How to Install Grado Headphone Replacement Cushions on Your RS1

Quick answer

To install replacement cushions on your Grado RS1, work slowly and evenly: stretch the cushion's inner lip over the earcup rim a little at a time, then check that the seam sits flat all the way around. Never force one side down completely before the rest is started, and never use sharp tools that can nick the foam or the cup.

Grado RS1 cushions are designed to be user-replaceable, but the fit is deliberately snug. That snugness is what keeps the pad from sliding off during listening, and it is also the reason a rushed install can stretch or tear the foam. The process is straightforward once you know where to apply pressure and where to stop.

This guide walks through the full replacement sequence, from checking the new cushions to a final comfort and seal check. It applies to the standard RS1 cushion style; if your RS1 uses a different pad type, confirm the cushion is intended for your model before starting. The same slow, even technique protects the headband and the earcup finish.

What you need before you start

You need the replacement cushions, clean hands, and a soft, lint-free cloth. A small amount of mild soap and water is useful if the earcups need a wipe before the new pads go on. Avoid alcohol, solvents, or abrasive cleaners on the cup and headband, since these can dull the finish or dry out the foam over time.

Work at a table with good light and a clean surface. If you wear rings or a watch, remove them so they cannot catch the foam. Set the old cushions aside rather than tossing them immediately: comparing the old and new pads side by side confirms you have the correct replacement before you commit to the install.

• Checkpoint: confirm the new cushions match the old ones in shape and inner-lip depth before removing anything.
• Common mistake: starting the install with dirty hands or on a cluttered surface, which transfers oil or debris to the foam.

Remove the old cushions carefully

Grip the old cushion near the rim and peel it away from the earcup gradually, working around the circle rather than pulling from one point. The goal is to release the lip without bending the cup or stressing the headband. If the foam is brittle or stuck, warm it slightly with your hands and continue peeling in small increments.

Once the cushion is off, inspect the earcup rim for old foam residue or dust. Wipe it with the dry cloth, and use a barely damp cloth only if needed. Let the surface dry completely before fitting the new cushion, because moisture trapped under the foam can encourage mildew and weaken the adhesive-free grip.

• Checkpoint: the earcup rim should be clean, dry, and free of leftover foam fragments.
• Common mistake: yanking the old pad off in one pull, which can bend the rim or crack aged foam.

Fit the new cushion evenly around the rim

Start by seating one small section of the inner lip over the earcup rim. Then move to the opposite side and seat a matching section, so the cushion is anchored at two points instead of one. Continue working around the circle in small increments, alternating sides, until the lip is fully over the rim. This even tension is the key to a clean fit.

Resist the urge to press the whole cushion down at once. If the lip feels too tight, stretch it gently with your fingers before seating it, not after. A cushion that goes on with moderate, even pressure will stay put; one that requires force is more likely to tear at the lip or deform permanently.

• Checkpoint: the cushion should sit level, with no bunching or twisted sections.
• Common mistake: seating one side fully before starting the other, which stretches the foam unevenly.

Check the seal and adjust for comfort

Once the cushion is on, run a finger around the seam to confirm the lip is fully seated and the foam is not folded under itself. Put the headphones on and listen briefly. A correct fit should feel secure without excessive clamping, and the sound should be balanced between both sides. If one side sounds different, the cushion may not be seated evenly.

Give the foam a few hours to settle before judging comfort. New cushions often feel slightly firmer at first and soften with use. If a pad still feels wrong after settling, remove it and reseat it rather than bending the headband to compensate, since headband adjustments are harder to reverse.

• Checkpoint: both cushions should look and feel identical when worn.
• Common mistake: bending the headband to fix a comfort issue that is actually caused by a mis-seated cushion.

RS1 cushion install steps

1. Prepare your workspace: Clear a table, wash and dry your hands, and remove rings or watches. Set the new cushions next to the headphones so you can compare them with the old ones before starting. Checkpoint: new cushions match the old pads in shape and lip depth.
2. Peel off the old cushion: Work around the rim in small increments, releasing the lip gradually. Do not pull from a single point or use tools that could scratch the cup. Checkpoint: earcup rim is clean, dry, and undamaged.
3. Seat the new cushion at two points: Press one small section of the inner lip over the rim, then seat the opposite section. This anchors the cushion evenly before you continue. Checkpoint: two opposite points are seated before you work around the rest.
4. Work around the rim in small increments: Alternate sides as you seat the lip, keeping tension even. If the lip feels too tight, stretch it gently with your fingers rather than forcing it down. Checkpoint: no bunching, twisting, or folded foam under the lip.
5. Verify the seal and comfort: Run a finger around the seam, then wear the headphones briefly. Both sides should feel and sound balanced. Let the foam settle for a few hours before judging comfort. Checkpoint: reseat the cushion if one side feels different, rather than adjusting the headband.

Product facts

• SR80: The SR80 is a Grado headphone model listed at USD 87.50 (catalog comparison price USD 175.00). If you also own an SR80, the same slow, even cushion-fitting technique applies, though you should always confirm the cushion style matches your specific model.
• GS3000: The GS3000 is a Grado headphone model listed at USD 997.50 (catalog comparison price USD 1995.00) and is available with connector options. The GS3000 sits in Grado's higher tiers, so if you are fitting cushions on a premium model like this, take extra care not to stress the cup or headband during the install.

A careful, even install is the difference between cushions that stay put and foam that stretches out early. Take the extra few minutes, confirm the fit by feel and by ear, and your RS1 pads will sit correctly for the life of the cushion.