How Durable Are Sennheiser Headphones? (With Examples)

Are Sennheiser headphones built to last?

This would be a good question, considering the reputation of the brand. We’ve looked at the most seen problems with Sennheiser headphones.

So, how durable are Sennheiser headphones?

About the Durability of Sennheiser Headphones:

Sennheiser headphones are rather durable and are designed for daily usage. The mileage you can get from these headphones varies. That’s why it’s best to get headphones that fit your lifestyle or the common application.

How Long do Sennheiser Headphones Normally Last?

Sennheiser headphones have a lifespan that lasts anywhere between 5 – 10 years under heavy usage.

These would apply to their wired headphones and are under proper care.

The wireless headphones of Sennheiser won’t last as long due to the battery deteriorating.

You can still use them, but they would drain faster.

Do they Last as Long as Other Headphones?

Sennheiser has a relatively good lifespan, although some models may not last as long due to the design-build.

When pitted against other top brands, Sennheiser has a fair chance for durability as a whole.

When it comes to entry-level/budget brands, it depends on the design of the build if they will last as long as durable budget models.

To help understand this point, a Takstar Pro 82 would have better chances of surviving the daily commute with its swivel cups and detachable cable than a Sennheiser HD202, which features non-detachable cables.

What Typically Breaks First on Sennheiser Headphones?

The most common stress point for headphones would be the cables.

These get tangled and sometimes tugged during movement.

For those who store their phones in their pockets or bags while listening, the plugs also get damaged due to the stress during movement. Another weak point would be the headband of the headphones.

That’s why it’s recommended to get headphones that have metal headbands.

How Long is the Warranty on Sennheiser Headphones?

Sennheiser provides limited 24-month warranty coverage for its headphones.

What Exactly Does the Warranty Cover?

Warranty coverage is for any manufacturing defects that may occur during the 24 months.

This does not include coverage for any misuse of the product or any obvious wearing from regular use.

That’s why regular maintenance and proper care must be exercised to avoid nullifying the warranty.

Do Sennheiser Headphones Need Maintenance from the Owner?

Maintenance is very important for Sennheiser and any other headphone brand, for that matter.

Being able to provide adequate care for your headphones has its benefits.

First, you get to protect your headphones from any damage that can invalidate your warranty.

Second, you get to prolong its life so that it can last you years. In some cases, proper care slows down any deterioration, including battery life for wireless headphones.

Third, proper care also ensures smooth operation and maintains sound quality.

Lastly, you get to maintain a good resale value of your headphones, especially if you plan to sell them later.

How Do you Care for Your Headphones?

Considering all the advantages of proper care and maintenance of your headphones, here are some tips for maintaining them.

Not only do these tips cover cleanup and storage, but usage as well.

Regularly Clean your Headphones

Headphones can be dirt magnets at some point. 

If you use them outdoor, you’re likely to accumulate dust on them.

In some instances, they get dirty when you sweat, especially in humid environments. In case you don’t know, sweat can damage the faux leather used on headphones’ earpads. 

Here’s how you clean your headphones:

• Wipe your headphones after use, ideally with a soft cloth that’s dampened with alcohol or hand sanitizer.
• For those using earbuds or in-ears, avoid letting others them, as both of you may transmit dirt to each other.
• Brush off any dirt on the drivers
• Clean the jack by spraying with compressed air, or use a thin paper clip with double-sided tape to collect any particles.

Properly Store Headphone Cables 

This is very important for those using wired connections with headphones. 

While it’s easy to swap out cables when they get damaged, in the long run, you create more waste, and headphones with high resale value tend to deprecate without the stock cable. 

If you’re using in-ears or wired earbuds, having a broken cable can render them useless.

Here are tips to protect your cables:

• Don’t store them in your pocket, especially if you wear tight clothing. The wires inside may break when pressure is applied when moving.
• Avoid dangling the wires, as these also put pressure on the internal wires, especially when bent at an angle.
• Ensure your cables are not tangled, as untangling them may also cause pressure to the wires inside.
• Pull out the plug and not the cable.
• Please don’t leave your headphones plugged in, as they can damage the spring inside the jack.
• In relation, coil your cables properly when storing them. You can check this guide to help you wrap your cables.

Provide Your Headphones with an Adequate Storage 

Your headphones need to have sufficient storage, especially if you go out with them. 

While they can fit in your backpack or sling bag, these were not designed to store your headphones properly. 

You need to have storage that can cushion them from pressure or possible drops when you move around. 

The right headphones storage should fit your headphones properly. That means nothing too loose or tight that can damage your headphones. 

Replace Headphone Pads Now and Then

Headphone pads are prone to wear, no matter what you do. 

That’s why it was emphasized that they need to be cleaned regularly. 

That said, you need to replace them when wearing starts kicking in, which usually begins when flaking appears. 

