Focal headphones — Broken or damaged headband

Focal headphones — Broken or damaged headband

We understand how frustrating this is

A broken headband on a premium pair of headphones is incredibly disappointing — especially when it happens through normal everyday use. The good news is that Focal headband faults have a clear repair path, and many are covered under warranty.

This article will help you identify the type of damage, understand your warranty position, and get the right resolution as quickly as possible.

Step 1 — Identify what's broken

Headband damage on Focal headphones falls into a few common types. Identifying yours helps us get the right part ordered immediately. Take a close look and find the description that matches:

Type A — The slider or length adjustment has cracked

The plastic mechanism that lets you adjust the headband length has cracked or split, usually at the point where plastic meets metal. The headband arm may no longer stay in position or feels wobbly.

  • Most commonly seen on: Focal Elegia, Focal Celestee
  • This is a known weak point on these models — we see it regularly and have a clear resolution

Type B — The headband arm has snapped

The arm of the headband itself has cracked or broken, usually at the joint between the metal and plastic sections.

  • Most commonly seen on: Focal Elegia, Focal Elex, Focal Clear MG

Type C — The ear cup has come loose from the headband

The plastic housing around the swivel hinge connecting the ear cup to the headband has cracked or broken away, causing the ear cup to detach, wobble, or hang loose.

  • Most commonly seen on: Focal Bathys ANC, typically after 18–30 months of use

Type D — The headband support bracket has snapped

The plastic bracket that connects the ear cup to the headband arm has snapped cleanly. The headphones may be unwearable.

  • Most commonly seen on: Focal Bathys ANC

Tip: Take photos before contacting us. Clear photos of the break point make a big difference to how quickly we can process your case. A few angles showing the damage helps us identify the part and assess warranty eligibility without needing the headphones in hand first.

Step 2 — Understand your warranty position

Focal headphones carry a 2-year warranty from the date of original purchase. Headband failures that occur during normal use within this period are generally covered.

Usually covered under warranty:

  • Gradual cracking at the slider joint from normal use
  • Swivel hinge housing cracking without any impact
  • Headband arm fracture within normal use patterns
  • Failure within 30 uses on a new pair (any model)

Usually not covered:

  • Damage from dropping the headphones onto a hard surface
  • Visible bend or impact marks on the headband arm
  • Damage caused by modification or non-approved repair attempts
  • Headphones purchased more than 2 years ago

Not sure if you're covered? Contact us anyway. Australian Consumer Law provides additional protections beyond the stated warranty period for major failures. Even if your headphones are out of warranty, we may be able to help — we assess every case individually.

Step 3 — Your repair options

Option A — Warranty replacement or repair (most common)

If the damage is covered under warranty, we'll arrange a repair or replacement at no cost to you. We cover return freight for warranty cases. What we need: your serial number, proof of purchase, and photos of the damage.

Option B — Spare parts (for the technically confident)

If you're comfortable doing basic repairs and your headphones are out of warranty, we may be able to supply the replacement headband, slider, or bracket directly at cost. Important: if your repair involves internal wiring or soldering, please contact us before attempting it — we can provide guidance and ensure you have the right information to do it safely.

Option C — Chargeable repair (out of warranty)

If out of warranty, we can still arrange a professional repair. Contact us for a quote — headband repairs are typically far more cost-effective than buying a replacement pair.

Note on parts lead times: Parts are ordered from Focal in France and typically take 4–8 weeks to arrive. We'll communicate with you throughout and can sometimes fast-track using donor unit parts.

Contact us

When you get in touch, please include:

  • Your headphone model (e.g. Focal Bathys, Focal Celestee)
  • Your serial number (on a label inside the ear cup)
  • Your proof of purchase
  • Photos of the damage
  • A brief description of when and how the damage occurred

Contact Westan Support: Email focal.support@westan.com.au or submit a ticket at support.westan.com.au. We aim to respond to all warranty enquiries within 2 business days.

Frequently asked questions

My Celestee headband broke after less than a month of normal use. Is that covered?

Yes — in our experience, headband failures within the first 30 uses with no misuse are treated as manufacturing defects and covered under warranty. Contact us with photos and your proof of purchase.

Can I use my headphones while I wait for the repair?

If the ear cup has completely detached, we'd recommend not using them to avoid further damage to the internal wiring. If it's a slider crack and the headphones are still wearable, it's generally fine to continue using them carefully.

My headphones are out of warranty. Are there any options?

Yes — we can supply parts for self-repair or arrange a chargeable professional repair. Contact us and we'll walk you through the options and costs.

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