How To Prevent Headphones From Breaking

What happens when you get your new headphones out of the box, and the cable pulls out from the end of your earbuds? They're broken; that's what happens! To prevent headphones from breaking, you need to understand how headphones are made and what can cause them to break, but you can also do things to help extend their lifespan. Here are some tips on how to prevent headphones from breaking.

Don't Coil The Cable Tightly

One of the most common reasons headphones break is because they're placed under a lot of stress. When you coil your headphones, you're creating a situation where every step you take could cause damage to your headphones. If you're prone to wrapping up your headphones and putting them in your pocket or backpack, don't: it puts stress on weak points and increases your chances of damage and breakage. If possible, use a carrying case instead!

Make Sure You Only Pull The Plug, Not The Cable

One of the most common ways for headphones to break is that they get pulled from their plug. This, breaks either or both of them depending on how hard it was pulled. The best way to prevent your headphones from breaking is to only pull on one side of them: pull on their cord and do not pull on their jack unless you're going to replace it anyway. If you do so, be sure that you're replacing them with a new set—or a similar enough pair—so that they have an appropriate plug size and don't have different impedance ratings than your current headphones. This will prevent a lot of grief in future months or years.

Make Sure That You Do Not Pull Too Hard Or Too Sharply When You Pull The Connector

When you're done listening to music and want to remove your headphones, it's very tempting to pull them out with all your might. Resist that urge. You run a higher risk of damaging either the jack or headphone connector (or both) if you pull too hard. Instead, pull firmly but gently on each side of your headphone connector. If you hear a popping sound, then it's time to replace that headset; they're unlikely to last long with that kind of damage.

Use The Right Cable (Cord) Length)

If you're reading or watching something on your headphones that isn't stored locally (say, if you're watching a movie stored on your computer), then there is nothing wrong with using longer cables. However, if you listen to music stored on your phone, it is important to use shorter cables (just like any other wire). Shorter lines will reduce stress on individual components of your headphones; stretching them out or bending them too much will shorten their lifespan. Be sure to extend cable length only as needed! A short cable will help prolong headphone life by reducing wear and tear. So how long should your cord be? The ideal length for most situations is less than 3 feet.

Headphones Shouldn't Be Left Lying Around

When you put your headphones on the ground, they are exposed to dust, dirt, and moisture. This can damage them. Always put your headphones in a carrying case when you are not using them. If you do not have a carrying case, make sure that you store them safely, so they won't be exposed to contaminants. You should also make sure that your hands are clean before touching your headphones to prevent germs from getting on them and causing damage over time.
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