“Washable” Headphones Aren’t Really Waterproof At All

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It almost doesn’t matter what the Urbanears Humlan headphones sound like, because however bad they are, they’ll still sound better than the pair of headphones you put through the wash cycle and killed. Why? Because the Humlans are washing-machine friendly, just like my old iPod Nano.

Actually, they’re not quite as waterproof as my old Nano (which is still going strong in the pocket of a more careful friend): contrary to the misleading PR, the Humlans only have waterproof parts – the earpads and headband cover. But that’s enough, as the grease and wax buildup on a normal pair of headphones is disgusting enough that I now play all my music from an original 1980s Hitachi “ghetto blaster,” carried on my shoulder. Sure, it’s expensive to feed it 20 D-cells per hour, but what I waste in money and the Earth’s natural resources I make up with a lack of ear infections or stinking, hobo-hair-smelling headphones.

How much for these semi-washable cans? $49, or the price of half a day’s batteries for my boombox.

Source: Urbanears
Thanks: Valerie!

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