amo_mea_filiis. Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 My kids are both in cyber school. School sends headsets with mics every year. And every year we need a couple more. This year I was positive it was 100% my son not giving a hoot about caring for the equipment. But several weeks ago he decided to buy himself a new headset. On clearance, he spent $50 (xmas money). He’s taken very good care of this headset, at least in comparison. The mic is dead. Any idea what to do?! He needs a functioning headset with mic for speech therapy. The built in mic in all 3 computers is not good enough. (Speech is not for artic) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 IMO the wires inside the cables are incredibly tiny and fragile and should be handled as little as is possible. Other than that, I have no idea. I rarely use my headset and keep it in a locked closet. DD uses her headset at least once a week and it is one I probably paid about USD 8 for, 2 or 3 years ago. I believe, respectfully, it is better to look at all of the inexpensive headsets, and then try to buy one that you think the ear muffs (is that the word?) will be comfortable. Also, look at the specs. A wider range of audio frequencies and better Sensitivity are pluses. Again, I suggest purchasing 2 or 3 inexpensive headsets and not a USD $50 one. It's a real crap shoot of what you are going to get. And, looking back, some years ago, we bought DD a Microsoft Web Camera. Whatever one says about Microsoft Software (and I'm one of those people) their Hardware is generally very high quality. I am using an old Microsoft Natural Elite Ergonomic Keyboard to type this. DD is also using one of these. Well, the Microsoft Web Camera had issues and was replaced by a very low end, off brand Web Camera that works better. The extra $ I spent on that (I think it was a gift) was wasted. So, you don't know, until you actually buy the product and live with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanDiegoMom Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 We use the apple ear buds with mic and the only time they die is when we wash them repeatedly by accident. I have the kids use those for online classes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Because they are made and expected to die quickly. They are probably produced and seen by the manufacturers as the "toilet paper" of a device. They need to be changed out a lot more often than the device. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemom Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 We use the apple ear buds with mic and the only time they die is when we wash them repeatedly by accident. I have the kids use those for online classes. What! How? We have terrible luck with Apple ear buds (love them though). The right side always goes out. We replace them at least once a year and none of them have been through the wash. We must be doing something wrong. :closedeyes: Dd did wash her wireless beats a couple of weeks ago. They didn't survive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 Because they are made and expected to die quickly. They are probably produced and seen by the manufacturers as the "toilet paper" of a device. They need to be changed out a lot more often than the device. This current pair was bought after December 26th! That’s not even a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 (edited) Do they unplug them by holding the hard plastic end, or pulling the cords? Same when removing them from thier head...pulling the cord, or using the hard plastic parts? Are they fiddling with the cord during class. rolling it between their fingers, clicking buttons etc? How are they stored. Are the cords wound up and tossed in a drawer? That can be hard on wires, especially on the connections at the ends. Where the cord comes out of the computer....does the cord come straight out or does the cord get pulled to one side or the other. I would buy a mid priced, product from Amazon with over 400 reviews (clears out the false ratings) and 4.5 stars or higher. PUt a hook on the side of the desk or wall and Hang them so the cords stay straight. Practice removing them with the hard plastic bits instead of the cords. Make sure they aren't fidgeting with them. If the cord is bent coming out of the computer, get an L shaped adapter or use Sugru to make a support for the cord so it has a softer turn. ETA or get a pair with USB if that changes the place where they plug into the computer. If those don't solve the problem, I have no idea what to tell you other than plan to buy a commercial set that is designed for classroom/industrial use. Can you get away from corded sets? If you computer has bluetooth....use a Jawbone or like device instead? Edited January 17, 2018 by Tap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 This current pair was bought after December 26th! That’s not even a month. That would still be under store warranty so I would ask for a replacement or return credit. My boys are hard on the connecting wires of their headsets thus spoiling them. However my boys have better durability with USB headsets with mics than the usual audio jack headsets with mic. Also when things don’t work, reinstalling the usb drivers for the headset on windows 10 usually solves the issue. Below links are the usb headsets we have used. Logitech https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Headset-H390-Noise-Cancelling/dp/B000UXZQ42 Plantronics https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-PLNAUDIO478-Stereo-USB-Headset/dp/B005VAORH6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I use headphones for several hours a day for my speech-to-text transcription work and I, too, am irritated by how often I have to buy headphones. I'm an adult who cares carefully for her work equipment (know how to plug in, not fidget with the cords, not wrap them around anything, etc.) and I still have to buy a couple pairs or more a year. I would think they should last longer than that. My first headphone set, about 2011, lasted two years if I recall correctly. Per the store's instruction, I am keeping the packaging and receipt now and if it's only been six months or so, I'm taking them back to the store for replacement if they break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 I don’t think their computers have Bluetooth, or it’s really finicky. Normally, yes, he fidgets, has chewed (his chewed pair lasted almost a school year!), leaves them on the floor, etc. We do have hooks for headphones, but they had rarely been used. He hung this current pair though. They were still new enough and bought with his own money that he cared for them. The current pair also has an L connector, so much easier to remember to pull out properly. Can they be returned if they were clearance? I know we don’t have the box, and I can’t find the receipt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 My husband was accusing our boys of being hard on headsets. I will let him know it isn't the kids! We give them headsets every Christmas. The only ones that have lasted more than a year were Beats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 My kid use them for school and it isn’t unusual for us to get 2-3 pairs a year. Ear buds are awful too but I’m having a little better luck with those since I started crocheting over the wires. Like this. http://www.instructables.com/id/Blue-Waves-Crochet-wrapped-Earbuds/ They still don’t last forever but I have 3 pairs that have lasted over a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I've noticed the same with ear buds. I still have the working earbuds that came with a nice cassette Walkman that I bought back when that was THE thing. They work, but a great many others have come and gone in between. