Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Running sound through the headphones for 10 hours doesn't hurt them... they're correct there. No need to plug them in, however. Psychologically, it's the 10 hour wait that does it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: steve62388
I did a 1 week review of the Bose SoundLink on-ear wireless and Beats Solo 2 wireless. Out of the box the Beats sounded very good; lots of solid bass although the mids were/are a bit recessed due to the bass.

Bose out of the box sounded very flat. After about 12 hours of listening they opened up very nicely. Now have a very clear/clean soundstage and deep/clear bass. Mids are balanced as well.
 
Personal audio specialist site Headfi.org has threads that go on endlessly about the subject of burn in, believers and non-believers.
 
I scored some HKs in ear on a deal. I think they were regularly $60. I got them for 17.99 from their site a few weeks ago. When I got them, I HATED THEM. I only played them for a few minutes before I decided the sound was awful. They sounded lifeless, quite dead in fact.

I've never heard of this burn in thing. But I'm going to try it and report back. I'd love it if the sound changed for the better on the HKs.
 
Do you "burn in" your headphones.
Unless the headphones aren't used at all they burn in one way or another. I don't use a specific burn in process like playing X for Y time. I just use the headphones. They burn in with use.
 
Unless the headphones aren't used at all they burn in one way or another. I don't use a specific burn in process like playing X for Y time. I just use the headphones. They burn in with use.

Exactly. If burn-in is real, it will happen through use. If it's bogus, it won't happen.

No need to try and burn them in, it will either happen or it won't.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeepIn2U
For burn in to work, you have to listen to your headphone for the burn in period. What you are doing is burning in your brain, not the headphone. You see, most hearing happens in the brain, and you are conditioning your brain to the new headphone. And to do it properly, you have to play Barry Manilow.

Reminds me of a Seinfeld episode about muffin tops. You can't just bake muffin tops - you have to bake whole muffins and then remove the bottom.
 
OK here are my findings...

2 exact set of HK in ear bought at the same time from HK.

One used for about 10 mins, another brand new still with the cord secured by a tie.

The one that had been opened I tried and didn't like at all so I decided to just put them both away just in case I needed an extra set.

I played 12 hrs of music into the previously opened pair and left them at home on my desk.

When I returned last night I tried out the 'burned in pair'. They did sound better than I remembered.

Then I tried the non 'burned-in' pair.

They both sounded the same. Better than I remembered initially in December.

I think it is a brain thing. Also, users need to make sure they seat the headphones properly in their ear...on their ear, or over their ear. To make sure they receive the best sound consistently.
 
Headphones/earphones don't burn in but your ears do.
Just keep using them if you like the initial sound, your ears will adjust.
 
I did a 1 week review of the Bose SoundLink on-ear wireless and Beats Solo 2 wireless. Out of the box the Beats sounded very good; lots of solid bass although the mids were/are a bit recessed due to the bass.

Bose out of the box sounded very flat. After about 12 hours of listening they opened up very nicely. Now have a very clear/clean soundstage and deep/clear bass. Mids are balanced as well.

yeah, I love those Bose Soundlink on-ear wireless. GREAT headphones. Mine sounded great out of the box, so if they sound even better after 12 hours, I'll be even happier with my purchase.
 
I used to burn in my headphones ;) but not the way you guys are talking about it. I think I would fall asleep if I tried to do it for 10 hours.
 
I usually plug them into my iPhone or my MacBook Pro and run audio through them for 10-20 hours. I'm 90% certain it's nothing more than the placebo effect, but I do it anyway. lol
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.