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Topic: How long headphones last? (Read 7851 times) previous topic - next topic
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How long headphones last?

So I have these old Sennheiser HD580s which I like a lot, but the cable began to be intermittent again. And the headband padding is completely flat, and the ear cushions are worn, and the foam covering the transducers is crumbling.

So I can pay $85 to have all these parts shipped to me by Sennehiser. But what are the chances that the transducers, or other vital parts, will die soon? The headphones are probably 10-12 years old.

The alternative is to get new headphones, like Sennheisers 518 or 598, for $120-230. (At this point I don't want to go for another company's headphones, please refrain from suggestions)
Ceterum censeo, there should be an "%is_stop_after_current%".

How long headphones last?

Reply #1 –
I have the same model Sennheiser headphones and I've replaced the cable once; my padding and foam covering needs to be replaced too, my ear cushions are in great shape.

The transducers are just fine - I don't think they typically degrade much over time and wouldn't bother replacing them unless you run into a problem.

BTW, how do you get the padding and foam covers replaced by Sennheiser?  I didn't see those parts available on Sennheiser.com when I searched for HD580 parts.
Was that a 1 or a 0?

How long headphones last?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: DigitalMan on
BTW, how do you get the padding and foam covers replaced by Sennheiser?  I didn't see those parts available on Sennheiser.com when I searched for HD580 parts.



Sometimes their store does not work very well, but I managed to get there.

Go to http://www.sennheiserusa.com/serviceandsupport_part-finder and select HD580-1

You should see three parts: headband cushion, ear cushions+foam inserts, and cable. Sometimes "buy online" opens the page for each part properly, sometimes it does not. But once you get into the store, you can search for parts using catalog numbers:
Ear cushions 050635
Headband padding 052715
Headphone cable 081435
Ceterum censeo, there should be an "%is_stop_after_current%".

How long headphones last?

Reply #3 –
I still regularly use Sehnnheiser HD424's that are well over 30 years old so I wouldn't worry about the transducers.

How long headphones last?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: pawelq on
So I have these old Sennheiser HD580s which I like a lot, but the cable began to be intermittent again. And the headband padding is completely flat, and the ear cushions are worn, and the foam covering the transducers is crumbling.

So I can pay $85 to have all these parts shipped to me by Sennehiser. But what are the chances that the transducers, or other vital parts, will die soon? The headphones are probably 10-12 years old.

The alternative is to get new headphones, like Sennheisers 518 or 598, for $120-230. (At this point I don't want to go for another company's headphones, please refrain from suggestions)


If you want a new pair of headphones in the same sound quality class as HD 580s, you would need to look at HD 600s. Check out the price of the HD 600s and you may revise yur thinking!

I had a pair of 5-6 year old HD580s that I was slowly replacing piecemeal, and I'd still be replacing an occastional broken or worn part every couple of years  quite happily  except that the headphones were stolen by thieves.

How long headphones last?

Reply #5 –
I have a pair of Sony MDR-V6s at work that are at least 12 years old.

I've replaced the ear cushions twice, and while the vinyl covering on the headband is starting to flake a bit, it's not bad.

The cable and connector are in excellent shape, and they sound great, so, as Arnold said, considering the cost of a pair of equivalent new Sennheiser headphones, $85 seems like a sound (ha!) investment.
"Not sure what the question is, but the answer is probably no."

How long headphones last?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: pawelq on
what are the chances that the transducers, or other vital parts, will die soon?
Assuming you're sourcing the audio from a regular headphone jack, the odds are nearly zero. Even cheap speakers rarely break as long as they're not overpowered.
EAC>1)fb2k>LAME3.99 -V 0 --vbr-new>WMP12 2)MAC-Extra High

How long headphones last?

Reply #7 –
They can probably outlive the owner
 

How long headphones last?

Reply #8 –
Thanks! In such case I'll probably spend $85 on the parts and rejuvenate my HD580x, instead of spending $370 for new HD600x, or rather $420 for H650x, because I can't stand the looks of the 600s.
Ceterum censeo, there should be an "%is_stop_after_current%".

How long headphones last?

Reply #9 –
I have a pair of HD414s that are like 35 years old and still sound absolutely fantastic. Wouldn't worry about transducers failing. Sometimes they can sag on large woofers... I had to turn a 10" woofer upside down to relieve a slight rattle... but that was after nearly 20 years of what was probably improper storage. Something small and light like headphones should never be an issue.

How long headphones last?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: pawelq on
So I have these old Sennheiser HD580s which I like a lot, but the cable began to be intermittent again. And the headband padding is completely flat, and the ear cushions are worn, and the foam covering the transducers is crumbling.

So I can pay $85 to have all these parts shipped to me by Sennehiser. But what are the chances that the transducers, or other vital parts, will die soon? The headphones are probably 10-12 years old.

The alternative is to get new headphones, like Sennheisers 518 or 598, for $120-230. (At this point I don't want to go for another company's headphones, please refrain from suggestions)

Hi ! I have a Sennheiser HD 424 since 1977 or 1978, I don`t remember exactly. I`ve changed the cables a few times, the earcushions a couple of times and the headband just broke some four years ago, but the transducers gave up in april this year. I packed the whole thing and put to rest... I guess my next headphone will be a Sennheiser too. I`m thinking about a HD 650 or HD 380 PRO.  Best wishes !

How long headphones last?

Reply #11 –
I had a pair of Koss HV1s for about 30 years, and transducers failed.  Unfortunately, I bought these before Koss started offering a lifetime warranty in 1989.

How long headphones last?

Reply #12 –
Cable intermittency on HD580s and similar cans usually isn't related to the cables themselves but rather the contact springs in the driver units. These get compressed or deformed, esp. when the connectors see a lot of wiggling and strain put onto them. It's a known weakness of the design. HD580s were actually modified to address these issues some time in the '90s.

You can try the HD650 cable which is a bit heavier, but has tighter-fitting connectors.

There is a HD580/HD600 intermittency repair guide with pics somewhere on the web but apparently I never bothered to save a link to the darn thing. Straightening the springs does seem to be possible but many people manage to rip off one of the hair-thin voice coil wires in the process. This is best left to mechanically skilled folks.

How long headphones last?

Reply #13 –
I'm not sure it's possible on HD580 but the black foam inside my HD 490 crumbled to dust so I just replaced it with a similarly thick yellow foam I found in our attic. I also cut a hole in it (which wasn't in the original padding) as the headphone already has attenuated treble and this boosted the sound a bit.
http://martel.ic.cz/pub/hd490.jpg

It still plays fine and is the most comfortable headphone I've ever owned (which is why I still keep using it).