"Self-adjusting" headbands

[GanChan]

I notice that the Audiotechnica headphones use a kind of suspension system that reminds me of the "aself-adjusting" strap on some of the Sony and Philips headphones. I remember reading once that headband designs that depended on a suspension strap eventually lost their ability to give an accurate fit as the strap slowly stretched out over time. Was that an old wives' tale? And if not, are the Audiotechnica "wings" subject to the same sort of longterm wear issues?

 

[lindrone]

I've had my A900 for 6 months now, and the previous owner had it for a year... I wouldn't worry about it. There's nothing "loose" about the tension.

I'm sure they do eventually wear out.. but it should take many, many years of constant wear before that'll happen.

 

[lini]

Quote:

Originally posted by GanChan I remember reading once that headband designs that depended on a suspension strap eventually lost their ability to give an accurate fit as the strap slowly stretched out over time. Was that an old wives' tale?

I can confirm that it was true for the older K240Ms - on both units I had bought in the 80s the straps gave up after ~ 2 1/2 years. I didn't notice any problems with the K240S yet, though...

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[lindrone]

One thing I noticed, the past few days some people posted up pictures of stands they made themselves that imitates the Stax headphone stands.

Then there's several pics of people who placed their headphone that has a self-adjusting headband on them. This effectively puts the headband in an always stretched out position, it's gotta have some effect on its elasticity over time.

I wouldn't use that type of headphone stand if I have a headphone with a self-adjusting headband.