If it comforts, I'm running my third pair of AKGs in 4 years. First 490, then 495 and now N60 NC. First got 490 warranty replaced with 495 and when they broke,

If it comforts, I'm running my third pair of AKGs in 4 years. First 490, then 495 and now N60 NC. First got 490 warranty replaced with 495 and when they broke, bought N60 as I still prefer AKG sound quality over Boses and the NC got much better with this model. In both 490 and 495 the problem wasn't the NC or audio or cabling but the cursed plastics. They just gave up on normal day-to-day use. I did use them really carefully and without any abuse :/