Squeaky Creaky Headphones!

[ericj]

I thought my K340 had a noisy frame, and then i got a K260Pro.

I can't move my head without the various swivle points creaking. It's astounding, really.

Anybody experiment with lubricating their headphone frames? I think i saw someone mention using graphite, but i think a bicycle product like Pedro's Ice Wax makes more sense.

 

[roastpuff]

This was actually a sore point with me when I tried out the Sennheiser 580/600/650. I really, really expected better out of the Sennheiser build quality that they're famous for. My $50 PC150 Sennheiser headset was better than that.

 

[Culverin]

my pc150 sits underneath my desk gathering dust.

my dt-990's squeek against my glasses
it's very annoying

 

[facelvega]

I never had any noise problems with my Philips-rebadged K260, but maybe just because they were clean. But my old ATH-3, wow. The only headband I've ever seen that resonates like a tuning fork every time anything slightly jostles it. Great if you mostly listen to music performed exclusively by bells.

 

[cosmopragma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif I thought my K340 had a noisy frame, and then i got a K260Pro. I can't move my head without the various swivle points creaking. It's astounding, really. Anybody experiment with lubricating their headphone frames? I think i saw someone mention using graphite, but i think a bicycle product like Pedro's Ice Wax makes more sense.

Generally Stax Lambdas are prone to squeaking, and especially the older black Lambdas are hard to stand.
Finest sandpaper and carefully applying graphite fixes it according to Stax Germany, but graphite near the electrostatic drivers makes me nervous.

 

[Dexdexter]

My Ultrasone PROlines have a tendency to squeak & creak on occasion (only while putting them on / taking them off), but I'm more than happy to forgive them for the sound that they deliver.

 

[kontai69]

I used Pyroil silicone spray lubricant with great success to eliminate the squeeking I was experiencing with a HD650 I used to own. I got it at the auto parts store.

 

[uraflit]

i find that the only time my headphones squeek is when i wear glasses... and i eventually found that it was my glasses that were squeeking =(

 

[ericj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kontai69 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I used Pyroil silicone spray lubricant with great success to eliminate the squeeking I was experiencing with a HD650 I used to own. I got it at the auto parts store.

I've got STP silicone spray here, but my concern there is that it's going to corrupt the matte finish of the plastic, and may eventually collect crud.

That and it's hard to control the spray area.

So, a dry lube is really the best idea.

The only dry lube most people know is graphite. There are a few wax-based dry lubes that go on in an alcohol-based solution and dry to a thin, barely visible film.

Pedro's Ice Wax is popular among recumbent cyclists who hate washing black chain grease out of their pants but don't mind re-lubing their chain every time it rains. The chain grease issue is a much bigger problem when you have more than 200 links of chain and it runs parallel to your leg.

I know one such 'bent cyclist. Will be borrowing a CC or so of the stuff.

Anyway, I desoldered the drivers from my K260Pro tonight and gave the frame an hour-long Formula 409 bath followed by a good hot water rinse.

They're less squeaky but they still need some attention.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif I thought my K340 had a noisy frame, and then i got a K260Pro. I can't move my head without the various swivle points creaking. It's astounding, really. Anybody experiment with lubricating their headphone frames? I think i saw someone mention using graphite, but i think a bicycle product like Pedro's Ice Wax makes more sense.

Yeah, I noticed that too..But to be fair they are like 30 yrs old..But the cracking goes away when the music plays so its cool..

 

[Fitz]

My K260Pro is only creaky when putting them on and adjusting them, I can not get it to make noise while just wearing them. This is what you get for being a cheap person and buying poor abused phones.

 

[greggie]

Teflon spray might be an option.

 

[EsthetiX]

My k81DJ's squeek too. Must be an AKG trademark feature.

 

[wualta]

Krytox, my boy, Krytox. See if your local velocipede stockist has Krytech.

 

[ecca]

I have a pair of Bluedio V1 headphones that were great when I first had them in 2018 but had degenerted into an unusable condition due to the perpetual creaking and groaning with even the tiniest head movement.
I tried various spray lubricants, silicon spray etc without much success.
Today I cured it once and for all with the utmost simplicity.
I put a girls elastic hair band round the body of the earpiece.
Works perfectly, it stops the pressure going onto the squeaky surfaces when on your head.