How Durable Are Philips Headphones? (With Examples)

If you’ve been eyeing Philips for your next headphones, one of your considerations would be durability when it comes to usage. We’ve already looked into problems across Philips headphones, now let’s dig deeper.

So, how durable are Philips headphones? 

Here’s What You Need to Know about the Durability of Philips Headphones.

Philips headphones are rather durable, given the quality of components they use. But they do have cheaper headphones that are slightly more brittle. But with a little care, they can last as long as competitors’ headphones.

How Long Do Philips Headphones Normally Last?

The lifespan of Philips headphones depends a lot on how well you take care of them.

The cheap models can last as long as their heavy-duty line when properly taken care of.

We have a whole article dedicated to how durable Philips headphones are.

Do They Last as Long as Other Headphones?

Philips headphones have good durability and can go head to head with other established brands.

After all, they’ve been doing this for quite a while now, which gives them an understanding of the weak points in consumer electronics.

However, they do offer some more fragile headphones, but these are marketed as budget options.

While cheaply made and mostly plastic, the cheaper Philips headphones are still a better option than the knockoffs and those found in bargain bins for $10.

What Typically Breaks First on Philips Headphones?

Generally, the headphone cables break first on Philips headphones.

Many of their wired headphones use a Y-cable to connect the headphones to the audio source. Y-cables have more breaking points, which is not ideal.

A lot of the headphones on the market now use a single cable instead of a Y-cable to connect.

These cables are easier to manage.

How Long is the Warranty on Philips Headphones?

All brand new Philips headphones come with a 12-year warranty.

What exactly does the warranty cover?

The warranty covers all manufacturing defects that may arise during the 12 months.

As long as there is no sign of intentional damage or normal wearing and you have proof of purchase from an authorized dealer, Philips will honor the warranty. The proof of purchase is necessary to determine when the headphones were first bought.

Do Philips Headphones Need Maintenance from the Owner?

Philips headphones will last longer when maintained properly.

• It keeps them in good condition and prevents any damage or deterioration in sound.
• If you are an audiophile, headphone maintenance keeps the value of your cans high.
• Well-maintained headphones also ensure that there’s no damage that may affect any warranty claims.

How Do You Care for Your Headphones?

There are different ways to care for your headphones, ranging from basic cleaning to investing a few dollars in supplies for added protection.

If you follow the tips listed below, your headphones have a higher chance of lasting longer.

Clean your headphones regularly

Always clean your headphones before and after use.

Your headphones can accumulate dirt and grime, especially if you leave them outside a case or take them with you on the go a lot.

If you wear your headphones without cleaning them, the dirt may enter your ears and cause irritations or an infection.

Meanwhile, dirt also accumulates through the sweat, oil, or other dirt that may have been on your ears or hair when you use them.

Especially if you are in a humid environment, moisture will cling to your headphones, which can contribute to the corrosion of metal parts on your headphones.

Here’s how you clean your headphones.

• Wipe your headphones after use with a soft cloth that’s dampened with alcohol or hand sanitizer.
• 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.

Practice proper cable management

For those using wired headphones, proper cable management is important.

As cables are one of the weakest points of headphones, proper management of your cables will help maintain durability and premature breaking. And if you’re looking to preserve the resale value of your headphones, having the original cable increases the possibility of that.

The first thing you need to do in cable management is learning how to coil your cables for storage.

Here’s how to coil your cables:

• Get your cable and create an overhand loop.
• Flip and make an underhand loop.
• Repeat these steps in the same order until you reach the end of the cable.
• Once you reach the end, secure with hook and loop cable fasteners.

And when you’re ready to use the headphones, remove the fastener and the cable unfurls without tangles.

Aside from that, here are other tips to help you maintain the cables of your headphones:

• Avoid dangling the wires, as these also put pressure on the internal wires, especially when bent at an angle.
• Pull out the plug, and not the cable.
• Don’t leave your headphones plugged in all the time, as they can damage the spring inside the jack.

Get storage for your headphones

Buying a dedicated case for your headphones goes a long way in protecting them from damage.

If you always take your headphones on the go, a proper case for your headphones prevents them from getting crushed inside your bag.

While the headphone case may end up bouncing inside your bag during transit, it will still protect your headphones from scratches and cables breakage.

The proper storage also means it’s the right fit. You don’t want something too tight or too loose as it can still damage your headphones.

Avoid moisture and humidity

Humid environments and moisture can cause your headphones to wear out faster.

