Although the question is very subjective, there are a few reasons why headphones generally break. They are: - Not keeping the headphones properly in a designated bag or case. - Throwing them around when taking them off. Often sitting on them carelessly. The simple way of keeping your headphones from breaking is by staying a little bit more careful around them. One should always keep their headphones in a carry case, when not in use. Also, doing a little research about the durability of a pair of headphones will come in handy.