. Checkpoint: a clean groove lets the new lip seat fully and evenly.
4. Orient the new pad correctly: Test-fit asymmetric pads before pressing. The Angled Alcantara pads have a front and back, and the Liric pads have air vents that must line up with the cup chamber. Common mistake: forcing a pad in the wrong orientation, which leaves a gap and weakens bass.
5. Seat the lip around the cup: Press the lip into the groove a section at a time, working around the circumference until it is fully seated. You should feel it lock in rather than slide. Checkpoint: run a finger around the edge to confirm no pinched material or lifted sections.
6. Test the seal and comfort: Listen at low volume and compare both sides. Reseat if one side sounds thinner or feels loose. Allow a few hours for memory foam to conform. Next step: if the seal still fails, inspect headband clamp force, especially on the Liric.

Meze pad and part facts

• 99 SERIES EAR PADS: Compatible with 99 Classics Walnut Gold, 99 Classics Walnut Silver and 99 NEO, but not compatible with the 99 Classics 2nd Gen. Standard and small sizes use soft PU leather with medium-density memory foam. Buy the correct generation and size, or the pad will not seat properly and the seal will suffer.
• ANGLED ALCANTARA EAR PADS: Compatible with Empyrean, Empyrean II and Elite. The angled shape creates more space inside the pad, which translates to an airier sound signature with cleaner bass and improved mid-range presence. Made of soft foam coated with Alcantara and a fine protective mesh. Choose these if you want a more open, airy presentation and a roomier feel around the ear.
• LIRIC EAR PADS: Standard Liric ear pads made of high-grade memory foam with a PU leather exterior, with precision-cut air vents that run from the ear cup chamber into the pads. The kit includes one pair of pads and an alcohol wipe. The vents must align with the cup chamber, so orientation matters during fitting. The included wipe helps clean the cup before installation.
• LIRIC HEADBAND KIT: Includes a leather headband with Liric engraving, a steel spring band and six M2 x 10mm T6 Torx screws. Padded cushions are placed symmetrically in a plus shape to allow proper airflow and lower heat and humidity buildup. A worn headband affects clamp force and therefore pad seal, so replace it if the fit has become loose.

Swapping Meze ear pads is a quick, tool-free job once you match the pad to your exact model. Take your time on removal and orientation, reseat until the lip sits flush, and give the foam a few hours to settle. If the seal still feels off, check the headband before assuming the pad is wrong.