I am looking for a pair of headphones. I was thinking of the Sony MDR-7506, but the little bit of exposed wire has me concerned. I try to be good to my gear, but sometimes i'm not and i just can foresee broken wires. So, what would be a pair as good in quality that has no exposed wires?

I've had the same pair of 7506 for over 10 years now without issue. I'm on my 3rd set of ear pads. I have not had any issue with the wires. Highly recommended!

Another 7506 user here. I haven't had a problem with the wire yet (knock on wood, I've got a remote shoot where on Angel Island here in SF tomorrow, watch, just cause I said that I'll pop one of the wires off..LOL). Honestly I do take care of my equipment but headphones are one of those things that do take a lot of abuse. I do a know a lot of guys that use the Senn HD-280s. I don't think they have any exposed wires.

-Garrett

Another 7506 user and my main ones are 10 years old now, I also have two pairs of the MDR V700DJ cans which are more robust for outside work.

Sennheiser HD 25-1 II - they are a lot more efficient than the Sony's.

The cables are steel and my pair of the Mk.I version have lasted over 20 years and I only replaced the earpads about 4 times as they wore out and the stick-on headband pads lasted 20 years before they needed replacing.

7506s here for over 10 years also. I've replaced the earpads finally (good move) and the little plastic clips that hold the wires in place on the phones broke but a little piece of gaff tape wrapped around has held the wires safely for about 3 or 4 years now. I'm not as gentil as I could or should be with the phones and they are the last thing I worry about.

Even if the wire isn't exposed, there is still some small wire in use. It can break just as easily if it's located inside a pivot, as it can if it's exposed.

I've had my HD-280s for at least ten years. There's a bit of gaffer tape on the headband where the plastic started to fail. But never a bit of trouble with connectivity.