[FullRangeMan]

HifiMan are talking about HP time life 
I always thought headphones would last forever.
I have a Sony from early 1990s that is like new.

[Letitroll98]

The key feature in the ad are the connectors.  The worst thing about my old HE 400i is the terrible connectors.  Fiddly to install, easily broken, impossible to find replacements, and they come loose very easily.  I've forgotten the name of the connector type, such is the length of time I've given up on finding alternative cables.  The new standard connectors would extend the life of the entire headphone.

[BobM]

And the ear pads. They dry out, crack, seams rip.

[FullRangeMan]

My 400 from 2012 arrived from China with the left side connector loose, what made a PITA screw the cable.
Seems the HifiMan Quality Control are non existent.

[FullRangeMan]

Referring to the text of the Ananda Nano presentation, it suggests that the drivers have a limited lifespan...which is not at all encouraging, mainly in view of the huge offer of refurbished and open-box phones in the HifiMan site, even the expensive $6000usd Susvara, resells for only $4200usd LOL

Said it, arises the question how long this life span would be?

[Letitroll98]

I love my Hifiman HE 400i headphones, but was very dismayed after I paid the full retail of $500 many years ago to see them going for $159 on their site just a couple years later.  This of course destroys any resale value and appears to be their business model across their lines.  When I thinned the herd a number of years ago I kept the phones not because they were my favorite, but because I could actually get a reasonable return on my Beyerdynamic and Grado models.  I'd never ever buy any Hifiman product at anywhere close to retail.

[FullRangeMan]

Nice your 400i is running OK after these years, the 400i is out of the line now, what they offer now are the 400SE at 109, what delivery a different sound, its said the 400se have more detailment(not my preference) and delivery a smaller soundstage than the 400i.
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/hifiman/he-400i

https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/hifiman/he400se
400SE cons:
Dip in the high-mid to low-treble weakens and veils vocals and lead instruments.
The passive soundstage performance of the HiFiMan HE400se is great. The soundstage seems wide, natural, and open. However, the headphones have some trouble creating an out-of-head experience, and audio can sound like it's coming from inside your head rather than from speakers placed in front of you.

In my experience with the 400 2012 it can delivery a better sound and out of the head sundstage with a Balanced XLR4 cable.

[AllanS]

I'd never ever buy any Hifiman product at anywhere close to retail.

I'd never ever buy any (insert manufacturer here) product at anywhere close to retail.
Fortunately it didn’t take too long to come to this conclusion, but it was still a financially painful lesson. There are of course some exceptions but, whether it’s the market or manufacturer undercutting, audio resale values are dismaying.

[FullRangeMan]

dismayed after I paid the full retail of $500 many years ago to see them going for $159 on their site just a couple years later.

You are seeing audio as a investment, in 2013/14 I paid $300 + ship + Customs duties of 100% and not complain for an HE400. HifiMan is not stagnant as Audeze, his drivers evolved and the 400/500 line prices have declined, its not HifiMan fault.

[FullRangeMan]

Found this info interesting Ananda v2/v3,
new products offer each time less:

[/mp]

Returning to FullRangeMan's question

My data points are:
Infinity electrostatic headphones bought used. Tripped and broke. Killed outright trying to repair.
Stax lamda pro.One panel got way too quiet after ~20 years. Stax says parts unobtainable.
Sony MDR-7506 inherited from a job. Bought new c.2000. Still work. Fabric showing wear.

Hope this helps,
 

[FullRangeMan]

How long is the warranty in US for a/v electronics?
Thanks in advance.

[AllanS]

Warranty periods depend on the manufacturer and product.  Schiit is either 2 or 5 years depending on product line (aligned w/ internal vs external power supply), PS Audio is 3 years, NU Prime is 1 year, Bryston is famously 20 years.  Denafrips is 3 years.

[FullRangeMan]

There is no Consumer Law to protect custumers?
To say a minimum warranty time?

[AllanS]

Not that I’m aware of or could find in the following Consumer Product Safety Commission.  But this regulatory group may only address how companies respond in the event of a safety related problem with their products.
https://www.cpsc.gov/

[Letitroll98]

There is no Consumer Law to protect custumers?
To say a minimum warranty time?

No sir.  There are various government agencies addressing product safety, others addressing recalls, counterfeit products, etc.  There are also many industry standards organizations that self regulate safety and durability as well as suggested warranty terms.  There's been no need of warranty legislation in a free market economy.

[FullRangeMan]

Thanks boys