Headphone burn in TESTED! Is it real?

Summary

In this video, the creator investigates the controversial topic of headphone 'burn-in' by testing various drivers over 110 hours of use. Despite manufacturers' claims that burn-in is essential for optimal sound, the results show that any changes are negligible, well below the variation caused by simple adjustments like moving headphones on the head. The creator also suggests that pad wear has a far more significant impact on sound quality than burn-in. The video aims to debunk the burn-in myth and highlights the influence of other factors like pad condition on headphone performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Burn-in of headphones has been debated for years, with manufacturers often recommending 100 hours of burn-in time to achieve optimal sound quality.
• 🎧 The speaker tested three different drivers (Peerless 50mm, Peerless 40mm, and an old Woolf 50mm driver) to analyze burn-in effects on sound.
• 🔬 A 3D printed chassis and coupler system was used to eliminate variations caused by earpads or placement during testing.
• 📊 Placement variation was very low, with consistent measurements across multiple tests of each driver.
• ⏲️ 110 hours of continuous noise was played through the drivers, and subsequent measurements showed minimal changes.
• 🔍 Data revealed that any changes from burn-in were less significant than typical variations caused by human placement of the headphones.
• 📉 The differences between new and burned-in drivers were found to be incredibly small, often less than a fraction of a decibel.
• 🧠 The brain's adaptation to frequency response changes might account for the perception of improvement after burn-in, even if the actual sound hasn't changed much.
• 🛒 Some manufacturers may encourage burn-in because it increases the likelihood that customers won't return the headphones after a trial period.
• 🔄 The most noticeable changes in headphone sound over time are due to pad wear, not burn-in, which can drastically alter frequency response.
• 🔮 Future content will delve into how pad wear affects headphone sound, with a planned follow-up video exploring the science behind it.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic is testing whether burn-in affects the sound of headphones after 100 hours of use, and how variation in headphone measurements is influenced by burn-in, placement, and pad wear.

What is the purpose of the burn-in process according to manufacturers?

Manufacturers suggest burn-in to allow the drivers to settle and reach their 'ultimate' sound, often citing 100 hours as the necessary time for this process.

How does the video creator perform the burn-in test?

The creator uses several brand-new drivers placed in 3D-printed chassis, connects them to a coupler, plays loud noise through them for 110 hours, then measures the sound response to compare before and after burn-in.

What type of drivers were used in the test?

The drivers used were the Peerless 50mm, Peerless 40mm, and the old Woolf 50mm drivers.

Why did the creator use a coupler instead of earpads?

The coupler was used to eliminate variables like pad compression and placement changes that could affect the consistency of the test results.

What does the data suggest about the impact of burn-in on sound?

The data shows that the difference in sound between the new and burned-in drivers is incredibly small, less than the variation caused by slight changes in headphone placement on a person's head.

What could be a possible reason why companies recommend burn-in?

Companies may believe burn-in improves sound quality or that it helps customers get used to the headphones, reducing returns. Another reason is that burn-in can make a headphone sound more consistent after prolonged use.

What does the creator suggest is the more significant factor in headphone sound changes over time?

The creator suggests that pad wear, not burn-in, has a more significant effect on headphone sound, as worn pads can drastically change frequency response and comfort.

What is the significance of the placement variation data?

The placement variation data shows that slight positional changes on a person's head can cause more variation in sound than the small differences observed in the burn-in process itself.

What will the creator explore in a future video?

In a future video, the creator plans to explore the impact of pad wear on headphone sound, suggesting they will conduct tests with altered pads to see how they affect performance.