Looking to make a lifetime purchase of a high-end headphone, extreme durability required

[Asleep_Cicada8324]

I'm looking to spend up to 4-5k on a endgame-tier high-end headphone. I have some unique criteria in that I need it to be durable enough to fall asleep with it on and not have any damage happen whatsoever even cosmetic from it falling off the bed onto a wooden floor or twisted up, rolled over on if it slips off my head, whatever may happen while I'm asleep. Tired of babying my stuff and I prefer to listen while drifting off to sleep.

The Apple headphones actually kind of fit this description but they are too tight on my head and I don't like the sound honestly. Also the aluminum cups will get scratched up just because they're aluminum the softest metal known to man that people make stuff with.

I already excluded the Sennheiser HD 800 because I heard it gets a lot of paint chips flaking off and the cables can get pulled out of the socket. It's also plastic even if it's the high-end stuff. Same goes for Focal or whatever because I heard those are known to fall apart.

Basically if I'm paying this much I'd prefer not to have to do any babying at all so nothing plastic or whatever with a soft finish. I like to listen when I'm going to sleep but taking something off and carefully putting it back where it should go wakes me right back up. I'm also not rich enough that I can just end up with dented ugly stuff and not feel bad about it. I figure for a few thousand someone has solved this issue but I don't have any stores near me that stock a bunch of quality headphones so I can't try everything out at once.

Can also be IEM or whatever if it can handle it and nothing else fits but I'd like headphones that go over the ear for comfort.

 

[JeffS7444]

I figure for a few thousand someone has solved this issue

I wouldn't bet on it

Try looking instead at pro headphones like Fostex T50 RP Mk [something or other]: Thick plastic, beefy metal bars, molded headphone cable can be replaced in a matter of seconds if need be. My Mk IIs suffered from too-shallow ear pads, which didn't allow for a good seal, hence the popular mod of replacing stock pads with deeper ones from Shure headphones. But I think subsequent generations may have addressed this. Sonics w/o equalization are pretty good, if a little bass-shy. But a bit of eq got mine conforming very nicely to the Harman Int'l target frequency response.

And don't automatically dismiss IEMs and headphones in the 50-150 USD price range! In the past 18 months or so, we've seen a number of superb performers: Not just "good for the money" or "giant killers", but good, period. And we've also seen a renaissance in headphone amplification with DSP functionality (typically parametric equalization, sometimes crossfeed too). You may have trouble wrapping your head around the notion of true "end-game" sound for less than a couple of hundred bucks, but it's real, and it's pretty freaking awesome.

 

[theREALdotnet]

The Apple headphones actually kind of fit this description but they are too tight on my head and I don't like the sound honestly. Also the aluminum cups will get scratched up just because they're aluminum the softest metal known to man that people make stuff with.

Stuff like airplanes

It’s actually an engineered alloy that is quite strong for its weight. The surface though is made from one of the hardest materials known to man – aluminium oxide. It is a rather thin layer, so if something applies enough force it can break through it and gouge the much softer alloy underneath.

Frankly, I think you’d be better off spending quite a bit less and going for cans that have proven their endurance in rough daily studio use. If you don’t like the cosmetic appearance anymore, buy a new pair. You’ll get quite a few for $4-5k.

 

[Audiofire]

aluminum the softest metal known to man that people make stuff with

Copper joined the chat.

Vehicle joined the chat.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Can also be IEM or whatever if it can handle it and nothing else fits but I'd like headphones that go over the ear for comfort

In my experience, IEMs are far better in this context. Very high quality can be had for less than 50.

 

[Mr Swing King]

You are not going to find a headphone better suited for the bed just because you throw more money at it. The more money you spend the heavier most headphones tend to get.
Iems are the way to go if you’re planning on falling asleep to music.
I honestly can’t think of a headphone that won’t break/bend/distort/etc if you end up using it as a pillow.