As much as possible, get earpad replacements designed for your headphones to get the same comfort. 

Avoid Moisture and Humid Environments

Moisture and humid environments can corrode the metal components of your headphones. At the same time, your sweat can also stain and destroy earpads. 

While the best way to deal with this is to stay away from humid environments, the next best thing to do is put silica gel desiccant in your headphone storage to absorb moisture. 

If you’re looking to invest in headphones, try getting headphones designed for sports and workouts. 

These headphones were designed with better resistance to liquids or wet environments. A good example of these would be the Momentum 2 True Wireless headphones. 

Set the Volume and EQ Levels Properly

The speakers of your headphones vibrate as it produces sound.

When the volume is higher, the more the speakers vibrate, which makes them at risk for damage, and of course, louder volumes can also damage your hearing. 

That’s why it’s important to adjust volumes and frequencies to ensure the durability of your headphones. 

Here are some points to consider:

• Mute the volume when plugging and unplugging your headphones to avoid any popping sound that can damage your headphone speakers.
• Set the volume at the right level, and avoid letting the volume meter hit the red. 
• Don’t use the bass boost a lot, as heavy bass frequencies can damage your headphones, especially those not designed to accentuate the bass frequencies.

Know When to Charge your Headphones

If you are using any of Sennheiser’s wireless headphones, be sure to know when to charge them:

• Ideally, it would be best if you didn’t wait for them to drain completely.
• Please don’t leave them charging inside your car while parked under direct sunlight.
• Try charging them at the same time with your phone, so they’re both ready to use at the same time.

What Are the Best Sennheiser Headphones?

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless

For those who want a good pair of headphones that boast superb noise-canceling, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless might be the one for you.

The Momentum 3 features thick leather pads that are comfortable and provide a layer of noise isolation. If you’re saving on battery power by turning off the noise cancellation, then the thick leather pads can compensate.

The controls on the earcups are quite convenient to use. The Momentum 3 also features active noise canceling, which is much welcome for those who need a good pair of headphones for video calls or focused listening.

The sound quality is quite full but maintains clarity. There’s a good balance of frequencies, but not flat. The bass frequency, in particular, has a good amount of depth to it.

The Momentum 3 collapses easily if you need to take it with you on the road. It features USB-C for charging, so it’s a good option for those already using this standard.

Now, for its weaknesses:

• The battery life isn’t as long as other headphones in the market, at 17 hours.
• It’s more expensive than other headphones in the market, but you get compensated for the quality.

Sennheiser HD 450BT

For those looking for long-lasting battery life, the Sennheiser HD 450BT will keep the music going for hours without charging.

The HD 450BT features a 30-hour battery life and low latency, thanks to the aptX codec support.

The sound quality is also good on this one. You’re likely to use it out of the box, as the frequencies of these headphones are already spot on.

While these headphones have a balanced sound quality, it might be too much in the low end for some users, especially with songs that have a strong emphasis on the bass.

On top of that, the control layout on these headphones is not as intuitive as other models in the market.

Sennheiser HD 820

For those wanting a pair of headphones that would be used indoor, the HD 820 of Sennheiser would be a perfect choice.

Designed for use with home hi-fi systems, the HD 820 feature a closed-back system. The sound quality is quite full, and you’d enjoy the premium feel of these headphones.

These headphones were designed for comfort and long use and will last you years of daily use. Additionally, these headphones have a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass, which is used on higher-end smartphones.

The downside to these headphones is their price and their lack of a wireless connection. There’s also no 3.5mm connection as it uses the 6.25 mm plug. You will need a converter for these headphones.

Sennheiser HD201

For those on a budget, the Sennheiser HD 201 is quite good, considering the price.

These headphones are straight to the point to use. Just plug them into your device, play the music and enjoy the sonic landscape these headphones design for you.

Construction is quite good, but you only need to be careful with all plastic parts that move to prevent damage.

There aren’t many features on these headphones, such as Bluetooth and noise canceling. There isn’t even a remote control that you can use with these headphones.

The cable isn’t detachable, which means they need to put extra care on these headphones.

But for the price you pay, it isn’t bad at all. It’s a good choice for those who need extra headphones for the office or just something to play music while not minding it from breaking.

Sennheiser PXC 550

For the frequent traveler, the Sennheiser PXC 550 makes the perfect companion for long trips.

The PXC 550 features superb noise-canceling, making it ideal for long flights and the perfect choice for business travelers. The noise-canceling features two levels that maintain superb sound quality.

Since these are for travelers, the PXC 550 collapses into a more compact form for storage in its case. It also features wireless connectivity, so that reduces the number of things to bring.

For its weakness, the PXC 550 tends to have a rich bass voicing that may not work for everyone.

Sources:

Sennheiser Warranty

A Quick Guide on How to Take Care of Headphones

Best Sennheiser headphones: brilliant headphones for every style and budget