Sweat and humidity can speed up corrosion, and while there’s not much you can do to limit exposure, you can consider putting silica gel desiccant in your headphones’ case to absorb any moisture.

You should also be sure to wipe off moisture or sweat that accumulates on your earphones.

Set the Volume and EQ levels properly

The speakers of your headphones vibrate as they produce sound, and it vibrates more when the volume is louder.

This higher vibration makes the headphones more prone to damage, and high volume could also damage your sense of hearing.

That’s why smartphones have a warning indicator when you adjust volume levels. Not only does it warn you that you’re going beyond the threshold for volume for your headphones, but it’s also to protect your hearing.

Here are other points to consider:

• Mute the volume when plugging and unplugging your headphones to avoid any popping sound that can damage your headphone speakers.
• 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

For those who use the wireless Philips headphones, here are some tips for charging:

• Ideally, you shouldn’t wait for them to drain completely.
• 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 Philips Headphones?

Here are our suggestions for the best Philips headphones. 

Philips Fidelio X2

When it comes to quality and comfort, the Philips Fidelio X2 headphones are a logical choice.

• First of all, it features velour-wrapped memory foam ear cups that make wearing these headphones for long period very pleasing. The headband is quite light, self-adjustable, and adapts to different head shapes.
• For connectivity, the Fidelio X2 uses a detachable wired connection. Unfortunately, there’s no Bluetooth on-board.
• Under the hood, you’ll find 50 mm neodymium drivers that provide for clear treble and bass response.
• These headphones also use an open-back design to remove air pressure for better audio quality.
• And with the help of the Layered Motion Control, excess frequencies are absorbed for a clear sound.
• When it comes to durability, the ear shell features a double layer that was designed to mitigate vibrations and resonance for better sound quality. Thanks to this layering, you get a more durable pair of headphones.

Philips SHP9500S

The Philips SHP9500S is another formidable option for headphones that feature comfort and good sound quality.

• The SHP9500S fits most ear sizes and shapes. Its earcups have good cushioning and the padding on the headband is quite good. Unfortunately, the ear cups don’t detach, which can be a problem for some people.
• The cable of the SHP9500 is quite thick, so you can rest a little easier when it comes to breakage.
• While it uses a Y-cable, you can easily detach them on each side for storage. You won’t have a problem identifying which side your cable goes to.
• The overall design also has a vintage look with little elements of modern minimalism.
  It also uses steel for critical components, so these headphones won’t break easily.
• For the sound quality, these headphones feature an open-back design that allows you to get deep into the music. The frequencies are smooth and the trebles don’t sound harsh. The bass is good for an open-back and does not drown out other frequencies.

Philips Bass+

For those looking for a wireless option from Philips, the Bass+ is a good choice for wireless headphones.

• First of all, these headphones have a built-in microphone so you can use them when taking calls, whether on your phone or during video calls.
• Another good feature is that all the controls you need are available on the headphones. You can skip tracks or answer calls without having to dig through your bag or pocket for your phone.
• Since these are Bluetooth headphones, they run off a battery that only lasts 12 hours. This can be disappointing for many users, as many Bluetooth headphones on the market can last 20 hours of use.
• These headphones are also comfortable to use, thanks to the large cushions designed for long wear without any discomfort. The auricles may be turned to fit you most comfortably.
• When it comes to durability, these headphones are built well. They fold conveniently for storage so it’s easy to take them wherever you need to be.
• The sound quality is quite good, and these headphones take pride in their powerful bass frequencies. It does, however, fall flat when it comes to sound isolation.

Philips SHB 6250

Here’s another good pick for wireless users.

• The Philips SHB6250 is another good pair of Bluetooth headphones that are ideal for people on the go.
• These headphones have a slimmer profile compared to other headphones on the market. They are also quite light to wear. The overall look is quite sleek and is sure to turn heads when you have them on.
• Aside from being comfortable, these headphones are durable and feature a foldable design that makes them easy to take with you on trips.
• These headphones connect via Bluetooth and have the controls you need on the earcups. You can even use Google Now and Siri with your headphones. There’s also a one-tap NFC connection for faster pairing.
• The sound quality is exceptional on these headphones, considering that it only uses a 40 mm neodymium driver. The frequencies are balanced, and the bass has a good thump to it.

 

Sources:

Philips USA Warranty

Top 15 Best Philips Headphones – Complete Guide

How Long Do Headphones Last? — What You Need to Know Before Buying a Pair

8 Simple Tips To Take Good Care Of Your Headphones