 

[restorer-john]

The entire concept of wanting to fall asleep with headphones on your head is rather strange. Explain?

 

[Chester]

In the world of headphones, as you go up the cost ladder, you tend to get more exotic materials and more perceived luxury. Cost doesn’t correlate with rugged durability too much.

I would guess the hardiest headphone with good sound quality will be nowhere near $4k but sounds like you’ve set your mind on spending that sort of cash now.

 

[Audiofire]

Explain?

"Avoid headphones at bedtime because they’re uncomfortable to wear and will disturb sleep. At worst, you risk damaging the ear canal, permanently impacting your hearing."

Is It Good or Bad To Sleep With Music On?

Music can block external sounds, including snoring partners, noisy neighbors, and road traffic. Relaxing music that unfolds at 60 beats per minute matches your sleeping heart rate, encouraging the body […]

www.sleepbubble.com

So... yeah.

 

[Dunring]

Buy five pairs of the Moondrop Chu II and you can fall asleep with them and drop them on the floor with plenty of spares for under $100.
No headphones can take being dropped on a hard floor with a guarantee it's not going to break. There's the Asurion Amazon extended warranty the protects against drops and broken items you buy there.

 

[Graham849]

Buy five pairs of the Moondrop Chu II and you can fall asleep with them and drop them on the floor with plenty of spares for under $100.
No headphones can take being dropped on a hard floor with a guarantee it's not going to break. There's the Asurion Amazon extended warranty the protects against drops and broken items you buy there.

Actually buy 100 pairs, and that's a lifetime purchase. Under budget too!

 

[Asleep_Cicada8324]

Thanks for the replies and discussion all. This is the only site where I could register and ask this question without an arbitrarily decided waiting period. Hard to find these days apparently like an entry-level job that doesn't require lengthy priors.

Anyway these are all great suggestions. I was looking for something more like the Apple form factor with a bit of a higher-end sound. Form fitting close to the head without unnecessary protrusions but also primarily dimensional metallic structure for durability. The cups I guess if they aren't made of a more exotic alloy could have some plastic applied to it for protection. And also that the Apple set doesn't fit my head even at the max headband setting. Unfortunately the closest I can find so far is this pair from Audio-Technica in titanium cups but it has what look like plasticky hinges. As far as I can tell the titanium is there to be luxurious like their similar headphones with wood for cups.

So maybe this just isn't an avenue that has been explored by most companies in the high-end sphere who are making art pieces and luxury items, some with high performance. A sports car I expect to have to take care of but I am looking for a tank.

Yes, I can always go the route where I buy something expendable and end up trashing it.

The entire concept of wanting to fall asleep with headphones on your head is rather strange. Explain?

I listen to relax and relax when listening so doing that before a nap or sleeping is the best time for me. Up to now I've would've always done the normal thing which is to take care of my property and put everything in its place but that necessarily wakes me up so I'm searching for something that can survive that. If it can, I figure the cost over time will still be lower than having to deal with broken junk all the time.

And don't automatically dismiss IEMs and headphones in the 50-150 USD price range! In the past 18 months or so, we've seen a number of superb performers: Not just "good for the money" or "giant killers", but good, period. And we've also seen a renaissance in headphone amplification with DSP functionality (typically parametric equalization, sometimes crossfeed too). You may have trouble wrapping your head around the notion of true "end-game" sound for less than a couple of hundred bucks, but it's real, and it's pretty freaking awesome.

Buy five pairs of the Moondrop Chu II and you can fall asleep with them and drop them on the floor with plenty of spares for under $100.
No headphones can take being dropped on a hard floor with a guarantee it's not going to break. There's the Asurion Amazon extended warranty the protects against drops and broken items you buy there.

In my experience, IEMs are far better in this context. Very high quality can be had for less than 50.

