Is this some kind of Bose post that I'm too Sennheiser to understand?
this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2025
251 points (98.1% liked)
Rare insults
1623 readers
867 users here now
Post any unique insults you find!
Rules:
- No hateful Insults
- No personal information
- No politics
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Acidic skin ph
Doesn't that mean they are cheap? Faux leather bonding, which is the same thing cheap couches use that flakes as well?
Currently happening on my AudioTechnica’s ATH-M50xBT, nearly $300 headphones, rarely use em.
Probably. Those headphones look very similar to a cheap set of headphones I had that did the exact same thing. I bought a higher quality set and haven't had an issue. So these are likely a cheap Chinese brand like mine was.
I thought they were the ATH M50X, but on comparison, they're just similar. Perhaps a cheap knock-off.
I had this happen to Sennheiser 448, that I bought 15 years ago for $100. Does that count as cheap? They still sound great, I just had to buy a replacement ear pads.
$100 for sennheiser does sound cheap, but in a good way, lol. I like them a lot.
Every Sennheiser product I've had has been like this. Excellent sound relative to the price point, but not a lot of longevity.
To be fair, if you're willing to spend money on high-quality headphones, you usually upgrade the earpads as well. The ones that come in the box tend to be basic, and as such, only meant to hold you off temporarily.
Is anyone else sick out of their dicks at products that come with shit tier required accessories that have to be replaced as part of the original purchase? Radios that come packaged wtih fuckpuke antennas, table saws that come packaged with fuckpuke miter gauges, headphones that come packaged with fuckpuke ear pads...mouthfuls and eyefuls and nostrilfuls and pillowcasefuls of fuckpuke everywhere you look in every direction.
That’s why JD Vance only prefers the finest real leather.
No, happened to my BOSE. Mostly due to sweat though. Replacements cheap.
Yes, I would prefer them to use just cloth without that ersatz-leather film
I tried using a pair that the vinyl had peeled away. They were somehow hotter than before.
I don't know what these are made of, but rarely using them might make this more likely. A lot of PU will degrade like this if it just sits around but will last a long time if used regularly.
If you've ever had a pair of shoes with a PU sole that sat in the closet for a year or two and when you went to get them the sole was all gummy and/or crumbly, but you had a pair from the same company that you wore regularly that lasted years, you've experienced this.
Hydrolysis. Allegedly using shoes with PU soles often squeezes moisture out of them, preserving life, but idk if that's actually true. I can definitely say heat combined with humidity will definitely degrade it pretty quick. Density of the PU really matters, though, cause some PU soles that are relatively rigid (like regular Chaco sandals) are basically bulletproof, while the more cushiony forms with air injected (like the Chaco "cloud" sandals i mistakenly bought, or blundstones) will break apart.
IIRC I read several years ago that the selenium in some anti-dandruff shampoos will degrade the plastic found in faux leather and other similar products. If someone's headphones are falling apart like this after light use, it might be worth looking at what kind of shampoo or other hair products are being used... also don't buy super cheap equipment, you only end up spending more in the long run.
I will sometimes go months at a time without using shampoo (no other products besides, well, an electric trimmer), and this still happens; based on the areas that degrade I'm inclined to believe that skin oils are just as bad for pleather as any chemical in shampoo. Faux leather just sucks and makes whatever it's attached to have an artificially short lifespan in my experience.
It's honestly baffling to me that there is anyone on the planet who thinks that the material that breaks down super fast in contact with human skin (product or not) should primarily be used for contact with human skin. Breaking down into black glitter noless. It's infuriating.
They're cheap headphones. Cheap shampoo should be expected. Don't touch the brand. Likely crap. Products not fit for purpose.
I ordered a bag of replacement foam pads for my headphones from china. That was years ago. Still have many. Was a good buy. Cheap too.
I need to get new headphones for my daughter because her last pair did this.
Suggestions for something under $100?
How old is your daughter? I have a recommendation for a teenager (Soundcore Life Q20), and one for younger kids (Belkin SoundForm or JLab Jbuddies). The Soundcore I use personally; the JLab is what I got the kids for school this year (with the expectation that they will only last a year or so).
I can't speak to the Jlabs kids headphones. But my Jlabs earbuds are fucking troopers! They've accidentally been washed more than once, and still work, and sound great, and have held up really well to daily use
Just replace the ear pads if you can. I’ve used both velour and micro suede pads on my SONY MDR v6 and 600 and it’s been a solid replacement. It’s been eight years now and no issues.
I need to do this for my AKG 553s. None of the pads fit great though that I've found and I don't want to just buy replacements from AKG and have to replace them again in another 5 years
Like with all tasks of this nature, you tend to go through some duds. I search up on Reddit and Lemmy for ideas and take those to Amazon and eBay. That said, while not perfect, soulwit and geekria are who I got my pads from and would buy again. Both are on Amazon.
FYI, in my experience it takes a few days for new pads to “cure” into place (assuming it’s on completely). Once they have gone tight around the cup, it’s fine (for me).
Alright, soulwit pad ordered. Fingers crossed as the last two just did not work
Well Amazon has free returns, so no harm in trying. Gotta admit, I’m a little anxious for you now. Hope it works out!!
If the headphones still work and the only reason to replace them are the ear cups deteriorating, try replacing the ear cups.
I would if I could. I only see Bose and Beats replacements online.
I have a pair of sennheiser HD250 over ear. Solid for the price
Depends on what you are looking for, wireless/wired, closed back or open.
But I recommend AKG K92s. They are normally around or below that price and sound great, plus they have been around for a little while and have a lot of 3rd party replacement parts in case they break.
Man needs to step up his goon game, way too much sweating at the keyboard going on.