Senn HD800 300 hour surprise

Use velour cushions, they sound much better with this chair!

 

Another reason the break-in group isn't logical: how can you possibly measure this solely by hours used? IF break in were real and that big of a difference maker, things like volume level and signal (ie bass puts higher excursion on the driver, treble makes the driver move faster, etc) would have just as much of an effect and 'x hours of break in' would be meaningless and random among a group of people.

 

I have heard massive difference between brand new k701 new and after 300hours, heard it with new amps, speakers, ect.
all I know is I wont evaluate any gear if its not at least been played for 300hours.

 

Did you hear the two k701s side by side? If so, it just be that they do sound different, but not because of burn in. Variations in the materials and build can make 2 headphones of the same model sound different. Or it could be a number of other factors already described in this thread.

Or did you mean you heard the k701 brand new, and then listened to it after 300 hours of use? If so, it could be any of the aforementioned factors affecting your perception of the sound.

Also, the fact that you say that there's a "massive difference" makes it sound more like placebo. If anything, it'd be a subtle difference. Not saying burn in does or does not exist (because I don't know); I'm saying that based on what you've said, there's no way for you to be certain.

 

I used to think my Nighthawk burnt in. It was just me getting used to the reverb sound. It was evident going back to them after listening to my LCD-2s then returning.

When people say a headphones needs over 100 hours play time it gets a bit ridiculous. Ear pads change the sound the most after use and that alters the sound slightly.

Different times of the day and mood can affect sound. I find when I'm stressed my headphones will sound a bit edgy, after long relaxing sessions that's when they tend to sound there best. There's so many factors here but driver change isn't one of them IMO

 

Yeah, it was probably my brain. Every now and then it needs re-burn if I haven't used HD800 for a few weeks.

I used to work in a spectroscopy lab for few years. Some of the older guys there were working on what is called a 'spectral burn' at their time in early 90's . Essentially by focusing laser beam into a fluorecent medium of certain materials for long periods of time the material ceases to be sensitive to the laser wavelength used.
Universal phenomena between energy and material. Lol.

 

Hands,

Thanks for the huge laugh this AM!!