Is it real or placebo? I think it's both. There are a couple of headphones and iems that need long periods or burn in eg my Atrios mg7. They really do sound very different compared to when I first opened the box and plugged them in. Btw mind you I disliked the sound at first and didn't use them except for burning it for a few months so placebo effect is ruled out. But then again, it's also placebo. When eg a person goes from a muddy headphone to a clear headphone, the brain adjusts to the sound and it's hard to go back to the muddy headphone and it is more likely to do with the brain than an actual effect
Just my 2 cents

lookingforiems said:

Is it real or placebo? I think it's both. There are a couple of headphones and iems that need long periods or burn in eg my Atrios mg7. They really do sound very different compared to when I first opened the box and plugged them in. Btw mind you I disliked the sound at first and didn't use them except for burning it for a few months so placebo effect is ruled out. But then again, it's also placebo. When eg a person goes from a muddy headphone to a clear headphone, the brain adjusts to the sound and it's hard to go back to the muddy headphone and it is more likely to do with the brain than an actual effect
Just my 2 cents

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I don't believe in burn in, or any of the other myths, but....
 
My first pair of T-1s were the overly bright version and I would have sold them off had the left driver not failed.
 
Beyer replaced the headphones under warranty. 
 
The second pair of T-1s had the soft headphone pad, which, btw, was a tremendous improvement, but when I plugged them in I found the replacement T-1s to sound much like my 650s. 
 
After a short while, the new T-1s developed a much more 880s type sound and have retained this sound ever since.
 
While all this was going on, my 650s continued to sound like 650s, my '03 880s continued to sound like 880s and my 701s continued to sit in a large zip lock bag in the drawer with all the stuff I don't use.
 
Go figure ! 

xnor said:

The way you put it is condescending and pretentious...

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Issues of PERSONAL wealth or economics aside, I've pondered that audiophiles in general typically have more to spend on this sort of thing. I know there are exceptions.

davidj1973 said:

Issues of PERSONAL wealth or economics aside, I've pondered that audiophiles in general typically have more to spend on this sort of thing. I know there are exceptions.

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Audiophiles don't need to spend too much if they make informed purchase decisions though

kamijoismyhero said:

Audiophiles don't need to spend too much if they make informed purchase decisions though

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Very rare for newbies though haha

davidj1973 said:

Issues of PERSONAL wealth or economics aside, I've pondered that audiophiles in general typically have more to spend on this sort of thing. I know there are exceptions.

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Babyboomers were the beneficiaries of technology development that brought music to the masses. Music has been part of my life since I was 5. Probably earlier but I remember getting my portable record player for my 5th birthday and I've had a music system of some kind ever since.

baxide said:

  Why? The issue in question is whether I am financially capable of being able to afford to have more than one of the same item for testing purposes to determine if burn in exists or not. Well I am able to afford the stuff and spend my hard earned wages whichever way I please. Nothing pathetic about that. More like jealousy from your end.

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Well, no. The issue was burn-in, which devices it really applies to, and which ones do not burn in. Somehow it became a crass, condescending remark about your finances, and your inflated ego. My point about why people are unable or unwilling to spend more money was completely lost on you. You'd rather advertise why you can just buy whatever you want. In fact, you claim to buy TWO of whatever you want, just so you could mystically argue about burn in at some point in the future.
 
See, I'm not buying your story, bro. Whether you have a big wallet or not is just a manifestation of your ego. What you're really trying to do is convince us that you have enough spare change laying around so you can leave half your gear in a closet. Right. Just so you can pull it out one day to see if things sound better? LOL. I call bullsh*t.
 
I'm not jealous of you man. I know you're full of it. I feel sorry for you.

I suggest that we get back on topic.

krismusic said:

I suggest that we get back on topic.

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^ THIS.

Originally Posted by UmustBKidn /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
<snip>
 
I call bullsh*t.
 
<snip>

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+1

I feel it's 50% real break in and 50% you becoming acclimated to them.

scottosan said:

  I feel it's 50% real break in and 50% you becoming acclimated to them.

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I tend to agree with something like this. I haven't noticed burn-in on any of my headphones. Not saying it isn't real or anything, but I don't think it has a huge impact on sound like some might think, but rather what affects the sound more is the listener becoming accustomed to the sound of that particular headphone.

I happened to have two HD600 tonight (other one going to be shipped tomorrow). One is old HD580 upgraded with HD650 grills and cables, another one is brand new HD600.
I tested them with same headband length and using same earpads to compare the sound.
 
They sounded same. Even after several years, drivers -I mean, those well-made drivers- do not degrade nor change drastically. The reason we still have old stuffs like K340 still going around strong.
 
That said, most of those burn-in are caused by psychological and earpads being adjusted/degraded to one's head. Simply replace earpads with new ones pretty much restores original sound.
 
 
I can't tell about tubes amps tho.

I a taking this from a well respected person I have had discussions with.
 
Burn in is probably has the biggest effect on capacitors.
 
Several things happen. The major thing is; during the break in period, the dielectric material (the insulating material) interacts negatively with the signal flow. The dielectric absorbs and releases energy as opposed to passing it through the capacitor. Uncooperatively, this is occurring at chaotic intervals.This sporadic interaction is changing signal flow through the capacitor. However, the dielectric material changes over time as voltage is applied to the capacitor. The voltage creates heat, and a polarized skin forms on the surface of the dielectric (called skinning).
The dielectric then has a path through which to absorb and release energy, and does so at the correct times due to the formed path. (Like a path through a forest that is traveled over and over). Also over time, as voltage is applied to the conductors (the foil) the metal tempers, creating patterns as well (electricity will take the path of lowest resistance).There are other reasons like skin effect (With an alternating current, there is a delay in the magnetic field's response to the change in current and the 'old' magnetic field tends to push the current towards the outside of the conductor. As the frequency increases, so does the effect until at very high frequencies the entire current flows in a very narrow skin on the conductor--hence the name).One other consideration is self inductance (The property of self inductance is a particular form of electromagnetic induction. Self inductance is defined as the induction of a voltage in a current-carrying material when the current in the wire itself is changing). Although there are non-inductively wound capacitors; meaning, careful attention is made to not produce inductance with the design, there is an inductance due to the alternating voltage.Every electrical component has a break in period. Some are more noticeable then others. Signal carrying components are the most obvious. It will take approximately 100 hours of operation for the capacitor to function to full performance.

scottosan said:

  I a taking this from a well respected person I have had discussions with.
 

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ACHTUNG! Alles touristen und non-technischen peepers!
 
  Das machine control is nicht fur gerfinger-poken und
  mittengrabben. Oderwise is easy schnappen der springenwerk,
  blowen fuse, und poppencorken mit spitzensparken.
  Der machine is diggen by experten only. Is nicht fur
  geverken by das dummkopfen. Das rubbernecken sightseenen
  keepen das cotten picken hands in das pockets,
  so relaxen und watchen das blinkenlights.