Right the IEM route is a good backup but I do like headphone sound and keeping things out of my ear. Better the headphone takes damage than my ear canal for sure. It may be that I have to look for a good one of these but I see even stuff in the high-end like Sennheiser's IE600 is plagued with poor connectors. Quality is very hard to find these days if one is uniquely demanding.

In the world of headphones, as you go up the cost ladder, you tend to get more exotic materials and more perceived luxury. Cost doesn’t correlate with rugged durability too much.

I would guess the hardiest headphone with good sound quality will be nowhere near $4k but sounds like you’ve set your mind on spending that sort of cash now.

Well as others have said for the budget I can end up with any number of throwaway devices for a lifetime instead but quality does feel good rather than having an ever-growing pile of junk. It doesn't seem to correlate with cost though I agree since most are looking for luxury at that price bracket.

You are not going to find a headphone better suited for the bed just because you throw more money at it. The more money you spend the heavier most headphones tend to get.
Iems are the way to go if you’re planning on falling asleep to music.
I honestly can’t think of a headphone that won’t break/bend/distort/etc if you end up using it as a pillow.

Yeah, I may have to give up. A good-sounding headphone that I can use as a pillow was pretty much what I was looking for so thanks for understanding my admittedly loopy goals.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Right the IEM route is a good backup but I do like headphone sound and keeping things out of my ear. Better the headphone takes damage than my ear canal for sure. It may be that I have to look for a good one of these but I see even stuff in the high-end like Sennheiser's IE600 is plagued with poor connectors. Quality is very hard to find these days if one is uniquely demanding.

For medical reasons I sometimes can only lightly sleep overnight and so listen to music at very low levels using my tiny DAP and Truthclear Zero Blue IEMs. I can comfortably lie on my side as well as on my back and not cause local ear pain. Because of their terrific sound quality at very low levels, the music is very detailed and enjoyable no matter my situation. I recommend trying a few cheap IEMs, they are absolute bargains and have world class audio quality.

 

[Somafunk]

You haven’t mentioned anything regarding the audio/frequency response you are after or what you already own that you like, open back/closed back, that’d be a starting point.

And no need for such expense either, a sennheiser 490 would last a lifetime if treated well or a few years if thrown around. But at that price just buy another if you can’t be arsed to repair

 

[mc.god]

Is sound quality so important when listening for relaxing and falling asleep? I also do this every night, but can't imagine sleeping nor with headphones neither with iems, so i play ambient music from a smartphone to my old basic but decent pc speaker system at very low volume. Obviously it's doable only if you sleep alone so I understand the limitation, but if possible I find it much less prone to disrupt sleeping, waking you up because iem start sore your ears or headphone cable is trying to strangle you
I'd probably find sufficient even a god bluetooth speaker.

 

[DVDdoug]

Koss has a lifetime warranty but not a lot of highly rated (for sound) headphones.

Actually buy 100 pairs...

I was thinking 20 pair of AKG K371's.

I don't know what's pros, but durability is important in studios of all kinds. (A lot a of companies call their headphones "pro" so you can't go by the name.)

 

[Robin L]

Koss has a lifetime warranty but not a lot of highly rated (for sound) headphones.


I was thinking 20 pair of AKG K371's.

I don't know what's pros, but durability is important in studios of all kinds. (A lot a of companies call their headphones "pro" so you can't go by the name.)

AKG K371s are kinda fragile. Sennheiser headphones are more durable and Drop's 6XX is cheap enough and durable enough. I also like some of the 5XX series like the HD 579.

 

[Soria Moria]

Abyss 1266.

 

[Asleep_Cicada8324]

Abyss 1266.

LOL that ones out of my already generous price range. It doesn't look like it breaks easily if at all though.

I guess I will just wait for Apple's 2nd iteration of their headphone and see if they make it fit better for me and slap some plastic covers on it or something if they're still using the aluminum cups. I was not impressed with the sound though maybe I need an iPhone to make it really work properly. Thumbs up for everyone and thanks to all.