New headphone "burn in" effect

[MangoFoalix 24,961]

So, this is an interesting topic and something most people don't even care about. But for people like me that care very much in what sound the headphones I have deliver, I care about the phenomon. So, there is something called headphone "burn in" which means that after however many hours of use, the headphones start to sound more alive and better sounding. From what, I've seen this seems to be both human psychology and the actual headphones being "warmed up".

What do you guys think?

Here is a link from the actual manufacturer of my headphones on the matter: https://support.beyerdynamic.com/hc/en-us/articles/201875262-Do-I-need-to-burn-in-my-headphones-

[CheeryFox 23,821]

Yeah...you could test this but I think I'll weigh my opinion on it's not true. 

[CypherHoof 26,483]

5 minutes ago, Stormfurry said:

Yeah...you could test this but I think I'll weigh my opinion on it's not true. 

Difficult to test though as you could claim a mic ALSO has a burn-in...

[MangoFoalix 24,961]

3 hours ago, CypherHoof said:

Difficult to test though as you could claim a mic ALSO has a burn-in...

It's the same thing with speakers and other audio equipment that outputs sound.

[Jedishy 3,548]

Do you think this effect would apply to speaker systems as well? 

[MangoFoalix 24,961]

2 minutes ago, Jedishy said:

Do you think this effect would apply to speaker systems as well? 

As I said above, I said I think it also does. I'm talking about brand new systems.

[Jedishy 3,548]

1 minute ago, TwilySparky said:

As I said above, I said I think it also does. I'm talking about brand new systems.

LOL I totally missed that comment....

[CypherHoof 26,483]

6 hours ago, TwilySparky said:

It's the same thing with speakers and other audio equipment that outputs sound.

Yup. The thing is, some analogue equipment DOES have a burn in period, while components settle and so forth, but that tends to be mostly things like amps (and to a greater extent for things like valves where heating metal to white hot in a vaccuum is part of normal operation). With the sort of coil/diaphragm combo a lot of speakers use this could happen, but really to be audible it would need to be a big speaker - the amount of change you could induce in the tiny speaker a headphone uses without actually damaging it shouldn't be audible; as humans (by contrast) are very adaptable when it comes to hearing and sight, i would expect any objective change to be swamped by the subjective change of adapting to the sound curve of the headphones....

[CypherHoof 26,483]

Noting this document here - http://www.wavecor.com/WF182BD09_10_11_12_specifications.pdf

which gives pre- and post- burnin specs for 7" speakers.

[Dashy 4 Ever 4,835]

I think you might have a point there. My headphones sounded great when I first got them, but now, they sound amazing for some reason. Don't know why, but you might be onto something there.

[Cash In 22,350]

Huh. I was never knew that this could even happen. Then again, I may just have just never noticed it.

Edited March 21, 2023 by Cash_In

[Dreambiscuit 9,818]

I don’t doubt there could be a burn-in for headphones or anything electronic for that matter. When I got a new TV a few years ago it started off with an average picture, but it soon got broken-in and became a really nice set. It’s very sharp and beautiful now. It’s nice to know that other electronics can do the same thing. It gives hope for people like me who can't afford top of the line stuff. 

[kinda deleted 224]

That was a bad idea. Look what happened to my headphones!



[Lucky Bolt 35,063]

Hmm...interesting but I've never noticed it. But I don't notice a lot of things, so....

[Cyclone 1066 3,619]

It's a real thing. Most audio equipment is that way. I know car stereo speakers usually come with a break in procedure before they are allowed to go back to the customer, loosen the rubber in the cone seal and such. I mean, headphones use the same principal on a smaller scale so yeah, I believe it.

[Thuja 3,659]

I wouldn't be surprised, I believe it.  My earbuds sounded ok when I first got them, now they sound better.  My earbuds have a fondness for slowly slipping out while I'm at the gym though!!