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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-03 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Fadmew RS 175/HDR — biggest strength: purpose-built compatibility for Sennheiser RS 175/185/195/165, HDR 175/185/195/165 and TR 175/165/185/195, plus denser memory foam and a leather surface that wipes clean instead of soaking up sweat like the original felt pads.
• Fadmew RS 175/HDR — biggest trade-off: it is a narrow-fit part. If your headphones are not in that Sennheiser list, this set is simply not for you, and the brand is a third-party parts maker rather than the headset manufacturer.
• RDHFTNIHU Protein Leather Earpads — biggest strength: a broad, general-purpose replacement pad with soft memory foam, a tool-free install, and a surface the listing describes as washable, aimed at remote workers, gamers, and commuters.
• RDHFTNIHU Protein Leather Earpads — biggest trade-off: the fit is generic rather than model-specific, so you are trusting the pad to seat correctly on your particular headphones rather than getting a guaranteed match to a named model.
• Who each pick is for: Fadmew for anyone reviving a Sennheiser RS/HDR 175-series headset; RDHFTNIHU for someone refreshing a pair of everyday headphones where exact model matching matters less than comfort and a quick swap.
The Fadmew set is a repair part, and it knows it. Everything about it is aimed at one job: putting a tired Sennheiser RS 175-series headset back into comfortable service without replacing the whole thing. The compatibility list is unusually explicit — RS 175, RS 185, RS 195, RS 165, plus the HDR 175/165/185/195 headphone units and the TR 175/165/185/195 transmitters. If you own one of those, you already know the stock pads are the weak point over time, and this is the direct answer to that.
What the design brings is a material upgrade rather than a sound redesign. The pads are protein leather over memory foam, and the foam is described as denser and slower to spring back than the original. In practice that means a firmer, more consistent seal around the ear, which is where the claimed improvement in isolation comes from — a better seal is what actually blocks outside noise on an over-ear headset, not any electronic change. The leather surface is also the practical win: unlike the felt-like stock pads that absorb sweat and collect lint, these wipe down.
Who should skip it: if your headphones are not on that compatibility list, stop here. There is no universal sizing claim, and a model-specific pad that does not match your cups is useless. Also skip it if you are chasing a sound signature change — the design is explicitly about keeping the existing sound while improving comfort, seal, and appearance. And note the warranty is a 3-month free replacement for quality-related issues, which is a parts-maker warranty, not a headset-maker one.
RDHFTNIHU Protein Leather Earpads: Who It's For
The RDHFTNIHU pads take the opposite approach: instead of matching one headset family, they are positioned as a general refresh kit. Protein leather over soft memory foam, a tool-free installation, and a surface described as washable — the pitch is hygiene and comfort on whatever headphones you happen to own. That is a genuinely useful niche, because most people are not repairing a specific premium headset; they are trying to make a daily pair wearable again.
The functional claims are the usual ones for this category and worth reading plainly. The isolating seal and denser material are said to firm up bass response, which follows from a better seal, and the breathable foam is aimed at preventing heat and moisture buildup during long wear. The listing calls out remote workers, gamers, and audiophiles for extended sessions, and office meetings, commuting, and gym workouts for active use. That is a wide net, and it tells you the design priority is all-day comfort rather than a precise acoustic match to one model.
Who should buy it: if you want a cheap, quick swap that makes a pair of headphones more comfortable and more sanitary to wear, and your headphones are not on a niche compatibility list, this is the flexible option. The toolless install matters here — no prying, no fuss, just pull the old pads and seat the new ones.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for a Sennheiser RS 175/185/195/165 or HDR 175-series headset → Fadmew RS 175/HDR, because it names those models directly and the others do not.
• Best for a generic comfort refresh on unlisted headphones → RDHFTNIHU Protein Leather Earpads, since it is not tied to one model family.
• Best for sweat and hygiene resistance → Fadmew RS 175/HDR, whose leather surface is described as easy to wipe down versus stock felt that absorbs sweat and lint.
• Best for a fast, no-tools install → RDHFTNIHU Protein Leather Earpads, which explicitly calls out toolless fitting.
• Best for preserving your existing sound → Fadmew RS 175/HDR, since its stated goal is unchanged sound with a better seal.
• Best for bass emphasis from a tighter seal → RDHFTNIHU Protein Leather Earpads, whose listing ties the isolating seal to enhanced bass.
• Best for long work, gaming, or commute sessions → RDHFTNIHU Protein Leather Earpads, aimed at remote workers and gamers with breathable foam.
• Best for the longest stated warranty → Fadmew RS 175/HDR at 3 months versus 90 days for the RDHFTNIHU set, which is effectively the same window.
In my opinion, if there is any chance your headphones are on the Sennheiser RS/HDR 175 list, buy the Fadmew RS 175/HDR. A named compatibility list removes the single biggest risk in buying earpads — that they will not fit — and the memory foam and leather surface are a straightforward upgrade over worn stock pads. I would only go with the RDHFTNIHU set if my headphones were not on that list and I just wanted a comfortable, cheap, tool-free refresh. Different jobs, different picks. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches your headphones before you commit.
They are listed as fitting Sennheiser RS 175, RS 185, RS 195, RS 165, HDR 175, HDR 165, HDR 185, HDR 195, and the TR 175/165/185/195 models. The listing notes TR refers to the transmitter, HDR to the headphones, and RS to the full system. If your model is not named, do not assume it fits.
Fadmew states the sound stays the same and the improvement comes from a better seal, which helps isolation. RDHFTNIHU states its isolating seal enhances bass. Neither claims to retune your drivers, so treat both as comfort-and-seal upgrades, not sound overhauls.
Fadmew's leather surface is described as easy to wipe down and less sweat-prone than the felt-like stock pads. RDHFTNIHU emphasizes breathable foam for extended wear and active use. Both aim at the same problem from slightly different angles.
Fadmew offers a 3-month free replacement for quality-related issues. RDHFTNIHU offers a manufacturer warranty of 90 days from the date of purchase. Practically the same coverage window.
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