Man you got me thinking about this one thing - custom gifts are basically waterproof against bad taste. Like if someone picks out a generic sweater for me there's a solid chance it's ugly or not my style, but if they put my name on something I'm stuck with it and it's automatically personal no matter what it looks like. The wallet guy basically forced you into loving it just by stamping your initials on there.

Been there with a chainsaw bar. Check if the manufacturer sells an adapter sleeve, some of them make them for exactly this situation. Other option is to hit up a local machine shop and see if they can turn down the head's collar for cheap. Might cost you $20 instead of having a $200 paperweight.

Actually the thing is @phoenix_singh, you're right that price matters but even ten dollar earbuds shouldn't cut out from just walking past a bus stop. I had a pair of those basic Panasonic ones that cost less than that and they worked fine until I dropped them in a puddle. The problem isn't always the price tag, sometimes it's just a flaw in that specific pair you got.

Salting early is the ONLY way to go.

Man, that's the gospel truth. Had a guy teach me to tin stranded wire before soldering and it changed my whole game.