[OCNHC] Guide to burning in your headphones! - Overclock.net

phospholipid · 10-18-08

What's "burn-in?"

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Burn-in is the process by which components of a system are exercised prior to being placed in service (and often, prior to the system being completely assembled from those components).When speaking of headphones, ‘burn in’ is the term used for the settling oft he design parameters of the diaphragms into their intended state. The physical process is that the diaphragms loosen up through use and eventually reach a point that could be considered final. A similar situation is breaking in a new pair of shoes.

Why do people choose to burn in a new pair of headphones shortly after getting them?

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Fresh out of the box, a pair of headphones may not sound as good as a well used pair, as the designers have intended. Often, people want their headphones to sound the way that they are intended as soon as possible. Most people don’t want to wait for weeks or months of regular use, so the choice is to expedite burn in by getting the process over with in the first week of ownership. Others choose to listen to their headphones as they change over the burn in period.

What's the best method to burning headphones in?

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Just plug them in.

Play music back at regular volume, any songs you want. The same one song will burn them in just fine if you place it on loop, or make a long, crazy play list.

How long should I burn in my headphones?

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It takes 50+ hours to burn most average [sub $80 headphones] in. Most other pairs of headphones take 100+ hours. Just sit, and listen to them change. If you can't wait and want them to sound good, just let them play on loop all night.

Should I use Pink Noise, or other random noises?

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You DON'T need pink noise. Pink noise WILL NOT make your headphones sound different from other headphones burnt in.

What do I do with my headphones while they are burning in?

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You can set them on a table, put them in a sock drawer, put them under some pillows, or put them on your head. The best thing is to listen to them as if they weren't burning in, that way you can hear the sound evolve!

Do I have to burn in headphones?

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No. Time "burns" them in anyways.

Is there a wrong way to burn in my headphones?

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Yes. Playing music are far to high levels can blow out your drivers. Play your music at regular volumes.

Thanks! [more info, pics, and candy to be added.]

Eek · 10-18-08

Thanks for this guide, clarified alot of things for me. +rep.

NFF · 10-18-08

this should be stickied.

DetonatorLoki · 10-19-08

I find 150+ for senns and 80+ for ATH to get the best sound from them.
Yeah your right, any song with a decent amount going on will suffice on repeat.

Nice guide, can't wait for the pictures

phospholipid · 10-19-08

Updated.

Danylu · 10-19-08

Wow I never knew this.

Explains to dad to let me have iTunes running in the background whilst doing homework.

lol.

How do we know when they have burnt in enough?

Rep+

phospholipid · 10-19-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danylu

Wow I never knew this.
Explains to dad to let me have iTunes running in the background whilst doing homework.
lol.
How do we know when they have burnt in enough?

Rep+

Most people don't notice to be honest, but audiophiles [people who are super picky about the way music sounds] will note the way headphones sound out of box vs. after 100 hours of playback. There's no way to tell exactly when a headphone has reached its optimum playback, but they sound better than ever. Depending on the headphones you own, if you're at 100+ hours, their burnt in. Only high end cans take 150+ plus and some finicky cans take 300+ hours [AKG 701's to name one].

Danylu · 10-19-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by phospholipid

Most people don't notice to be honest, but audiophiles [people who are super picky about the way music sounds] will note the way headphones sound out of box vs. after 100 hours of playback. There's no way to tell exactly when a headphone has reached its optimum playback, but they sound better than ever. Depending on the headphones you own, if you're at 100+ hours, their burnt in. Only high end cans take 150+ plus and some finicky cans take 300+ hours [AKG 701's to name one].

Ah well, its worth a go. I have Razer gaming headphones, are they high end? lol

I hope this increases bass.

free bump

mortimersnerd · 10-19-08

Nice, this is useful.

jtypin · 10-19-08

i have these 20$ koss's burnt in like hell then

yep it says audiophile, no i do not have 100$ to spend on headphones like you guys haha but i think almost 500 hours is on these baby's and they still work, they sound a bit richer to considering how sticky the bass felt, it did not flow as well as it did now. AKA: stoped close to immediately

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[OCNHC] Guide to burning in your headphones!

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