Sony Responds to MDR-1000X Headband Cracking Issue

Previously

Sony MDR-1000X is suffering head band cracking issue globally. All the units breaks at the same point in the headband.
Hundreds and hundreds of customers could not use their 1000Xs anymore after using it from 3 days to 3 months.
Also seen on:
(https://community.sony.com/t5/Webcast-Discussion/MDR-1000X-H…)
(https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/69fiw6/sony_mdr…)
Pictures:
First very minor and then severe, then-> fall apart and become unusable.

(http://www.erji.net/data/attachment/forum/201704/21/113036i5…)

(https://attach.mobile01.com/640x480/attach/201705/mobile01-3…)

(http://www.erji.net/data/attachment/forum/201704/21/113041hf…)

(http://www.erji.net/data/attachment/forum/201704/21/113037ip…)

The final Broken unit:

(https://attach.mobile01.com/attach/201701/mobile01-accd0deae…)

When the headband cracked and finally fell apart, the customers were rejected by Sony to get a free repairment or replacement. 400AUD is charged to get a replacement or repair.
Sony was put on court in Taiwan by a customer for this.
In China Mainland, people group up to protect their rights.

Now

A group of Chinese customers including more than 70 people whose headphone cracked and could not use anymore write a letter to Sony and at the meantime report to Customer Protection Organization in China.
Now Sony has given its response. A internal email is sent to the group of customers by an authorized reseller of Sony. And the email is from Sony.

Translation of the short Email:
"The cracking of the headband is an abnormal fault. The quality of the product and the experiences of the customers are valued by Sony. Please get a free repair or replacement at your local maintenance center. We will investigate the cause of this problem."

The reseller also tells that Sony is informing all its maintenance centers to do what they claim in the email.

Comments

  • +2

    woo, looks like there's no reinforce to hold the joint… worry about mine now

  • +4

    A replacement is not going to solve anything if it has the same inherent fault.

    • +4

      Yes. This is is a design issue.

  • +1

    ….Just got mine 5 days ago…this is worrying

  • +1

    Class action anyone $ =) $
    :P

  • Buy Bose QC35s instead?

    • I do feel ear pressure on the QC35, so end up with 1000x.

  • -1

    Problem with the plastic design. Good thing Sony is acknowledging it.

    • Should wait for Ver 2.0 IMO.

    • This has nothing to do with the materials used, I've had a number of other high-end Sony BT headphones (MDR-1RBT MK2, MDR-1ABT and MDR-100ABN) that also have a predominantly plastic construction that have a quality feel with no creaking whatsoever.

      • Then what do you suggest the problem is? There is a comment below contradicting your experience as well; the creaking has been a known issue with the 1000mdrx.

        • The design of this specific model, rather than the materials.

  • Well if that happens in here, I guess it will be dealt with ACCC initiated by someone from here or WhirlPool lol

  • +3

    Wow you'd think $500+ headphones would be a bit sturdier

  • I went to the Sony store to try out bluetooth headphones and was immediately turned off these due to the creaking and groaning from the plastic headband. This was from a new unit taken from the display case. I was shocked because Sony usually have good quality control, and this was not acceptable in headphones of this price. I was more impressed by the sturdiness of the low-end MDR-ZX330's. They lost out on a more expensive sale as a result.

  • For the first time I feel like I lucked out by getting the QC35s instead despite having read that the MDR1000X were better in every way. After a few weeks, I treat my QC35s like shit so if I had gotten the Sony's instead, it wouldn't even have lasted 3 months.

    • 3 days instead! Haha!

    • Or, you probably should have bought the Sony MDR-100ABN like I did. Check out the streess test in this vedeo review at 2:13 and then try doing that to your QC35's! :-)

      They have the same RRP as the Bose but have been on sale for ~$250 or even lower on occasion (just search for them on OzBargain). I have them in the same teal colour.

      • Check out the streess test

        Damn that guy's insane. Good to know there are some stretchy headphones out there though.

        However, I've tried this pair at JB before I made my purchase and can't say I like the sound quality. Have you tried the QC35 or the MDR1000X to compare?

        • I've tried the QC35 but not the 1000X. Hands down I preferred the MDR-100ABN (H.ear On) - they're actually one of the clearest sounding headphones I've ever heard, wired or wireless.

          Some reviewers have actually said that the 100ABN sounds a bit better than the 1000x. Of course, the latter has the market leading ANC and nifty features.

          EDIT: Having said that, I still prefer the low end of the MDR-1ABT and would happily put them up against any latest pair of BT headphones in terms of pure sound quality. They don't have ANC though.

          If anyone is after the best sounding BT headphones but doesn't need ANC, then check out Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless or Onkyo H500BT (yes, I said Onkyo).

  • From where you know it?

    • I am in that group.

  • Interesting, it has the same issue as Focal Spirit headphones.

  • Same thing happens with the new Sony pulse Ps3 headsets too

    • My sony playstation headset was slamdunked into the floor by my son and still fine apart from a panel that popped off and clicked back in.

      Then again i did buy the cheaper higher build quality the them expensive cheaply made junk.

  • I also have the same problem, (less than 3 months) even though i use the headphones very carefully. What can I do now?anyone with an idea?

    • You can do nothing except for contacting Sony or your reseller.

  • +1

    same here

    only 5months old, normal use, normal size head
    just happened

    email from Sony:
    "Good day!

    We were able to check photos that you've sent, unfortunately it was assessed as a physical damage unit and it will not be covered by the warranty. Other alternative solution is the trade-in discount for 15% for a regular SRP that I've offered to you during the on-set of the call to any Sony Headphone. Also just a heads-up, 15% discount cannot be applied on another discounted price. Should you wish to proceed for the trade-in discount, kindly call us back and quote reference number C-0004708900 so we could process it for you.

    Regards,

    Ray
    ref:_00D90XxjZ._500901gji2C:ref"

    https://community.sony.com/t5/Headphones/quot-unfortunately-…

    • Wowzer. What a c#$t.

  • I've read somewhere that only specific batches have this problem, does anyone have any info on that?
    I've bought a new one a couple of months ago but unsure if I should open it or sell it.

    • This would be good to know. Had my pair for about a month.

    • +1

      someone on sony forum posted a reply from Sony Germany confirming problem was with models with serials no between 5000001-5256984

      but another person recently posted his one was outside the range but still cracked.

  • ….those cracking images looks awfully familiar………..but nothing hot glue can fix(temporarily - will need to keep gluing it back once the glue unsticks though….)! bahahaha

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