its not a popular opinion, but what OP is saying is completely viable.. simple put cheap cables are made cheaply and who knows what there using for solder/wire materials and overall craftsmanship.
I sit there and half ass a cable hardly bothering to even make sure its made correctly. Then it will sound like complete garbage. I take my time and make a cable properly then it will sound better.
Things are never as cut and dry as the community wishes them to be.
can try and let them dry for the next week or two but chances are there toast if you tried to turn them on so soon after they went thought the wash.
Sound is very subjective and you might want to see what sorta sound signature your OG headphones had. Then try to get a similar sound signature.
Example my Fostex TR-xx Ebony's are complete base cannons and will rumble your jaw if your not careful.
While my T1's have a much more Treble heavy sound that I enjoy.
Then there are more neutral headphones like my Atticus and Amirons (still a bit bass heavy).
Basically you used click bait tittle and are throwing a fit, because you bought something from another country. "Yes United States isn't Canada" Don't like how the company is handling it.
Then next time buy something locally that way you can go in and physically demand a new product. Then when they refuse and give you a refund. Then you can throw your tantrum in person.