breaking-in headphones?

[vier-personen]

With regards to the original question:

I think if long break-in periods of equipment were necessary, manufacturers would use this as a selling point. "No need to spend hundreds of hours breaking in Frobus brand. Every piece of Frobus gear has been pre-broken in, so you can use it right out of the box." I've got some new monitors on order and when they come in, I don't expect their sound to change over time. I hope not anyway.

Phil

that‘s a good point!

[nick danger]

I built some speakers awhile back, and the company I bought them from, madisounds, says that speakers need a break-in period.

They did seem to have a more transparent sound after several days of running, but that could just be the power of suggestion.

[monkey man]

They do, Nick.
This is a well-known fact; a bit like a motor.
Think machining, shafts and lubrication.

Actually, it might be better to think of something else.

[vier-personen]

so if I may conclude:

speakers do need a break-in period, but in general that‘s nothing to worry about and doesn‘t take forever.

[nick danger]

With speakers, they have to be audible in order to break them in. At least with headphones, you can leave them run without having to listen to them.

If you don't mind my inquiring, vier-personen, your name implies a split personality-- is that the case?

Actually, it might be better to think of something else.

I do that often enough, anyway.

[monkey man]

Actually, it might be better to think of something else.

I do that often enough, anyway.

Ha!

FWIMBW, I've often heard that one night/day of crankin' 'em breaks 'em in.
Speakers, that is.

[kgdrum]

With regards to the original question:

I think if long break-in periods of equipment were necessary, manufacturers would use this as a selling point. "No need to spend hundreds of hours breaking in Frobus brand. Every piece of Frobus gear has been pre-broken in, so you can use it right out of the box." I've got some new monitors on order and when they come in, I don't expect their sound to change over time. I hope not anyway.

Phil

that‘s a good point!

I work in pretty extreme $$ HiFi,we put together moderate to crazy Expensive $$ systems
I have broken in hundreds of pairs of speakers ranging from $300 a pair to $100k a pair, they always change w/breakin,.......................................amps,preamps, cd players and dac's as well,we do not show or evaluate new products with out proper breakin time.................
I just got my Focal Twin 6 monitors about a month ago,while they sounded good out of the box after about 100 hours they became f**king Amazing!
my hifi speakers took about 300 hours!
this is not power of suggestion, speakers loossen up,tweeters mellow,circuits caps etc... need breakin time as well
KG

[vier-personen]

If you don't mind my inquiring, vier-personen, your name implies a split personality-- is that the case?

yes - I‘m split between being a fan of dp and laibach

[monkey man]

Regarding breaking-in headphones, I'd only do it if they're tight-fitting, especially if you have disc breaks.

[kbmh]

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD600's and HD650's.
Listened to the same piece of music before the break
in, left them in another room playing a repeating CD,
and took a listen to the same piece of music and there
was a bit of a change. The sound did open up a bit and
I could tell a difference. Did I like the way it sounded
before the break in? Yep! So you can either put 'em
on or not - though I did avoid using them to evaluate
my work until I gave 'em a bit of time so what they
sound like wouldn't cloud my mixes.

[monkey man]

Just curious about something:

What's the cheapest and simplest solution to having a h'phone amp that's hot and a 70 Ohm set like my HD-25s?
I'm thinking resistor lump in the line or similar?

Concerned I'll blow 'em; even fully attenuated, the signal still creeps through.

[Phil O]

Just curious about something:

What's the cheapest and simplest solution to having a h'phone amp that's hot and a 70 Ohm set like my HD-25s?
I'm thinking resistor lump in the line or similar?

Concerned I'll blow 'em; even fully attenuated, the signal still creeps through.

I'm not sure what you're asking. Are you just looking for simple attenuation?

Phil

[monkey man]

I think so, Phil.

If that's the done thing, that is.

[Phil O]

Yeah, then a series resistor would do it, but it's stereo so you'll need two. If they're 70 ohms headphones, a 70 ohm resistor would bring you down about 6 db. Adjust to taste.

Doesn't your headphone amp have volume controls?


Phil

[monkey man]

Yeah, then a series resistor would do it, but it's stereo so you'll need two. If they're 70 ohms headphones, a 70 ohm resistor would bring you down about 6 db. Adjust to taste.
Doesn't your headphone amp have volume controls?
Phil

I was concerned about transients, capacitance etc, as I know nothing about this stuff really.
The fear was that specialist resistors'd be required.

It's a Mackie h'phone amp, so it's cookin' with nitrous; they really do crank these things.
1/6 volume on the pot's already getting into uncomfortable territory for me.
In addition, the sound isn't quite what I was hoping for, so I'd like to take the amp into its operating range a whole lot more.
I'll check back tomorrow, as I've got to run.

Thank you a ton, Phil.
Nicky