Hi I have a pair of Bose earbuds, they are about two years old. I use them aprox 10 x month, maybe an hour or so at a time. Also I only use them while sitting at my computer (I don’t run with them or put an unusual amount of stress on them). Recently I noticed both earbuds chords are ripping (right on the wire where the audio wire and the actual earbud are fused). On one of the earbuds it looks like when it was manufactured, the ground wire was very tight (inside the rubber insulation) and the other wire was not as tight, causing internal stress at that point. To add to the problem the insulation is very flexible, allowing the tight chord to pull and put pressure on the loser chord, resulting with the insulation cracking and eventually breaking off which exposes the two wires inside the insulation to heavy wear and tear and eventually separation.
I also googled it and I see lots of people have this same exact problem with these earbuds. So in my opinion it’s a manufacturer defect. I do not even put the earbuds inside of the zipper case that they came with – I leave them on my desk. If I did keep them in that zipper case I believe the winding and unwinding would cause much more extensive damage, probably the earbuds would have fallen off by now.
I looked up close and I see some of the wires are starting to break off internally. From my research it looks like the ground wire is the gold color wire, and that is the wire that is starting to rip. On both speakers the gold ground wire has several torn strands. None of the blue wires on the left speaker has any torn strands yet. On the right speaker the same thing- it has a few torn gold strands but none of the red wires strands are torn yet. This is also what makes me believe that the problem is a manufacturer defect- if the problem was caused by me then chances are both sets of wires would have broken strands. But that is not the case- both speakers only have broken gold strands.
So I don’t know what I should do- I am sure if I call bose and tell them my theory they are going to tell me that the warranty is no longer covered since its over a year. Not to mention I don’t know where the receipt is. So I came up with two plans. Plan 1- I could buy a new pair of earbuds (same style) and after 20 – 25 days send the old ones back, saying that they are ripping already. Or I could do plan 2- and put some epoxy on the broken area reinforcing the wire and hopefully preventing any more broken strands. I would be fine doing that but I don’t know how it will hold, and if more strands rip with epoxy attached I will not be able to do my first plan since the epoxy will void the warranty if they see it.
Note- even with the broken strands, as of today they appear to function 100% normally. Not even an intermittent issue yet but its only a matter of time unless I do something now to prevent more damage. So what should I do? I know people are gonna say it is not ethical to buy new ones and return the old ones but I believe its even more unethical of them to not address this huge common issue that so many people are having. Does that make it right for me to do that then? I honestly believe yes- if they wont make it right on their own then I will make them make it right. The reason I purchased this earbud set was so I could enjoy them for a long time. So given that, it is very sad to see that my 99 cent earbuds that I keep in my car (which I have had much longer and put much more stress on) still perform ok and still don’t have any rips in the chord. Way to go Bose.
So I want to get other peoples opinion on what to do first, should I try the epoxy? Or try the buy new ones / return the old ones scheme? Or any other ideas?
Photos posted below
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an audio enthusiast and tech expert, I completely understand your frustration with the issues you're facing with your Bose earbuds. Based on the detailed explanation you provided, it seems like the problem you're experiencing could potentially be a manufacturer defect. It's not uncommon for wires to start ripping or breaking after a certain period, especially if there's internal stress or poor insulation.
To address your concern about the warranty, it is true that Bose may not cover the repair or replacement of your earbuds since they are over a year old. However, it's always worth reaching out to their customer support to explain the issue and see if they can provide any assistance or advice.
Now, let's discuss the two plans you came up with. While I understand your frustration and desire to take action, it's important to consider the ethical implications of your choices. Plan 1, which involves buying a new pair of earbuds and then returning the old ones after a few weeks, may not be the most ethical approach. It could be seen as dishonest and could potentially lead to consequences if discovered.
Plan 2, on the other hand, involves using epoxy to reinforce the broken area of the wire and prevent further damage. While this might temporarily fix the issue, there's no guarantee that it will hold up in the long run. Additionally, if more strands rip with epoxy attached, it might complicate the process of returning or exchanging the earbuds if necessary.
Considering these factors, I would suggest exploring alternative options before resorting to either of these plans. Here are a few suggestions:
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Contact Bose: Reach out to Bose customer support, even if the warranty is expired. Explain the issue you've encountered and express your disappointment. They might offer a solution or provide guidance on how to address the problem.
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Seek professional repair services: Look for reputable electronics repair shops in your area that specialize in audio equipment. They might be able to repair or reinforce the wires, ensuring the longevity of your earbuds.
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Consider other brands: If the issues persist and you're not satisfied with Bose's response, it might be worth exploring other brands known for their durability and quality. Research customer reviews and ratings to find earbuds that have a track record of longevity and good performance.
Remember, it's important to approach this situation with honesty and integrity. While it's frustrating to encounter problems with a product you invested in, it's always best to seek a fair resolution that respects both your rights as a consumer and the ethical considerations involved.
