How Durable Are Sony Headphones? (With Examples)

On the search for new headphones and considering Sonys? The company has been around for decades, which makes them an institution in the industry.

But does their name automatically equate to quality?

How durable are Sony headphones?

Here’s What You Need to Know About the Durability of Sony Headphones.

The durability of Sony headphones can be a bit hit or miss. The cheaper headphones are made with lower quality materials, while the more expensive ones have metal parts and are much more durable. 

How Long Do Sony Headphones Normally Last?

The longevity of Sony headphones depends on how well you take care of them.

Many people who had Sony headphones over the years usually last up to six years. 

For wireless Sony headphones, you can get around two years of life before the battery starts draining faster.

Do They Last as Long as Other Headphones?

Sony headphones can last as long as other big-name brands on the market, such as Audio Technica or Grado.

You can expect them to last longer than the knockoffs or the cheaper headphones in the market. The average lifespan for any headphones is usually around two years.

Sony goes the extra mile in conducting constant research, innovating new features, and listening to the feedback of its customers. Make sure to also educate yourself on what MDR is on Sony headphones.

What Typically Breaks First on Sony Headphones?

The weak points of Sony headphones include the cable and plugs, wired headphones, and the headband since there are plastic components.

Sony’s entry-level headphones have more plastic parts and cables on each speaker, which puts them at higher risk for damage.

A good example of this would be the MDR-ZX110 headphones, which have good sound quality but has a plastic build that isn’t as durable as other headphones.

If your Sony headphones break, here are some things that you should do immediately: 

• Look for a local Sony Service Center. Take note of the address.
• Do not break the headphones apart. Leave them as-is. Take pictures
• of the damaged headphone. This would come in handy when you send them to the service center.
• Look for the receipt or warranty card when you purchase your headphones.

How Long is the Warranty on Sony Headphones?

Sony headphones come with 12-month warranty coverage for all headphones bought at a U.S. retailer.

Depending on the type of headphones you bought or the active promo Sony had upon purchasing one, the warranty could change.

What Exactly Does the Warranty Cover?

The warranty covers all manufacturing defects that may arise during the coverage period.

Your headphones are covered with the warranty as long as there are no signs of intentional damage or self-repair. Do not let anyone else repair your headphones, as the warranty would immediately be voided.

What you should do:

• Take pictures of the damage.
• Provide proof of purchase like your receipt. If the service center requires a warranty card, then be sure to bring that as well.
• Carefully explain the issue to the service center in charge.
• Please provide contact details in case of any further questions they would ask about the product. 

You may also like to read our article that explains about 6 Typical Problems With Sony Headphones

Do Sony Headphones Need Maintenance from the Owner?

You should definitely do some basic maintenance on your headphones!

There are several good reasons to provide ample maintenance to your headphones:

• 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 wearing or damage that may affect any warranty claims.

There are plenty of other reasons, but these are the top considerations.

How Do You Care for Your Headphones?

As stated earlier, proper maintenance goes a long way. And, although proper maintenance does not fully prevent degradation, it still prevents damages from arising earlier.

That said, let’s take a look at what you can do to maintain your headphones.

Clean your headphones regularly

Headphones will always get exposed to dirt, no matter where you are. They get exposed to dust and will accumulate grime and oil from your skin, as well as sweat.

There are many other ways dirt may land on your cans, which is why cleaning is very important.

Here’s what you should do:

• 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 use 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.

Give attention to the cables

The cables are very important for those who use wired headphones.

• While swapping out cables is an option, not all headphones have swappable cables. Some headphones use a Y-cable, which can be more sensitive when connecting to a phone or other device.
• On top of that, even if you can detach the cables, you also lose part of the value if you break the original cable.
• And for those using wired in-ears, breaking cables can be problematic, since it can render the headphones useless. Sometimes, those damages can be hard to repair.

Here are some ways to prevent damage to your headphone 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.
• Make sure your cables are not tangled, as untangling them may also cause pressure to the wires inside.
• Pull out the plug, and not the cable.
• 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.

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.

Get storage for your headphones

For people who are always on the go, it’s highly recommended to buy a dedicated case for your headphones.

• Sure, you can just put it in your bag, since there’s space, but your bags were not exactly designed for that, unless it really has a dedicated headphone pouch.
• Having a case for your headphones prevents them from getting crushed during transit.
• 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.

Replace headphone pads now and then

Headphone pads were designed to provide comfort to your ears, but because these have contact with your skin, they tend to absorb sweat.

Over time, the vinyl may flake off, even if you regularly wipe them clean. Once your headphones start flaking, it’s time to replace them.

Avoid moisture and humid environments

One reason why headphones corrode is due to exposure to moisture and humid environments.

• If you frequent humid environments, consider putting silica gel desiccant in your headphone’s case to absorb any moisture.
• If you sweat a lot or use your headphones in humid environments, another thing to consider, if feasible, is using headphones designed for sports.
• Sports headphones were designed for better resistance to liquids, and are often IP-rated.

Match the impedance between your device and headphones

Impedance matching is very important for wired headphones.

