3 ms·

The big problem is the materials used won't last, even presuming you will replace the earpads and maybe parts of headband. Closest we've come to this is old pa

The big problem is the materials used won't last, even presuming you will replace the earpads and maybe parts of headband. Closest we've come to this is old pairs of Sennheiser HD580. Very high quality plastics, still get scraped and loose over time. Full steel or aluminum construction holds up much better.

lmilcin 6y ago
I have ones that are 19 years old (Beyerdynamic). The materials for the main part of headphones would last probably indefinitely if kept in dark, dry place, undisturbed. On the other hand the foam that is part of the pads lasts months to maybe couple of years depending on use. If you bought ones with leather it will last for many decades IF you know how to take care of leather. If you avoid throwing, dropping or otherwise banging headphones on things, don't come outside in them and don't stretch the headband more than is absolutely necessary to put on your head I estimate they can be maintained practically forever (definitely more than user's lifetime). Maintanence: - keep them clean with dry cloth, - use something to clean/protect leather from drying out, - replace pads maybe every year or two, - replace pads on headband maybe once every 10 years, - disassemble completely to remove hair and other detritus, probably every 5 years - fix the cable that tends to break after prolonged use, I am gentle so maybe once in 7 years. This is history of maintenance of my headphones which I use every day, entire day.
- fsloth 6y ago
  To be honest I've not done any maintenance on my 25y oldish Beyerdynamics beyond jury rigging a fix to the support of the left earpiece which lost a critical small piece of plastic in a minor impact. Yes - the pads could use a replacement but it's not critical. Yes, they are a bit grimy. But work well :)
m463 6y ago
I still have a pair of these (in need of that exact new padding)

lmilcin 6y ago

I have ones that are 19 years old (Beyerdynamic). The materials for the main part of headphones would last probably indefinitely if kept in dark, dry place, undisturbed. On the other hand the foam that is part of the pads lasts months to maybe couple of years depending on use. If you bought ones with leather it will last for many decades IF you know how to take care of leather. If you avoid throwing, dropping or otherwise banging headphones on things, don't come outside in them and don't stretch the headband more than is absolutely necessary to put on your head I estimate they can be maintained practically forever (definitely more than user's lifetime). Maintanence: - keep them clean with dry cloth, - use something to clean/protect leather from drying out, - replace pads maybe every year or two, - replace pads on headband maybe once every 10 years, - disassemble completely to remove hair and other detritus, probably every 5 years - fix the cable that tends to break after prolonged use, I am gentle so maybe once in 7 years. This is history of maintenance of my headphones which I use every day, entire day.

fsloth 6y ago
To be honest I've not done any maintenance on my 25y oldish Beyerdynamics beyond jury rigging a fix to the support of the left earpiece which lost a critical small piece of plastic in a minor impact. Yes - the pads could use a replacement but it's not critical. Yes, they are a bit grimy. But work well :)

m463 6y ago

I still have a pair of these (in need of that exact new padding)