Almost indestructible Children's Headphones

[jimbobby]

At either end of the price spectrum, we have been using the GermanMaestro GMP 8.35 D (these headphones really are indestructible) for our language labs and the music department, and for lighter use the Koss Stratus UR10. Both have been very reliable.

 

The GermanMaestro's are studio quality, but in my experience they can take survive the toughest enviroments. We've not had to replace one pair yet (our first batch was purchased 3 years ago!).

Edited February 21, 2012 by jimbobby

[laserblazer]

We use these --|A069|MONO EARPHONE | CPC I can't remember where I got them but it was less than £1.00 each for 100 or so. OK, they are only mono but they do the job and in 5 years or so, I've had around 5 that have broken. Usually by kids chewing the lead! They are also hygienic.

[K.C.Leblanc]

No we got them from Hills, they are a good supplier and if you want more than 37 it might be worth having a word with them just to see when they are getting more stock in.

 

They are very friendly, I once had to call them asking for a quotation for a single pair of basic headphones (not their indestructible ones). This was because we were billing the parents of a little twerp who broke a pair. The lady on the phone suggested wrapping the cable round the student's neck.

[frankq]

I have looked at the ones from Hills and they seem a reasonable buy. I am awaiting a quote for some sold by Califone in the USA which also seem to be a set that will stand up to a bit of abuse. I am considering the idea of coating the leads in some sort of varnish made from the Trinidad Scorpion Chil Pepper as a deterent to chewing

[Alis_Klar]

We used to use cheapie ones but every day I was replacing a pair here and there. The ones we had came with really long cables so I had to waste a cable tie every time a new set went out.

 

I now use Hill Compoments "indestucatble" ones. They are all kept in a box and only come out when a teacher requests them. Also these hadphones come with a draw string bag which stops the headphone getting tangled in the box. It is sometimes a pain when the class havn't put them back in the bags themselves.

 

Pros:

 

• Replacable rubber ear pads. You can order spares for a few pence from Hills. (never had to replace any of these tho as they are strong
  
• Cable is fabric covered and thick which stops chewing and breakages
  
• Each pair comes in it's own string pull frabric bag
  

 

Cons:

• Surprisingly the 3.5mm plug on these are weak. The metal pins themselves bend and the centre pin drops out accasionally
  
• The cable brace around the plug is weak and some have become intermittant
  
• The volume control is too invisible. Kids dont realise the volume is turned down and complain they are not working all the time!! :mad:
  
• Our kids rip the bags too easily. Hills sell spares and the new batch seem stronger. So this issue may have been fixed.
  

 

Overall i still like the Hills headphones but the issues are frustrating esp. the volume issue!!

 

The "Califone" ones look ok but might still be chewable.

[Edu-IT]

Is that these? What do you pay a pair? @Alis_Klar

 

http://www.hillscomponents.com/product.asp?sec=01&PROD=171-5600&BrNavLink=No&t=Headphones with microphone - ROBUST H/PHONE+D/STRING BAG

Edited June 5, 2015 by Edu-IT

[Alis_Klar]

That's the one! Will post some pictures to show details of cables.

 

this is what i payed in may 2013

 

Robust Headphone + Bag Hills Components 171-5705 50 £4.90 £245.00

Replacement Earpads 5 Pairs Hills Components 171-5706 10 £1.80 £18.00

[Alis_Klar]

Will be ordering 10 more of these to replace broken ones. Out of the 50 I oredered in 2013 I still have 25 or so still working. The main thing that fails as I said in prev post is the 3.5mm plug end. This is strangly weak as other parts are re-enforced.

 

Another factor wich has helped them last longer is that we do not leave them out all the time. We keep them in a box and they are put back as soon as a group are finished with them.

 

Here is a pic of them.

 

Edited January 13, 2016 by Alis_Klar