How does the cold affect headphones?

[steinburger1109]

It's getting a little more chilly here in Chicago, and I was wondering if there's any major risk to using my cans outside when it starts being really cold (like 0-10F). As usual google turns up a grab bag. While I remember from my high school chemistry class why using batteries in the cold isn't good for them, I can't think of how the cold might affect my headphones.

[CrowdAds]

[Satellite_6]

Your headphones will no longer sound warm and musical.

I wouldn't worry about it.

[Marvin the Martian]

I would think that closed headphones would be all right, as the internals would get some of your body heat. I wouldn't wear my Grados while out snowblowing though.

[JK98]

While theoretically it might stiffen up the drivers a small amount, while you are wearing the headphone the drivers probably won't get that cold. So I doubt you will notice a difference. I never heard of permanent damage to headphones from the cold.

In cold weather your player should be under your coat next to your body. Never leave a player in parked car in very cold weather. The battery could freeze and be permanently damaged. The display could also be permanently damaged with cold enough weather. When walking around outside, if you have your player in an outer coat pocket, while the battery probably won't get cold enough to freeze causing permanent damage, the chemical reactions creating power will slow down, and the battery might not put out enough power for the player to play. This will reverse when the battery warms up.

[steinburger1109]

Thanks guys, I figured as much.

[The DarkSide]

It'll give your ears some warmth,...

[Brett_val]

I remember a thread on here (from last year or so) from someone from Norway or some other really really cold country; The (sort of) conclusion from that thread, as I remember it, was that you shouldn't worry about cold if it's not far too extreme. But that's probably because no one had any knowledge of anyone damaging their headphones due to cold. (which is a good thing I presume)

Still, I think/feel that the temperature difference when stepping outside (warm home -- suddenly cold outside) can have an effect on the speakers somehow. But I don't really act to it and use them anyway, like JK98 said, bodyheat probably helps.

I guess when it starts snowing I'll put my M50's in their bag .