The headband cushion is peeling, tearing, or looks like a dog's been using it as a chew toy. We've seen it before. The VMK25 headband cushion is one of those parts that takes the hardest beating – it presses against your head every time you listen to music, podcasts, or sweet, sweet silence. Sometimes it gives up.
And if it gives up for the second time, we totally get the frustration. Nobody wants to be shipping headphones back and forth like they're pen pals.
Why does the cushion break down?
Cushions are wear parts. They deal with sweat, skin oils, temperature changes, and mechanical stress every single day. Over time, the surface material starts to deteriorate and flake. That's normal – just like shoe soles wear out.
But it's a different story if the cushion breaks down way too early or repeatedly in the same spot. That could be a material or manufacturing defect, and that's covered by warranty.
Roughly speaking, here's how it breaks down:
- Warranty issue: The cushion detaches, tears at the seam, or structurally fails within 24 months of use. Especially if the same fault reoccurs after a repair.
- Normal wear: A cushion that's been used for over a year starts flaking or deteriorating on the surface. Annoying, but that's life.
- Your bad: The dog ate it, the kid ripped it, the cushion got caught in the car door. We've got a repair kit for those.
Here's what to do
- Take a photo of the broken cushion. Preferably one where the damage is clearly visible. It doesn't need to be artistic – just good enough so Jasse and the service team can see what's wrong.
- Dig up your order number. It's in the order confirmation in your email. If you can't find it, at least tell us when and where you bought them.
- Send a service request to info@valco.fi. Attach the photo and order number to the message.
- Wait for a reply. Our team will look at the photo and tell you straight up whether it's a warranty repair or not. We don't mess around – if the fault is on us, we'll sort it out.
If your headphones have already been in for service once for the same issue, mention that in your message. A recurring fault in the same product is important info for us, and we'll treat it accordingly.
If warranty doesn't cover it
If the cushion has worn out normally or the warranty period has expired, you can buy new cushions or a repair kit. The headband cushion is a replaceable part, so the repair won't cost you an arm and a leg.
If the warranty expired just barely – we're talking weeks, not years – drop us a message anyway. We're not a soulless corporation that slams the door shut the second the 24-month mark hits.
If nothing else works
Send the headphones in for service to Kajaani. Our team will fix them there. We don't throw headphones in the bin – we get them back in shape. That's one of the reasons we exist – and why the Death Star construction is progressing so slowly. All the money goes to spare parts.