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Sing it. Even the more expensive stuff does not last long enough. My kids both use gaming headsets and you'd think spending that kind of money on that would mean they'd last. Nope. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Sing it. Even the more expensive stuff does not last long enough. My kids both use gaming headsets and you'd think spending that kind of money on that would mean they'd last. Nope. That's what I thought might be the case. I asked a store employee about this the last time I was in, saying I was scared of spending more than the $40 I do because of the experience I've already had of them not lasting long and they tried to indicate "You get what you pay for" (and that more expensive ones would last longer). I still purchased the $40 ones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 Sing it. Even the more expensive stuff does not last long enough. My kids both use gaming headsets and you'd think spending that kind of money on that would mean they'd last. Nope. That’s why I didn’t hesitate letting him spend $50! I figured better quality = longer lasting, and his own money = better care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 (edited) The wires in the cables are incredibly tiny. So, the cables are fragile and should be touched as little as is possible. The user should always have his/her fingers on the plug, when inserting into the jack on the machine or unplugging from the machine. There is probably NO guarantee that paying more for a product like that will be an indicator of durability. It might or might not be. We live in South America and the prices in the stores here include the VAT (Value Added Tax) and I doubt that I would pay more than USD $10 for a headset if I had to buy one today. I haven't bought one for a couple of years, and I think that's about what I paid the last time I made that purchase. I study the inexpensive ones that are close in price and try to select one I think will be comfortable on the ears, and then I look at the Specs, regarding Frequency Response and Sensitivity. It is all too easy for a sales person to try to upsell one into a higher priced product, that may or may not be superior to a lower priced product. ETA: With HDMI cables, there is NO difference (assuming a cable of the same length) in the performance of a cable that costs USD $2 or USD $20 or USD $100. A more expensive cable might be more durable, but the performance will be identical. Edited January 17, 2018 by Lanny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I work online and use them nearly every day. I go through 1-2 a year, and always keep a new pair around. Very irritating, but the wires are indeed the problem. I just buy cheap Logitech ones, and they last just as long as the more expensive ones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I work online and use them nearly every day. I go through 1-2 a year, and always keep a new pair around. Very irritating, but the wires are indeed the problem. I just buy cheap Logitech ones, and they last just as long as the more expensive ones. Logitech is not a low end brand. It's a major brand. Their mice and keyboards and other Hardware is usually very good stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I teach online and use my headset 4-5 hours daily. I do like a comfy headset that is 'over the ears'. I broke down and bought a Sennheisser headset (not usb) about 5 years ago. They were just over $100. It is still going strong. My secret is to use a 'Headset Buddy' to covert the cord to USB and plug THAT into my computer. I'm on my 2nd or 3rd Headset Buddy but at less than $10 is a whole lot better than being on my 2nd or 3rd headset! Plugging and unplugging headsets is the easiest way to break them. Like other posters said-- those wires are fragile! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I've purchased three USB-plug in headsets (Plantronics - I think they are similar or the same as one of the types Arcadia linked to) for online classes. First one was dead on arrival. Replacement one was received in April of 2014. DD#1 uses it daily during the school year for classes. DD#2's was ordered in July of 2016 and was used a couple times per week for one school year. Now, it is frequently left lying around where the cat can chew on it and used about once per week. Both are still working (knock on wood). Now, headphones for audio devices get replaced several times per year. We buy the ~ $15 ones (various types since the kids like different things) and always try to keep at least one spare lying around. I buy them in groups of 3-4 every year. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 That's what I thought might be the case. I asked a store employee about this the last time I was in, saying I was scared of spending more than the $40 I do because of the experience I've already had of them not lasting long and they tried to indicate "You get what you pay for" (and that more expensive ones would last longer). I still purchased the $40 ones. My dad buys them as gifts usually. He has spent as much as $150. They still don't last!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I don’t think their computers have Bluetooth, or it’s really finicky. Normally, yes, he fidgets, has chewed (his chewed pair lasted almost a school year!), leaves them on the floor, etc. We do have hooks for headphones, but they had rarely been used. He hung this current pair though. They were still new enough and bought with his own money that he cared for them. The current pair also has an L connector, so much easier to remember to pull out properly. Can they be returned if they were clearance? I know we don’t have the box, and I can’t find the receipt. If they have the exact ones they may exchange them, but if you don't have any proof of purchase (receipt) or box, I doubt they will give you a refund. Some stores have receipt look up if he used a card to pay , but if it was a cash transaction, I doubt they will. With that, they would either need the original box, or to have the same item still in store to use that product to get the number to search with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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