Headphone Spare Part Search: Is There a Spare Part Available?
The headband snapped. The headphones took a dive onto the floor, the dog decided they were a chew toy, or you sat on them on the couch in the dark. In the end, the cause isn't the important part, what matters is whether it can be fixed. Good news: at Valco, we don't throw headphones away over one broken spot.
Why do headbands break?
Drops onto hard floors are the most common cause. Plastic can take a lot, but physics is physics. The hinge point of the headband takes the worst of the impact, since that's where the twisting force lands. In winter cold, the plastic gets more brittle, so a December floor encounter can be fatal.
Sometimes the headband just wears out over time too, if the headphones get heavy daily use and always get bent at the same spot. That's normal wear and tear as well.
Is a spare part available?
Short answer: probably yes. Longer answer: it depends on the model and the timing.
- VMK25 and VMK25.2 – spare parts are usually available for these, since they're the flagships of the current lineup
- VMK20 and VMK15 – spare parts are often available, but it varies
- Older models – this is case by case, stock situations change
We keep spare parts in stock specifically so that working headphones don't have to get buried over one broken piece of plastic. That's what sets us apart from the big companies who think "buy new ones" counts as customer service.
How to proceed
- Take a photo of the break – a clear close-up showing exactly what's broken
- Dig up your order number – found in your order confirmation or your order history in the webshop
- Send both to info@valco.fi – also mention your headphone model
- Wait for a reply – we'll tell you whether it's a warranty case (0 €) or a repair package (fixed 69 €), and how to proceed
If the headphones are still under warranty (24 months from purchase) and it's a material or manufacturing defect, it's covered under warranty. But if the headphones got acquainted with the floor of their own accord, that's a repair package on your own dime. Fair play on both sides.
If the spare part isn't in stock
Sometimes a specific part just isn't on the shelf at that moment. Even then, it's worth asking, our service team in Kajaani is a resourceful bunch and might find a solution. Worst case, the part gets ordered separately, which stretches the wait a bit.
We're at least not going to tell you to toss out working headphones. That would be dumb, and it doesn't fund the Death Star. Selling you new ones would fund it just fine, but we have principles. At least today.
What about earbud tips?
The NL25 comes with both memory foam and silicone tips in several sizes. If a tip rips or goes missing, send a message to info@valco.fi – we handle extra tips through customer service. Third-party universal tips work too, as long as the size is right.
