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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2009 11:17:44 GMT
Has anyone managed to measure the frequency response characteristics of the same pair of headphones new and old in order to compare?
I have always thought that burn was subtle but with the Sennheiser px100 and the Porta Pro, the effects are huge.
It was Pinkie who got me started with his recommendation for the Porta Pro. I have had one for a few years and always found them to be too heavy in the bass.
So, I got another pair and suddenly, more treble, less bass and a nicer headphone. The old pair sound positively flabby and quite nasty in comparison. I suspected some tweaking could have gone on.
Next, I have been sent a batch of Senn PX100's. They all sound the same. BUT - in comparison to my older Senns they are all much more clean sounding. More treble and less bass.
Once again, less flabby!!
So is burn in another word for wearing them out? In my opinion, if this is burn in that I'm hearing, both headphones have become worse with time in direct comparison with a new pair.
That is worrying if your new headphones are expensive, because I am definitely NOT hearing improvements with time with these two babies.
Ian
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toad
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Post by toad on Feb 21, 2009 12:21:52 GMT
Bedding in cans to me has always resulted in a tighter more punchy bass. A smoother midrange and a sweeter clearer treble. Maybe your old cans really were worn out? Did you use them a lot?
Also there's the old saying "don't confuse different with better"
It takes your ears time to adjust to a different sound. Try wearing the old cans for an evening or two and then try the new cans for an evening or two.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2009 12:47:56 GMT
Thanks Toad.
It's funny that both headphones have gone the same way. They may well be worn out!!
They are all listenable but I don't care for the bloat I can hear in both the old PX and the Porta Pro. (Especially as I use AT headphones as my main listening headphones)
I wonder whether the 'fat' bass is the result of burned in headphones on the porta pro.
Just a bit worrying if you (like me) have the Senn 600 and 650 which are already bassy type cans which could become even more bassy and bloated with time.
I wonder whether 'burn in' always improves headphones now!
Ian
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toad
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Post by toad on Feb 23, 2009 16:26:55 GMT
Well I suppose there must be a point were the bedding in stops and wearing out begins but where that point is I have no idea. Maybe one of the long standing members with more experience in these matters than us can give us an idea.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2009 20:23:12 GMT
toad I don't know about today, but many speaker manufacturers used to give instructions about "bedding in" their speakers. I think the same would be needed for the stiff surrounds of some headphone drivers ? SandyK
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toad
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I am the Super Toad, the Original Toad, the Whole Toad and nothing BUT the toad.... don't forget it!
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Post by toad on Feb 24, 2009 12:19:27 GMT
I presume they must bed in over 10s, 100s, or even possibly 1000s of hours. I presume they then sound at their best for some considerable time and then at some point they must start to degrade. How long that takes is beyond my ken.
To be honest, prior to putting them in storage, I had not noticed my main speakers degrade and I've had them for 20 0dd years. Maybe headphones are less resillient. Maybe not...
There again I haven't noticed my ears degrade and yet they must have... LOL
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2009 18:54:55 GMT
I would not know where to start! Are we talking plastic deformation of the materials, unforseen conditions, improper use, improper materials, fatigue failure, etc. I don't know. All I know is that my older headphones sound worse than the new ones. (honestly) Not different but fat and bloated. The px100 and the Porta Pro seem to sound worse than the new versions. Has some quiet tweaking been going on or is this supposed to be the benefit of 'burning in'? I don't play them that loud so I doubt that improper use comes into it and I definitely haven't used them for any other naughty activities. Improper materials? Could be if they don't hold up to to three years heavy use. If this is a characteristic of headphones in general, then no wonder the Sennheiser bloat gets a mention because they're pretty bloated when they're new!! Ian
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