We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-20 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want one set of replacement pads that fits a long list of specific Sony and JBL headphones, choose XANAD Replacement Ear Pads; if you need a straightforward protein-leather pad set for a Pro noise-canceling headset with a bit of fit and finish attention, choose Semme Comfortable Protein Leather. That's the short version. The longer version matters because these two products look similar in a photo and behave very differently the moment you actually try to match them to your headphones.
• XANAD Replacement Ear Pads — biggest strength: an unusually specific compatibility list. It names Sony WH-CH520/CH510, MDR-ZX110, ZX110/ZX110NC/ZX220/XB200/ZX300/ZX330BT, the MDR-V100 through V400 line, plus a stack of JBL models like Tune 510BT/520BT/570BT/660NC, Live 460NC/670NC, and JR310BT/JR300BT.
• XANAD Replacement Ear Pads — biggest trade-off: that long list is also the catch. XANAD itself tells you to read the dimensions carefully before buying, and the package is pads only — no headphones.
• Semme Comfortable Protein Leather — biggest strength: a simple, focused build around protein leather and soft sponge, aimed at a Pro noise-canceling headset, with a 90-day manufacturer warranty.
• Semme Comfortable Protein Leather — biggest trade-off: the compatibility description is narrow and generic. It says "Pro noise canceling headset" and doesn't enumerate model numbers the way XANAD does.
• Who each pick is for: XANAD is for the tinkerer with a known Sony or JBL model who wants a documented fit. Semme is for the Pro noise-canceling headset owner who wants a clean, tool-free pad swap.
The XANAD set is, first and foremost, a fit-first product. The headline feature isn't the material — it's the list of headphones it claims to work with. That list is genuinely long: the Sony WH-CH520 and CH510, the MDR-ZX110 family including the ZX110NC, the ZX220, XB200, ZX300 and ZX330BT, the MDR-V100/V150/V200/V250/V300/V400 line, and on the JBL side the Tune 510BT, 520BT, 570BT, 660NC, the Live 460NC and 670NC, and the JR310BT and JR300BT. If you own one of those, you're the target buyer. XANAD is effectively saying: we've done the homework on which oval these pads sit on.
Build-wise, the pads use memory foam wrapped in faux leather, with the stated goal of being ear-friendly, compact and lightweight. That's a sensible combination for daily wear — memory foam tends to conform to the shape of your ear over a few minutes, and faux leather is a practical outer skin for something that rubs against hair and skin all day. The kit includes two pads and a step-by-step instruction manual, and XANAD explicitly walks you through the process: pull the old pads off, then install the new ones. That manual matters more than it sounds, because pad replacement on this class of headphone is fiddly the first time.
Who should skip it? Anyone whose headphone model isn't on that list. XANAD is blunt about it — read the dimensions before you buy. If your model number isn't there and you can't confirm the measurements, don't gamble. Also skip it if you expect headphones in the box. You get pads. Nothing else.
Semme's pitch is narrower and simpler. These pads are built from protein leather and soft sponge, positioned around comfort for long sessions — the kind of sitting where you're three podcasts deep and don't want your ears hot and sore. Protein leather is a common choice here because it feels softer and slightly more premium against the skin than basic vinyl, and the soft sponge backing is there to keep clamp pressure tolerable over hours rather than minutes.
The second pillar is noise isolation. Semme frames these pads as a way to block outside distractions and keep you immersed in what you're listening to. That's a realistic claim for a well-sealed pad on a noise-canceling headset — the pad is the physical seal, and a tired, flattened original pad is usually the reason ANC starts feeling weak. Swapping in fresh pads restores that seal and, with it, a good chunk of the isolation you remember.
Installation is the third selling point, and it's the least fussy part of the whole thing: no tools, pop the worn pads off, snap the new ones on. Semme also backs the product with a 90-day manufacturer warranty, which is a modest but real safety net if a seam or the leather surface fails early.
Who should skip it? Anyone who needs a documented model match. Semme says these are designed for the Pro noise-canceling headset and doesn't publish a long compatibility table, so if you're not confident your headset is the intended one, that's a genuine risk. And if you specifically need pads for one of the Sony or JBL models on XANAD's list, XANAD is the more defensible choice.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for a documented model match → XANAD Replacement Ear Pads. It names your Sony or JBL model instead of asking you to guess.
• Best for long listening sessions with a softer skin feel → Semme Comfortable Protein Leather. Protein leather plus soft sponge is aimed squarely at comfort over hours.
• Best for restoring ANC isolation on a worn headset → Semme Comfortable Protein Leather. Fresh pads rebuild the physical seal that noise isolation depends on.
• Best for a broad multi-headphone household → XANAD Replacement Ear Pads. One listing covers a wide spread of Sony and JBL models.
• Best for tool-free, snap-on installation → Semme Comfortable Protein Leather. No tools required, per Semme's own description.
• Best for buyers who want a written warranty → Semme Comfortable Protein Leather. It carries a 90-day manufacturer warranty; XANAD's listing states no warranty.
• Best for anyone whose model isn't listed → neither, until you measure. Both product pages tell you fit is the deciding factor.
In my opinion, the safer buy for most people is the XANAD Replacement Ear Pads — not because the materials are better, but because XANAD tells you exactly which headphones these fit, and fit is the only thing that really matters with replacement pads. If your model is on that list, you've removed the guesswork.
I'd recommend the Semme Comfortable Protein Leather instead if you own a Pro noise-canceling headset, want the softer protein-leather feel for marathon listening sessions, and value the 90-day manufacturer warranty. Just confirm your headset matches before you commit.
FAQ
No. Semme describes them as designed specifically for a Pro noise-canceling headset, and the listing doesn't publish a broad model list. That's the main limitation to weigh against the protein-leather comfort and easy snap-on installation.
Semme leans into noise isolation as a core feature, and a fresh, well-sealed pad genuinely helps a noise-canceling headset perform the way it should. XANAD focuses on fit and everyday comfort rather than isolation claims, so for a Pro noise-canceling headset, Semme is the more on-target pick.
Neither includes headphones — XANAD ships two pads and an instruction manual, and notes the headphone isn't included. Semme ships two pads and includes a 90-day manufacturer warranty. XANAD's listing states no warranty. For current pricing on either set, check the price on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.