How long should I expect my headphones to last?
In today’s world gadgets of all sorts have come to define the way people live. There is an assortment of mobile devices like smartphones, which people cannot do without. Apart from helping people communicate, mobile devices are a primary source of entertainment. If you have a pair of headphones, you can listen to cool music without interfering with other around you. It is for this reason that many people are willing to spend lots of money, just to get the right sound. The choice of headphones is as wide as the reason one needs them. Whether you have a wireless pair or ear buds, it is important that you know how long they can last. However, this depends on some things including the following:
- The quality of the headphones
When you buy cheap headphones, expect them to last for only a month or two. Quality headphones, on the other hand, are so hardy that you will have them for ten years and more. In fact, poor quality headphones only mean you get poor quality sound. Investing a little bit more in a good pair of headphones ensures you have good quality sound for a long time to come. You don’t even have to go for a premium set of headphones. A medium quality set of headphones that cost less than $100 is much better than a cheaper, low-quality one. Expect to get at least a one-year warranty from the manufacturer of quality headphones. The reason why they guarantee their products is that they believe in the quality. Even if your quality headphones were to be damaged, you can repair them for much less than you would spend replacing a low-quality set.
- The type of care you give them
It doesn’t take a genius to realize that your headphones will last longer if they are taken good care of. One of the things you should do is ensure that you store your headphones properly. You also must take good care of them if you hope to keep using them for a long time to come. One important thing you need to learn is keeping them clean as they tend to take on ear wax. It becomes even more crucial if you have a pair of ear buds. Since you use them by inserting into the ears, they can easily get clogged with ear wax and block you from getting the best sound quality. They are also very fragile and susceptible to tears which may damage them. If taken good care of, ear buds can last a few months or some years. What matters is how good or bad you take care of them. You shouldn’t, therefore expect your headphones to last for long if all you do is neglect to take good care of them.
- The type of headphones
The headphone industry has some products, some which are expected to last for a long time, while others are disposable. The former type of headphones is usually manufactured for use over prolonged periods of time. Favored by individuals who want to have a sturdy pair of headphones for long-term use, they last longer. Disposable headphones are temporary devices that are not expected to last long. Usually, they are for use only one time or several times before they are discarded. As such, a pair of disposable headphones is not expected to last for a long time. They are usually cheap and are bought in bulk to minimize the unit cost. So, while care must be taken to prolong their life, disposable headphones don’t last beyond one year.
- Place and methods of storage
It doesn’t matter how expensive a pair of headphones is. Over time, they still get worn out, no matter what care you give them. However, it’s the cheaper versions of headphones that get worn out very fast. The biggest culprit, in this case, is the cables as users sometimes wind them into tight loops or balls. Although convenient for fitting into the pocket, the tightness can cause undue damage to the internal wiring. Dangling also strains ear buds and earphones causing a lot of harm. Apart from being careful how you handle earphones, the place you store them also matters. If you don’t keep them in a safe place, don’t expect to have them for a long time. Having a protective case where you can keep them should do the trick of prolonging their life.