Sony WH-1000XM6 suffers from widespread defect, according to user reports

The plastic hinge on the Sony WH-1000XM5 was notorious for breaking far too quickly. Shortly after the launch of the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($398 on Amazon), the first reports of hinge problems have already surfaced. This specific issue, which users reported immediately after launch, does not appear to be particularly widespread. However, the headphones are still not free of problems.

The Walkman Blog was able to find at least 13 reports on Reddit, all of which describe the same defect – the plastic ring directly above the hinge breaks after prolonged use. Once this ring breaks, the adjustable headband no longer stays together, making the over-ear headphones unwearable. While the problem is not nearly as widespread as the hinge breaks seen with the Sony WH-1000XM5, the XM6 has only been on the market for just over a year, so it’s currently difficult to estimate how many headphones will be affected in a few years.

It is still unclear whether this is a material defect affecting only certain headphones or a design flaw affecting all Sony WH-1000XM6 models. As a teardown by iFixit shows, repairs are possible but time-consuming, and Sony does not currently offer replacement parts for the headphones. According to user reports, Sony is refusing in some cases to repair this defect free of charge under warranty. However, if the defect gradually affects more and more customers, Sony could be forced to launch a repair program.
 

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by u/unepmloyed_boi in SonyHeadphones