Burn in vs perception


Posting here in speakers, but could probably go in any of the forums. Question of the night: how much of burn in of components is actually burn in of our perception? That is, is burn in partly us becoming accustomed to a change in sound.
 

I’m listening to my SF Amati Traditions that at first I found a bit strident, but I now find lush, dynamic, and generally brilliant. I bought them as 1-year old demos so theoretically they should have been played enough to be broken in. I haven’t changed anything in my system—I have been working on my room with more stuff, but that’s it.

Sometimes reviewers or arm chair audiophiles (me) will state that said component needs to be plugged in and left alone for weeks until it gels with the system. Could this simply be our own perception burn in OR is something real happening here?

For speakers I can buy it (woofers need to loosen up and all), but I almost always buy used, and I almost alway a) find a difference of a new component (good or bad), and b) in time, I couldn’t tell you what the change was. Maybe just me, but our brains are pretty good level setters.

I willing to bet this can be a large part of “burn in”.

 

 

w123ale

Showing 1 response by johnfritter

I won't argue as I am but a simple idiot. 

I will say this though. If anyone really wants an answer to this. I found it amazingly simple. Build yourself a headphone amp. Say something simple like a Bottlehead Crack. If you don't notice a huge night and day type difference from hour 1 and hour 20. I don't know what to say. I will never say I have a great ear. I can hear but also have some hearing issues. 

After that experience I no longer argue. In my experience I can't deny, it is real. 

Cheers.

J.F.