Headphones you're GOING to throw away

Bluetooth IEMs and earbuds are getting REALLY good... but eventually they all end up in the trash as e-waste. Should you still buy them?

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[HomeroGraco]

Totally agree with your thoughts here, unfortunately the sustainability question when it comes to disposable bluetooth earphones does not come by that often.

[JennyDarukat]

Wish there were more options in terms of BT wires, or TWS "adapters" like the ones from KZ & FiiO. It doesn't completely circumvent the problem, but it makes you throw away and have to repurchase a lot less expensive gear at least..

I would really like to see a breakdown of the options on the market in that regard for the common IEM connector types (2-pin, MMCX) since it seems like such a niche product right now.

[Spongegoose]

Absolutely agree. I have a few wireless IEMs and the biggest concern I was considering recently was sustainability and that they will ultimately stop working. I have a pair of VE Monks, a custom pair of flat head earbuds and the KossKSC75. I have owned a handful of really high end headphones but sold them for a reason or another.

The biggest selling point of wireless IEMs for me: Transparency mode. I need to be able to hear my surroundings so that I'm aware of my family when they need me.

[SteelyDanUnofficial]

I still use my HD580's from early '90s. Headphones are one of those rare things that could actually last you lifetime if you take care of it.

[cameronclare]

As others have said Bluetooth IEM adaptors such as products from KZ & FiiO are a better solution as they can be disposed of seperately from the IEM once their battery dies. On a related note It's one reason why I welcome DAPs having USB DAC/AMP modes as they can still be used for years after after the battery life becomes unreasonably short or the operating system becomes unable to run the latest streaming apps.

[jonathancraig]

I think about this often, but my guilt isn’t enough to stop me buying Airpods Pro which I use all the time. That said as a wheelchair user I was going through heaps by getting cables caught in various ways. I ended up finding a $8 pair that I could tolerate, buying a million, and just churning through them. So annoyed I’ve only recently found options with detachable cables. I think I’ll collect dead TWS and make an art installation.

[bilalrasool]

I got Galaxy buds plus and I loved them, I used them a lot, until they had a weird issue with he driver and got too quiet. So I baught another pair even though the love were out, another year of heavy use and they died as well. At this point I was also using a very cheap Bluetooth reciever in my car and didn't know it was low quality until I used a wire and the difference was very apparent.

Around this point DankPods made his video on his Airpods Max and complained about all the issues he had with them, then he also explained the issue with Bluetooth audio devices and how they will die one day and there's nothing you can do. Since then, I told myself I'm not buying any Bluetooth audio devices of any sort, and I haven't.

I have AKG Q701, and this year they turn 10 years old, and they are still the best headphones I have heard, others came close, but nothing sounds as natural as them.

[zygote]

Using Fiio BTR3 for last 4 years and enjoying it much with all my earbuds, iem and even kph40 utility headband 🙏🏼

[matejzima]

There are fairphone earbuds: they claim its build to last and offer replacement on single bud or a case. I think it would be interesting to see an audiophile's take on them.

[allanwong]

I already started to feel my 2 year old sony bluetooth batt not lasting the wholeday oor even 3 hours into listening, hence this is one of the reasons why I decided to switch from bluetooth to wired IEMs. Now that I don't have to worry about charging / batt performance over the years to come.

[herminio]

For gym and running, I use cheap Bluetooth earbuds and headphones that are durable, sweat, water, and drop resistance because wires can be cumbersome and often get ruined. I'm not really concerned about sound quality. However, I recently learned technology of LDAC and AptX HD. You can now enjoy lossless music wirelessly, I've been enjoying my IEMs with this technology with neck bands and ear hooks using mmcx and .078 2 pin connectors. I wish more headphones were made with detachable cables so I can make use of this technology on them, too. This a way I get the best of both worlds, I keep using my IEM'S but just change the neckband or ear hooks with the Bluetooth LDAC reciever when the battery dies..

[EverythingisFire]

I use my Moondrop Chu's the majority of the time. I swap to wireless whenever I truly need the wire gone. The gym, skateboarding, & other active stuff when a wire could get in the way.

[yupanquid]

You make a great point. Never stopped and think about this. Having said that, nothing beats the Airpods Pro 2s noise cancellation for the London tube. At least in the in ear section. And believe you me, I’ve tried

[Simon-dnkv]

Is there any alternative? Phones often lack sockets nowadays. Batteries in DAPs also die. Dongle DACs drain at least my batteries like crazy and the volume control with sensitive iems is often too coarse.

[lotusdarkrose]

You make a good point. I have a bluetooth kit for my old earbuds (CCA C10 Pro) that I got from Amazon. They sound good and last a while. And if the battery dies, I just get another kit and can still use the same earbuds. This doesn't eliminate waste, but at least you're not out the entire package if the battery dies.

[kronauer]

I use BT earphones, a 1more dual driver. Not TWS buds, but that one that goes around your neck, and the earphones are attached to them with wires.
It has 1 battery instead of 3, it has 1 electronics instead of three, the battery degrade slower, because i need charge them less often, and i wont lose the earpiece if it accidentally falls out of my ear. Got it for 28 euros on sale from AliExpress.
I still have my 1more triple driver over ears (trident) and Hifiman Anandas at home, but on the go i prefer this semi-wireless stuff.

[Naminorite]

I could not agree more, I only buy what I have to from a wireless perspective. Almost all of my headphones are wired. I don't want more stuff to charge (!!). And they are disposable (as you've stated) The wired sound better, last longer, don't run dead on you and are just all around better.

[VitorMach]

Yep, still using my HD555 from almost 20yrs ago, besides some rust on the earcup mesh and the replaced pads, it still looks good and works very well.
Unfortunately however this is the era of e-waste. Not just BT headphones/earphones, but mobile phones, laptops, keyboards, mice, lamps, speakers, etc etc... One more item in our list of unsustainable activities... :-(

[aceofspades]

Been using my lypertek z3 for years now and has been fantastic. I do not like that they are disposable. But when going to the gym or exercising outdoors the wireless is critical.

[matthewweflen]

I have a pair of 1st generation Sony MDR-1000X noise canceling headphones. After 5 years they still hold a charge for a long time. I've had to replace portions of the headband.

When the battery goes south, I will buy a replacement and do the job myself (it isn't terribly difficult, and it's something I've done on my PS Vita and PS3 controllers), then recycle the old battery. I won't buy a new Bluetooth product for the very reasons you've outlined. If I want to do serious listening, I will use my wired headphones, which I expect to last a decade or more.