Headphone Longevity

[A_T_O_M_I_C_Rooster]

Anybody have any ideas on how long different headphone technologies last? Like Planar Magnetic, Electrostatic, etc?

 

[Nitreb]

Unless you drop them or drive them too hard, they should last many years. The LCD-XC I bought in 2014 still works fine. The only thing I had to change were the earpads last year, and the cable which started to have an intermittent contact at the junction with the 6.3mm connector (faulty design IMO).

 

[Dunring]

Ive had used Beyerdynamic models that were 20 years old and sounded just as good as new ones with fresh pads. Avoid moist environments since connectors can corrode. Your more likely to drop them or run over a cord with a computer chair than just wearing out by playing music.
Any pair will last decades if not stored in a moist storage locker, dropped, or played loud enough to blow them.

 

[Killingbeans]

I think the only part of a headphone I haven't experienced failing on me over time is the drivers.

 

[IAtaman]

I think the only part of a headphone I haven't experienced failing on me over time is the drivers.

For dynamics and planars, I agree. But have no experience with ESLs and heard here and there that they are more prone to failure due to high voltages involved. Any truth in that?

 

[DVDdoug]

Like Planar Magnetic, Electrostatic, etc?

All of these basic technologies tend to be very reliable.

Usually the earpads wear out, a cable "goes bad" from flexing over time, or something just gets mechanically broken, etc. A replaceable plug-in cable can be good, but the socket where it plugs-in can also be a weak point.

Koss headphones have a lifetime warranty but there doesn't seem to bee many Koss models rated for top sound quality. I've got a pair of Koss Porta Pro headphones in my laptop bag. They got a "recommended with EQ" rating and they are famous for being good-sounding bargain in their price range.

I also have the AKG K371. They have a reptation for being flimsy but they have good sound quality (with slightly elevated bass), and at the price I'd say you could consider them "disposable' with sound equivalent to headphones costing 2 or 3 times as much, or more. Mine haven't broken but I don't listen to headphones everyday.

 

[TurtlePaul]

I still use my 2006 HD650. Only the pads have needed replacing over the years.

 

[computer-audiophile]

For dynamics and planars, I agree. But have no experience with ESLs and heard here and there that they are more prone to failure due to high voltages involved. Any truth in that?

A long time ago I once had a Jecklin Float ESL. I consider the original version of the JJ Float to be an ingenious design. At the time it came onto the market, its design looked downright futuristic and caused quite a stir in the hi-fi scene. But it only lasted about 10 years, then it was virtually worn out and no longer sounded good.

I found a own photo of my Jecklin Float in my archive:

 

[Berwhale]

I have a pair of Sennheiser PX100 with dynamic drivers that I bought in my teens that still work fine 35 years later.

 

[DonR]

From what I have seen, after the usual cable issues, it is always something on the headband that goes. My Sennheisers (now 12 years old) have gone through 3 cables and had the earpads replaced twice. I had some Samson Studio headphones years ago whose earpads disintegrated within 2 years and the very thin wires to the drivers broke off a little after that. Regardless of technology, implementation seems to hold the biggest key to longevity.

 

[Ron Texas]

The problem I have experienced is the headband covering falling apart on sub $200 cans.

 

[computer-audiophile]

This is a 10 years old picture of my Beyerdynamic DT880 Edition. It looks still as new today and do not show any signs of wear or sound degradation. However, the leatherette bag that came with it has disintegrated in the meantime.

 

[Killingbeans]

For dynamics and planars, I agree. But have no experience with ESLs and heard here and there that they are more prone to failure due to high voltages involved. Any truth in that?

I have no experience either

 

[Plumbus the Wise]

Unless you drop them or drive them too hard, they should last many years. The LCD-XC I bought in 2014 still works fine. The only thing I had to change were the earpads last year, and the cable which started to have an intermittent contact at the junction with the 6.3mm connector (faulty design IMO).

Well if course it does that's not even a decade old.

 

[Sokel]

Is 40 years long enough?



audio technica ATH-M2 orthodynamic

Performance vs reliability/serviceability

Great thread. I think brands which give great reliability and serviceability deserve attention for that. Sennheiser. My favorite headphone was a set of HD545 (I think that was the number). They lasted twenty or thirty years. Comfortable, and I was used to the sound. I went through four or...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[solderdude]

Anybody have any ideas on how long different headphone technologies last? Like Planar Magnetic, Electrostatic, etc?

Electret is usually really poor.
Followed by electrostatic.

Usually pads, headbands, cables, connectors, damping foam give up long before dynamic drivers do.

 

[Plumbus the Wise]

Is 40 years long enough?

View attachment 329546

audio technica ATH-M2 orthodynamic

Performance vs reliability/serviceability

Great thread. I think brands which give great reliability and serviceability deserve attention for that. Sennheiser. My favorite headphone was a set of HD545 (I think that was the number). They lasted twenty or thirty years. Comfortable, and I was used to the sound. I went through four or...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Unfortunately the cutoff is 50

 

[Sokel]

Unfortunately the cutoff is 50

I would say even more than that!There are some mods around but i don't touch them.

It's my youth in there,countless songs,lessons,etc.
I have the LCD-X for lower. (but they don't automatically carry me to those years as these do )