How long to burn in before critiquing new Grados'?

[megawzrd]

I just got my SR80s today. About how long do you think I should wait before I really start critiquing them. They still sound a bit grainy. It seems that the hint of scratchy/distortion I heard right off is still here but slightly subdued over the few hours I have had them running. Maybe its just me but my beyer dt990s seem so much cleaner. Maybe there is something wrong with the grados or perhaps I should let them burn in for a while say 100hrs or so? I think the grado sound itself is pretty good...definately seem to be fun cans, I just wish they didn't sound a bit scratchy. Hopefully they will smooth out.

Is this an effect of the lower quality vs. say the 225s? Maybe I should have gone with the 225s to start.

Im just looking for some feedback from some grado experts here.

 

[HiGHFLYiN9]

They should start to open up at around 40 hours, this held true for both my SR-225 and MS-2.

 

[Coltrane]

Personally, I think burn in is hugely overrated and probably false...

But, for some reason my sr80s really smoothed out after a few weeks of listening. I used to be annoyed be grainy high-mids, almost like a wah-wah on the up position for you guitar players. But, it simply isnt there now, and the whole thing is pretty smooth. So I would give it 50-100 to be completely sure.

 

[sum]

I think 80-100 hours is where my RS-2s stopped changing.

 

[ebteeiii]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coltrane Personally, I think burn in is hugely overrated and probably false...But, for some reason my sr80s really smoothed out after a few weeks of listening.

Huh?

 

[VR6ofpain]

10 years.





Actually Grados change pretty quickly. These K601's have change a little (~50 hours so far), but they change much slower.

 

[Coltrane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebteeiii Huh?

I am man enough to admit that my brain is FAR from flawless or accurate.

 

[kramer5150]

100 hours for my grados. Dont know about the SR80 though.

Garrett

 

[kwitel]

I agree with Coltrane-I dont put much credence in to headphone burn-in. Im sure it contributes slightly to refining the sound but not as much as everyone thinks.

I believe its more like eardrum burn-in.

Your ears get more and more used to the sound making them sound better over time.

 

[allenf]

Bending the headband plus the natural softening of the bowls over time contribute to fit/comfort and change the sound.
Personally, I'm not bothered debating exactly what causes burn-in but appreciate that the sound does change significantly and find the change agreeable.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwitel I agree with Coltrane-I dont put much credence in to headphone burn-in. Im sure it contributes slightly to refining the sound but not as much as everyone thinks. I believe its more like eardrum burn-in. Your ears get more and more used to the sound making them sound better over time.

lies.

Both my SR-80 and HF-1 mellowed out ine highest frequencies with burn in. Your ears can't get use to it when you listen to a song, then let the cans play (off your head) for 5 hours, then listen to that same song again. I don't believe the difference is huge, but some cans do change quite a bit. These K601's seem to change even more than my Grado's.

I believe it is simply related to the diaphram wearing in. THe material has to be stiffer when new, and from use it 'breaks down' a little, causing the drivers sound to change slightly.

 

[AndyRx7]

When I first got my SR-80's (about 4 years ago), I was initially disappointed with the sound (as I recall, all grainy mids and sharp highs, no bass) and contemplated returning them. After about 2 weeks, I loved them! Definitely give them a fair chance to warm up before passing judgment.

 

[Julz]

You need to burn them in for as long as it takes to read all the other threads about burn-in... so, some weeks, I'd say

 

[kramer5150]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain lies. Both my SR-80 and HF-1 mellowed out ine highest frequencies with burn in. Your ears can't get use to it when you listen to a song, then let the cans play (off your head) for 5 hours, then listen to that same song again. I don't believe the difference is huge, but some cans do change quite a bit.

IMHO regarding burn-in. the whole "Its just your ears geting used to the sound" theory doesn't make sense to me, let me explain....

I get my new RS1 Christmas morning. plug into my millet and A/B compare it to my HF1. OUCH!! RS1 mids are HOT, harsh and UNLISTENABLE compared to the HF1. And I mean that in every sense of the word. Piercing, scratchy, nails on chalkboard, MDRV6-like, Vocals have an artificial, very shouty character. Very UN-Grado like. Totally unlistenable headphone, and with noticeably less vocal warmth than the HF1.

Wrap the RS1 in a blanket, place it in a closet and play some loud dreamtheater. I DONT TOUCH IT.... I have no desire too, really they sound so bad.

A week later. Pull them out of the closet, and compare them to my HF1. wow.. Now youre talking!! That vocal shouty character is gone, relative to the HF1. Treble sparkles noticeably more than the HF1, and seems to extend just a little, giving the RS1 a brighter tone... But no where near as shouty and harsh as I remembered it compared to the HF1. Certainly they are now as listenable / enjoyable as the HF1.

Can your ears get used to the tonal character of a headphone without listening to it at all?

Garrett

 

[kwitel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain lies. Both my SR-80 and HF-1 mellowed out ine highest frequencies with burn in. Your ears can't get use to it when you listen to a song, then let the cans play (off your head) for 5 hours, then listen to that same song again. I don't believe the difference is huge, but some cans do change quite a bit. These K601's seem to change even more than my Grado's. I believe it is simply related to the diaphram wearing in. THe material has to be stiffer when new, and from use it 'breaks down' a little, causing the drivers sound to change slightly.

LOL.
lies?
take it easy brother-
more like opinions...what am I, under investigation?