• If you have high-impedance headphones and your device has a low impedance, you will not get the ideal volume level. In this case, a headphone amp is highly recommended to compensate for the levels.
• Meanwhile, low-impedance headphones may get damaged when plugged into high-impedance sources.
• Bluetooth headphones have an edge over wired connections, as there’s no need to worry about impedance ratings between your devices.

Set the Volume and EQ levels properly

The speakers of your headphones vibrate as it produces sound, and it also tends to vibrate more when the volume is louder, which makes it more prone to damage.

The worst thing that can happen here is the sound warping, with the potential to 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, it also protects 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 Sony 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 Sony Headphones?

If you’re looking at Sony for your next headphones, here are some suggested pairs to look at.

Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is one of the newest models that Sony has to offer.

• It features noise canceling that improves clarity a lot during calls, or when listening to music. When compared to its predecessor, the XM3, the XM4 has a much better noise-canceling feature.
• Sound quality is quite good, with the DSEE Extreme Audio enhancing the audio experience. These headphones have the trademark comfort that the series is known for. And with the latest codec support, the XM4 really provides for a comfortable and pleasing sound experience.
• You can use it for hours without discomfort, thanks to the well-designed earcups that adapt to your ears.
• There’s also conversational awareness and auto-play/pause that’s activated with the sensor, which helps you talk with other people without removing your headphones.
• Battery life is also pegged at 30 hours, which is remarkable for wireless headphones.

On the downside, the XM4 does not support the aptX or aptX HD codec, and is not waterproof.

Sony WH-CH510

If you are looking for a budget pair of headphones, the Sony WH-CH510 are worth taking a look at.

• The CH510 has excellent battery life at 35 hours, which is great for days when you’re away from your desk or on a trip.
• Sound quality is good, considering the price.
• While there are quite a lot of strong points, the weaknesses of this pair of headphones include the mediocre construction and a lack of a wired input connection, such as a 3.5 mm or USB plug.
• You might be able to get something with an option for a wired connection, but the sound quality and battery life are hard to beat.

Sony MDR-Z1R

If you’re looking for one of the best headphones when it comes to sound quality, the Sony MDR-Z1R is one of the leaders in this category.

• These headphones are well built and of high quality.
• A purely wired headphone, the Z1R features incredibly high sound quality. Bass frequencies are quite deep but balanced in the mix. All other frequencies are perfect, which makes this headphone one of the more accurate ones that emulate the studio feel.
• While the Z1R is considered a closed-back headphone, you’ll be delighted by the high sound quality. And if you plug it into a good sound system or a nice headphone amp, you’ll get the full benefits of these headphones.

Which brings us to its weak points.

• You can really only bring out the best of these headphones when using premium electronics, such as a headphone amp, or maybe a DAC.
• It’s also wired, so it might be a challenge to use when on the go.

What Are the Most Sturdy Headphone Brands?

Although Sony remains a top recommendation for headphones, other brands stand out from the rest, providing quality sound anytime and anywhere.

Reading product reviewers on various headphone brands would help you choose what’s best for you and your budget. 

Below are some highly recommended headphones brands that you should pick up: 

Sennheiser

If you have extra cash to invest in top-notch quality headphones, then Sennheiser headphones are the best of the best. 

Made out of fine quality materials and carefully made for audiophiles, Sennheiser takes an extra mile to ensure their headphones provide excellent sound quality, perfect bass, and smooth communication. 

V-MODA 

What makes V-MODA stand out from the other headphone brands is that each one is custom-made for you. 

Aside from their Crossfade Wireless headphones, their different varieties are ideal for gamers and those who love streaming music all day on Spotify or Apple music. 

V-MODA has both comfort and quality music in one great package. 

Xiaomi 

Although notable for their mobile phones, Xiaomi also took the extra mile to produce comfortable wireless headphones. 

Xiaomi headphones are ideal for those who want to listen to music or have conversations on the go without any distortion of the sound quality. 

Their headphones are perfect for those who are on a budget. 

Symphonized

If it’s durability on a budget that you are looking for, then the symphonized wireless headphones are one of the best yet. 

Based on the various reviews by some who purchased these, these can survive a fall, and the sound would still be great. 

Many people would recommend this brand, especially those who can’t afford the top branded headphones. Symphonized is a great one to start. 

Jaybird

Are you the person who loves to work out and reach those fitness goals every day? 

Many users recommended the Jaybird brand if you’re looking for the ideal headphones that won’t slip or fall off you when you’re out running, jogging, or doing the heaviest workouts at the gym.

Barks Bulk

Studying and taking online classes require great headphones to ensure you don’t miss out on your lessons.

The Barks Bulk classroom headphones are a great choice not only for students but also for teachers. Barks Bulk has excellent listening and voice quality every time. 

You can plug on your phone, tablet, or even on your computer. Barks Bulk has excellent noise-canceling features that give you an edge on your study and class sessions.

Sources:

8 Simple Tips To Take Good Care Of Your Headphones

The best Sony headphones 2021: incredible cans to appeal to your inner audiophile

Youtube Video (Marques Brownless)