My earphones always do this...

[effilctar]

After asking a few friends, they all said that their earphones, as well as mine, always break after a couple of months, usually by the left earphone getting quieter until it just breaks.

My question is: are proper headphones more reliable and should I spend a bit more money buying a reliable pair of headphones? I don't care about looking a fool with giant headphones on if it means I can stick my nose up when the people guffawing have their earphones break. Also, could you recommend a particular set of headphones, bearing in mind that I'm in Britain. Skullcandy seams to be the hot thing right now.

 

[TimeLord]

Proper headphones are not more reliable, just more expensive to replace when they break

 

[Dahni]

my skullcandy headphones broke quicker than any of my in-ear headphones.

there's JVC ones in HMV that are £17 and ive been using them for a good two years and they work fine.

 

[Omikron009]

I've never had a pair of headphones that didn't have this problem. One ear always starts cutting out, and the wires have to be in a very specific position for any sound to come through. Please tell me if any headphones don't have this problem. My friend has a 150 dollar pair of headphones that have this.

 

[kalakashi]

Your left one gets quieter? Mine just turns off on day, but yes, it is always the left. I'd like to know just why that is. I always also lose the soft bits that cover the earphone; does anyone know where to buy those things? And does anyone know if that was the correct place for a semi-colon? What about that hyphen?

Also, I can't help but notice how often I'm using my shift key now!!

 

[Leodiensian]

I've repeatedly had this problem on my IPod Touch - the left headphone wont work unless I waggle the headphone plug into the right position, then hold it there so that I can hear more than a seconds worth of left-song.

I think it might be a problem with the IPod's headphone connection rather than the headphones themselves, really.

 

[SturmDolch]

I have a pair of $50 Skullcandies. They've broken twice in two years, but I keep getting replacements due to lifetime warranty. w00t.

 

[Berethond]

Don't listen to your music so loud, that'll solve your problems.
My headphones have been going strong for a year and a quarter.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Go Sennheiser, don't go wrong. Mine have lasted for over a year now, and I've dropped them a few times. I do love these HD212 PRO.

 

[Jharry5]

That's happened to quite a few different pairs, including a pair of Samsung made ones (which I thought would have been more reliable - I was wrong). The best pair I've had are the ones that came with my iPod... I've been using them for perhaps going on three years or so, and still going strong...

 

[Snotnarok]

If you spend 20 bucks+ on headphones they'll last. That's what I've discovered anyway, or untill your brother borrows them and returns them with the foam off the damn things.

 

[Vanguard_Ex]

After asking a few friends, they all said that their earphones, as well as mine, always break after a couple of months, usually by the left earphone getting quieter until it just breaks.

My question is: are proper headphones more reliable and should I spend a bit more money buying a reliable pair of headphones? I don't care about looking a fool with giant headphones on if it means I can stick my nose up when the people guffawing have their earphones break. Also, could you recommend a particular set of headphones, bearing in mind that I'm in Britain. Skullcandy seams to be the hot thing right now.

I have a pair of Skullcandy earphones and they're good quality. Not too pricey either. Definitely worth activating your warranty though, as this is my second pair...

 

[sean.A7x]

I think this happens with any earphones

the earphone i have right now are doing it with the right one which is funny because the left ones wire is exposed and that ones fine

 

[plastic_window]

After asking a few friends, they all said that their earphones, as well as mine, always break after a couple of months, usually by the left earphone getting quieter until it just breaks.

My question is: are proper headphones more reliable and should I spend a bit more money buying a reliable pair of headphones? I don't care about looking a fool with giant headphones on if it means I can stick my nose up when the people guffawing have their earphones break. Also, could you recommend a particular set of headphones, bearing in mind that I'm in Britain. Skullcandy seams to be the hot thing right now.

If you get Skullcandy's from HMV, you can pick up a warranty that lasts for 2 years for like £2 extra. I'm on my third pair of 'Buds', so I've saved quite a bit of money at this point - I'm not sure if they offer the same service with the bigger headphones, though.

My headphones usually break because the wire fades, and eventually snaps, at the closest point to the receiving socket in my mp3.

 

[Sun Flash]

Go to Tesco. But JVC Gummy earphones for a fiver. Look fabulous with a bubblegum pink pair.

These pairs last me about 6 months with daily use, which is twice as long than any other brand I've had. And they're cheap to replace.

 

[Mushroomfreak111]

I get some here in the old country that if they break I get new ones for no cost, no matter how many times it happens! I'm on my 5th pair so far, everything is great =3

 

[senorcromas]

Ugh, I hate when that happens. I dunno if everyone is like this, but my $25 skullcandy ear buds are still working really well,even if they are a tad uncomfortable...

Then again, anything is better than the ones Apple gives you.

 

[Standby]

I picked up a pair of black JVC earphones from HMV for a fiver and they still work like a charm, and i've had them well over a year at this point.

 

[TaborMallory]

Contrary to several opinions in this thread, costlier headphones (more often than not) do last longer. The reason, shockingly, is because they usually use higher quality materials, especially internal wiring.
JVC or Sennheiser headphones are both all-around good choices; Skullcandy are decent if you don't mind spending a bit extra for a (somewhat restricted) lifetime warranty.

 

[fix-the-spade]

Skullcandy seams to be the hot thing right now.

I've always used Panasonic (including a pair I found on the ground in Hyde Park in 2004, which I cleaned before use and still use), so far no mechnical failures. One pair died when I stepped on them and crushed one side, but other than that smiles for miles.

Brand wise, Panasonic, Sony or JVC for under £20.

Avoid Apple and Skullcandy at cheap end, poor quality in general.

For big Dustbin can headphones, Plantronics and Sennheiser are my favourites, Plantronics headsets especially, they have extremely effective noise cancelling and surround sound. Bit pricey though.