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Headphones that can handle cold weather?

I recently got a new iPod Shuflle (as a gift from one of my customers) and loaded it up with a few hundred songs and took it skiing.

The shuffle was tucked inside my jacket and was working great... and then I noticed that one of headphone wires had "snapped" - literally the plastic shattered. Oddly it worked perfectly still though I had to be care because the wires were exposed.

Now this was a first for me... it might have been a little colder than the "operating temperature" but I honestly thought that applied to the iPod itself and not the wires.

Anyway... does anyone know of good headphones that are designed to work in really cold temps? say to minus 20C?

Marc

Macbook 1.83Ghz Intel Core Duo, 2GB Ram, 250GB MyBook USB Drive Mac OS X (10.4.8) Video iPod 30GB; iPod Shuffle 2nd gen.

Posted on Jan 2, 2007 2:33 PM

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Posted on Jan 2, 2007 2:37 PM

-20°C?
The SONY Fontopia cans I have have been in sub-freezing weather and are OK.

Scott
14 replies

Jan 2, 2007 3:49 PM in response to lethal

I was born in Montana and have spent a lot of my life in the extreme cold - I used to have to sign wavers when I skied in some places because I wouldn't wear gloves/hats.

My buddy just got back from a field trip to Antarctica, and his iPod worked fine - but I don't know what cans he used.

Makes the cold more fun 🙂

Jan 2, 2007 3:56 PM in response to lethal

I recently got a new iPod Shuflle (as a gift from one
of my customers) and loaded it up with a few hundred
songs and took it skiing.

The shuffle was tucked inside my jacket and was
working great... and then I noticed that one of
headphone wires had "snapped" - literally the plastic
shattered. Oddly it worked perfectly still though I
had to be care because the wires were exposed.

Now this was a first for me... it might have been a
little colder than the "operating temperature" but I
honestly thought that applied to the iPod itself and
not the wires.



From http://support.apple.com/specs/ipod/iPodshuffle_secondgeneration.html

Environmental requirements

* Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
* Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)
* Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
* Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)

Jan 2, 2007 5:33 PM in response to 0Ari0

I have to wonder how someone spends so much time looking for nit-picky fights online.
Do you act this way when you're out in public - or are you just a wise-guy behind the screen?
Curious...

The specs I'm sure are for what temps Apple expects and supports the use of the iPod under.
If they were there to merely state that plastic may crack in the cold, they would have to raise their specs accordingly.
Headphones can work in extreme cold, the iPod's screen and if equipped with a hard drive, may likely not.

I've used electronics in severe weather such as GPS units - far below the iPod's specs without issue.
It's a guideline so when someone calls and says they can't use their iPod on top of Mt. Blanc in the winter, they can say it's beyond the design.

Did you learn yet?
Everyone I know that skis or otherwise uses their iPods in the cold, has them in a jacket pocket to keep them within the temp. ranges. Nothing wrong with that.

Jan 2, 2007 6:42 PM in response to rocketdoc2007

Wow!

I never expected such a stream of comments.

I've marked it closed - since I did get a good answer.

However, it is odd that I've been called on skiing with an iPod and using an iPod in the out of range temps.

On the first, my responsibility is to ski safely and not hit people downslope of me - headphones don't impair that. I did ski safely and enjoyed listening to my fav tunes doing so.

Second, on the day in question it was -12C. This is in the non-operating range but it was the headphone wire that snapped. It would likely have snapped even if the iPod wasn't running.

Marc

Jan 2, 2007 6:49 PM in response to lethal

Understandably, one might think that skiing and iPoding might be dangerous, as is driving while using a Blackberry, etc.
I have used it while doing a number of things that might be considered dangerous or careless, but I do keep the volume low enough to hear the ambient noises when I do.

I don't use it on a motorcycle - although I have tried it - but for skiing, rollerblading, mountain climbing, and hockey, I have.

Good luck, and keep your 'Pod warm 🙂

Jan 2, 2007 7:31 PM in response to A A P L

I have used it while doing a number of things that
might be considered dangerous or careless, but I do
keep the volume low enough to hear the ambient noises
when I do.


Your ears will thank you as well for this. It's well known in medical circles that extensive listening with earbuds with volumes that block out all background noise is a ticket for tinnitus. And, having known several people with that condition, I can say it will impair your appreciation of music!

Happy listening in 2007... and beyond.

Headphones that can handle cold weather?

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