Headphones not getting sound from right side

[fustercluck]

My expensive headphones that I've had less than 6 months aren't getting any sound to the right side. This usually happens when the connection in the back of my computer gets a little loose, but that wasn't the cause this time. This seemed to happen out of the blue yesterday. I thought it was the soundcard so I screwed around with that all day, then I realized it's the headphones (tried in different sources).

I didn't drop the phones or anything like that, how might this happen? More importantly, how might I be able to fix them? Thanks.

 

[TwiceOver]

Manufacturer?

I know Koss has a lifetime warranty that they stand by. My dad sent back some ancient cans from the 80s and they refurbed them. A second set from the same time period they replaced with a newer model.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: ropeadope
My expensive headphones that I haven't had for more than 6 months aren't getting any sound to the right side. This usually happens when the connection in the back of my computer gets a little loose, but that wasn't the cause this time. This seemed to happen out of the blue yesterday. I thought it was the soundcard so I screwed around with that all day, then I realized it's the headphones (tried in different sources).

I didn't drop the phones or anything like that, how might this happen? More importantly, how might I be able to fix them? Thanks.

Posting here may elicit some responses. What is the make and model of your headphones. How are they wired to the plug (two wires through a splitter? Or one wire to one side where there is a wire in the headband going to the other side).

 

[lozina]

I use headphones exclusively in all my computing and I got that exact problem twice already with supposedly high quality headphones.

All I was able to do was buy a new pair.

I even opened up one one time to see if maybe just some connection broke loose and I could solder it back but it clearly wasnt as simple as that. I had no idea what I was looking at nor what I could do to fix it. Everything appeared to be connected well.

 

[imported_Imp]

Been listening a bit too loud?

 

[Jeff7]

I've found that headphone wires will tend to break right past the strain relief. Strain reliefs are nice, but sometimes they're too rigid themselves, so the wire right past them will be flexed quite hard, and quite often, causing the wire inside to break apart.

 

[CptCrunch]

I've had two pairs of headphones, Altec Lansing that lasted 3 years, and now a plantronics set from dell (for $4) that have lasted the past 8 months without issues. Might be best to replace the headphones with a mid-class that dont' cost too much, are comfortable. For these, check the warranty too, keep receipts etc for these kind of problems

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: ropeadope
My expensive headphones that I haven't had for more than 6 months aren't getting any sound to the right side. This usually happens when the connection in the back of my computer gets a little loose, but that wasn't the cause this time. This seemed to happen out of the blue yesterday. I thought it was the soundcard so I screwed around with that all day, then I realized it's the headphones (tried in different sources).

I didn't drop the phones or anything like that, how might this happen? More importantly, how might I be able to fix them? Thanks.

What is the make and model of your headphones. How are they wired to the plug (two wires through a splitter? Or one wire to one side where there is a wire in the headband going to the other side).

They just have one wire on the side. The side with the wire coming out of it is the side that works. The headphones are AKG K-701s.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: ropeadope

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: ropeadope
My expensive headphones that I haven't had for more than 6 months aren't getting any sound to the right side. This usually happens when the connection in the back of my computer gets a little loose, but that wasn't the cause this time. This seemed to happen out of the blue yesterday. I thought it was the soundcard so I screwed around with that all day, then I realized it's the headphones (tried in different sources).

I didn't drop the phones or anything like that, how might this happen? More importantly, how might I be able to fix them? Thanks.

What is the make and model of your headphones. How are they wired to the plug (two wires through a splitter? Or one wire to one side where there is a wire in the headband going to the other side).

They just have one wire on the side. The side with the wire coming out of it is the side that works. The headphones are AKG K-701s.

Thanks for the replies.

Had a single wire set with same problem, unwired earpiece failed. If you must replace go with Koss, their customer service/guarantee is unmatched.

 

[Alistar7]

Some of the models Koss offers:


Wireless:
http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&pc^wl

Full Size:
http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&pc^fs

 

[tasmanian]

If the manufacturer wont replace them. You can always sodder the wire back together.

 

[fustercluck]

Hopefully I won't have to replace them. Solder the wire back together? Is the wire most certainly broken or could it be another problem?

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: ropeadope

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: ropeadope
My expensive headphones that I haven't had for more than 6 months aren't getting any sound to the right side. This usually happens when the connection in the back of my computer gets a little loose, but that wasn't the cause this time. This seemed to happen out of the blue yesterday. I thought it was the soundcard so I screwed around with that all day, then I realized it's the headphones (tried in different sources).

I didn't drop the phones or anything like that, how might this happen? More importantly, how might I be able to fix them? Thanks.

What is the make and model of your headphones. How are they wired to the plug (two wires through a splitter? Or one wire to one side where there is a wire in the headband going to the other side).

They just have one wire on the side. The side with the wire coming out of it is the side that works. The headphones are AKG K-701s.

Thanks for the replies.

If the unwired ear failed, I am willing to bet that the wire has gotten loose somewhere in the headband or connecting to the ear piece. I dunno what your options are, those are pretty high quality cans so dipping to something less quality, but with good warranty may not be acceptable to you.

You might benefit from calling up AKG to see if they have authorized dealers near you that can perform the repair for not too much outta the pocket money.

 

[imported_Baloo]

Too bad. But I am curious. Why did you wait more than six months, since you last had the headphones, to post this?

 

[aphex]

oooo, K701's are gorgeous, albeit expensive.

Try posting over at head-fi, you will likely have more luck.

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: Baloo
Too bad. But I am curious. Why did you wait more than six months, since you last had the headphones, to post this?

Harhar, typo fixed

Posting at head-fi now.

 

[uhohs]

heh, i saw this over at head-fi first.

i have k701's as well, good luck getting them repaired. i've heard that akg's customer service isn't all that great.

 

[50cent1228]

i buy cheap headphones just for that reason

 

[marincounty]

You need to buy these to replace them.

 

[uhohs]

lol, i hope i have the chance to audition some high end stax stuff someday.