[Elecraft] Old topic RE: CM500

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Here is what I posted almost a year ago ...

So far both rebuilt sets are holding up as expected.  I have
not had occasion to check if the links given are still valid
- particularly since I picked up enough spares to rebuild both
sets a second time <G>.

I would not recommend the "goop" method as using the correct
cushions the way they were designed is quick, easy and neat.

> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CM 500 Ear Covers - Update
> Date: Sun, 21 May 2023 12:23:30 -0400
> From: Joe Subich, W4TV <lists at subich.com>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> 
> 
> 
> A follow-up ...
> 
> Since I had two pairs of CM-500 that needed refurbishment
> (my original pair - without any cushions - and my current
> pair - that is starting to flake), I took a chance and
> ordered cushions for the Koss QZPRO.
>      <https://koss.com/products/qzpro-ear-cushion>
> They arrived a couple weeks ago and appear to be a perfect
> fit for the CM-500.  I would guess they are the same as the
> suggested UR-20 cushions (which are "Sold Out").
> 
> As the foam was also gone (original pair) or falling apart
> (current pair), I started looking for a suitable replacement
> as I did not want to do a cut up sock and double stick tape
> as suggested in one You Tube video.  I found these:
>     <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WN8SWHR>
> These are 90 mm round and I was able to simply tuck them
> between the QZPRO cushions and the face of the CM-500
> "speakers" after installing the new cushions.  There was
> no need to cut them down to fit the recesses of the CM-500
> and hold them in place using double stick tape.  The foam
> is a bit thicker and softer than the original Yamaha (Koss).
> 
> Finally, and probably not necessary, I added cloth covers ...
>     <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B7JCY8H>
> Although I took a chance and got a spare set of the cushions and
> foam disks for each of my CM-500s, I decided the extra protection
> from sweat, etc. was probably worthwhile for the long term.  I
> went with black but a station with multiple operators could use
> a different color for each operator.
> 
> All in all, replacing the cushions and adding new foam is quite
> easy - no broken speaker wires if one is careful.  Getting to
> the three screws (Phillips #0) is easy once one learns where
> they are (front and +/- 120 degrees).  For $18 total per headset
> for cushions ($5), foam disks ($9) and covers ($8 for 2 pair)
> the cost is far less than an equivalent replacement headset
> (the CM-500 is currently $60 on Amazon).
> 
> 73,
> 
>     ... Joe, W4TV
> 
> 



On 2/14/2024 3:32 PM, Jim Leder wrote:
> I have two Yamaha CM500 headsets that I really like. However, both are suffering from the ear pad deterioration problem. A long time back I saw several postings suggesting replacement ear pads AND the foam inside cover. Naturally now I can't find them. I would like to rebuild at least one of them via the 'goop' (glue) method. Any recommendations for both the ear pad AND the foam inside cover?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jim Leder ... K8CXM