[D-EJ915]

I was just thinking, it'll be funny when somebody says I burned up my headphones for 30 hours and the bass really opened up, but then...I was like...

WAIT!!...it's not burn-in!! it's break-in

my question is, where did "burn-in" come from??

 

[Demolition]

From this Anandtech FAQ:

Quote:

In semiconductor manufacturing terminology "burn-in" is a stage of the production flow after packaging in which the CPU is placed in an elevated temperature environment and is stressed at atypical operating conditions. The end goal of this is to dramatically reduce the statistical probability of "infant mortality" failures of product on the street. [...] Burn-in is designed to catch the initial failures before the product is shipped to customers...

The burn-in stage is done in chambers such as these.

More definitions of burn-in are here. They all more-or-less agree with one another.

D.

 

[acs236]

Why does "break in" make any more sense than "burn in"? I always thought they were both dead metaphors.

 

[gpalmer]

Break in is usually used with a mechanical device or activity whereas burn in is used with electrical components. I would think break in is more appropriate for headphones since I believe the primary change is the mechanical suspension of the speakers.

 

[D-EJ915]

Well...I guess you're technically "breaking" the spider on a driver when you use it, on speakers anyway...umm...that's why it makes more sense to me...

 

[eyeteeth]

I've noticed Brits say "run-in".

 

[Lisa]

The Dutch say (translated) 'play-in'. which to me makes the most sence. You let your gear play music.

Cars we 'drive-in'

 

[mikeliao]

"Play-in" and "run-in" sound so much better. Don't like to use the words "break" or "burn" in the same sentence as expensive gear.

 

[eyeteeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeliao "Play-in" and "run-in" sound so much better. Don't like to use the words "break" or "burn" in the same sentence as expensive gear.

That's the inherent violence (violence is too strong a word though) of North American culture finding it's way into slang terminology? I'm not being provocative or sarcastic.

 

[acs236]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeteeth That's the inherent violence (violence is too strong a word though) of North American culture finding it's way into slang terminology? I'm not being provocative or sarcastic.

Absolutely... Here in America, we have violent names for everything.

 

[fewtch]

In the case of the HD280 Pro, I'd burn them in by setting 'em on fire...

 

[harkamus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa The Dutch say (translated) 'play-in'. which to me makes the most sence. You let your gear play music. Cars we 'drive-in'

Yeah, but speakers are drivers...hence 'drive-in' should technically work too.