We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-06 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want genuine sheepskin and memory foam specifically for Sennheiser HD6-series headphones, choose NewFantasia Sheepskin Ear Pads; if you need a quick, tool-free refresh for a Pro noise-canceling headset, choose Semme Comfortable Protein Leather. These are two very different pads for two very different jobs, and the fit question matters more than anything else in this comparison. The short version: NewFantasia is the specialist pick for wired Sennheiser owners, while Semme is the generalist pick for a noise-canceling headset. I'll break down exactly where each one wins — and which one I'd actually buy if I were shopping for hiking.
• NewFantasia's biggest strength: genuine sheepskin over memory foam in a black finish, built as a direct replacement for a long list of Sennheiser HD models — including HD650, HD600, HD580, HD660S, HD660S2, HD58X, HD565, HD545, and Massdrop HD6XX.
• NewFantasia's biggest trade-off: it only fits that specific Sennheiser family. If your headphones aren't on that list, this pad is simply the wrong shape, no matter how good the material is.
• Semme's biggest strength: protein leather plus soft sponge with a stated focus on noise isolation, positioned as a tool-free snap-on replacement for a Pro noise-canceling headset.
• Semme's biggest trade-off: little is documented beyond that. There's a 90-day manufacturer warranty, but the fit is narrow — one headset family, not a broad range.
• Who NewFantasia is for: Sennheiser HD6-series owners whose stock pads have flattened and who want a sheepskin-and-memory-foam replacement that snaps onto the mounting posts inside the earcups.
• Who Semme is for: owners of a Pro noise-canceling headset who want a fuss-free pad swap and care more about blocking outside noise than about material luxury.
NewFantasia's pitch is simple and specific. These are replacement cushions made from genuine sheepskin leather wrapped around memory foam, sold in a black finish, and sized for Sennheiser's HD6 family. That list is unusually long for a third-party pad: HD650, HD600, HD580, HD660S, HD660S2, HD58X, HD565, HD545, and the Massdrop HD6XX all appear in the compatibility data. If you own one of those, you already know why this matters — the HD6 line is famous for pads that compress and flake over time, and replacing them is the cheapest way to bring an aging pair of headphones back to feeling comfortable.
The materials are the real story. Sheepskin is a softer, more pliable leather than the synthetic covers you find on most stock pads, and pairing it with memory foam means the cushion slowly molds to the shape of your ear instead of fighting it. NewFantasia also claims the pads are easy to install yourself: the cushions line up with the mounting posts inside the earcups and snap into place. That's a genuinely useful detail for anyone who has ever stared at a disassembled headphone wondering which way the pad goes.
Who should buy these? In my opinion, the ideal buyer is someone with a Sennheiser HD600, HD650, HD6XX or similar who wears their headphones for long stretches and wants the ear area to stay comfortable. That includes desk work, long listening sessions, and yes — hiking, where a lightweight open-back Sennheiser and a soft, breathable sheepskin pad make a surprisingly good trail combination. Memory foam that conforms rather than presses is exactly what you want when you're moving.
Who should skip them? Anyone whose headphones aren't on the compatibility list. The dimensions here are small — roughly 3.94 x 1.18 x 0.39 inches — which reflects that these are shaped for a specific earcup, not a universal fit. If you own a random Bluetooth headset, this is not your pad. Also note the package contains one pair of pads only; the headphones themselves are not included.
Semme takes the opposite approach. Instead of targeting one beloved audiophile family, it targets the Pro noise-canceling headset — the kind of over-ear model people use on flights, in open offices, and on commutes. The pads are made from protein leather with soft sponge inside, and the design goal is stated plainly: enhanced noise isolation. Protein leather is a synthetic material, and it's typically chosen because it's durable, wipes clean easily, and creates a tighter seal against the head than fabric — which is precisely how passive noise blocking works.
The second selling point is installation. Semme says no tools are required: you remove the worn-out pads and snap the new ones on. No glue, no prying, no fiddly clips. For anyone who has put off replacing shredded pads because it looked like a project, that's the whole appeal. The package includes two ear pads.
There's also a 90-day manufacturer warranty, which is worth noting because pad replacement is exactly the kind of purchase where you want some recourse if the material disappoints.
Who should buy these? If you own a Pro noise-canceling headset with tired, flaking pads and you mainly care about comfort plus keeping the outside world out, this is a sensible, low-effort fix. It's also the better pick if you want a pad that feels smooth and synthetic rather than soft and leathery, and one you can wipe down after a sweaty session. Podcast listeners, commuters and office workers fit here naturally.
Who should skip them? Anyone with Sennheiser HD6-series headphones — the fit won't be right, and you'd be giving up the sheepskin-and-memory-foam design that makes NewFantasia worth considering. Also skip if you want maximum material quality; protein leather is a synthetic, and the data makes no claim beyond comfort, durability and noise isolation.
• Best for Sennheiser HD6-series owners → NewFantasia Sheepskin Ear Pads (HD650, HD600, HD580, HD660S, HD660S2, HD58X, HD565, HD545, HD6XX).
• Best for a Pro noise-canceling headset → Semme Comfortable Protein Leather.
• Best for long listening sessions → NewFantasia, because sheepskin over memory foam is designed to conform and stay comfortable for hours.
• Best for blocking outside noise → Semme, which is explicitly built around enhanced noise isolation.
• Best for tool-free installation → Semme, which advertises a snap-on, no-tools swap.
• Best for material quality → NewFantasia, in my opinion, since genuine sheepskin and memory foam sit a notch above a protein leather and sponge build.
• Best for a wipe-clean surface → Semme, since synthetic protein leather is the easier material to keep tidy.
• Best for hiking → NewFantasia if your trail headphones are Sennheisers; the soft, conforming pad is the more comfortable choice over a long walk.
If I owned a Sennheiser HD600, HD650, HD6XX or any other model on that compatibility list, I'd buy the NewFantasia Sheepskin Ear Pads. The combination of genuine sheepskin and memory foam is the more premium construction, and it's aimed squarely at headphones people keep for years. For hiking specifically, that soft, conforming cushion is what I'd want on my ears after the third hour. If I instead owned a Pro noise-canceling headset and just wanted the pads replaced without any fuss, I'd buy the Semme pads — tool-free install and a noise-isolation focus fit that use case better. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since pads like these move around. My honest pick for the better overall buy is NewFantasia, but only if it fits your headphones.
FAQ
Sheepskin is a genuine leather, which tends to feel softer and more pliable; protein leather is a synthetic designed for durability and easy cleaning. NewFantasia pairs sheepskin with memory foam, while Semme pairs protein leather with soft sponge.
If your trail headphones are Sennheiser HD6-series, NewFantasia is the better fit because the memory foam conforms to your ear over long sessions. If you hike with a Pro noise-canceling headset, Semme is the matching option.
Neither should be hard. NewFantasia's cushions align with the mounting posts inside the earcups and snap in. Semme states no tools are needed — you remove the old pads and snap the new ones on. The Semme pads also carry a 90-day manufacturer warranty.
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