I tried searching to see if I could find previous threads about this claim. Has no one done the simple experiment of comparing a new pair to a *burned in* pair of phones? I can find any number of of accounts of "these headphones sounded different after X period of time", but no common sense comparisons of a used set to a new pair. I don't rule out the possibilty of a *burn -in * changing the sound of a set of headphones, I just get frustrated when I see so little critical thought applied to claims of this nature. Wasn't sure about which forum to post this, but *Use Yor Ears* seemed right.
Kerry M
Headphone Burn - In?
Moderator: cgarges
- Bwanasonic
- pluggin' in mics
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:37 pm
- Location: Arlington, MA
- Contact:
- joelpatterson
- carpal tunnel
- Posts: 1732
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2003 5:20 pm
- Location: Albany, New York
For what it's worth, the very reputable headphone retailer HeadRoom (headphone.com) doesn't seem to care much about "burn-in". They have a 30-day return policy on all their merchandise, assuming the headphones are in like-new condition; "burn-in" doesn't count against that.
I'd bet that most people's claims of the effectiveness of "burning-in" are largely psychological, both out of expectations and unfamiliarity with the particular model of headphones. When I moved from my egregiously bassy Sony's, I thought the Grado SR-80's were a bit tinny. However, I'd bet that it was me being accustomed to the Sony's over any kind of "burn-in" process. The Grado's sounded perfectly normal to me after a day's use.
While not absolutely analogous, here's an article on loudspeaker break-in. Long story short: Break-ins happen quickly ("Required break in time for the common spider-diaphragm-surround is typically on the order of 10s of seconds and is a one-off proposition, not requiring repetition") and usually before it reaches the consumer, and you won't see many changes in the longer term.
I'd bet that most people's claims of the effectiveness of "burning-in" are largely psychological, both out of expectations and unfamiliarity with the particular model of headphones. When I moved from my egregiously bassy Sony's, I thought the Grado SR-80's were a bit tinny. However, I'd bet that it was me being accustomed to the Sony's over any kind of "burn-in" process. The Grado's sounded perfectly normal to me after a day's use.
While not absolutely analogous, here's an article on loudspeaker break-in. Long story short: Break-ins happen quickly ("Required break in time for the common spider-diaphragm-surround is typically on the order of 10s of seconds and is a one-off proposition, not requiring repetition") and usually before it reaches the consumer, and you won't see many changes in the longer term.
-
- TapeOp Admin
- Posts: 1665
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 11:50 am
- Location: Portland, OR
- Contact:
From a physics standpoint, any moving part is going to wear over time. A speaker is a moving part. Many times speakers do not blow from one isolated incident, but from use over time. Same with headphones.
But a burn in time? Doubt it.
But a burn in time? Doubt it.
Larry Crane, Editor/Founder Tape Op Magazine
please visit www.tapeop.com for contact information
(do not send private messages via this board!)
www.larry-crane.com
please visit www.tapeop.com for contact information
(do not send private messages via this board!)
www.larry-crane.com
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests