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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 2 responses by oddiofyl

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,468 posts
 

I have long believed it is your ears acclimating to the new sound.   In the case of speaker surrounds I believe that is valid but it is a short break in.   Is it even enough of a change to perceive?    Not sure about that. 

Example,   I just picked up an integrated amp.    I set it up in my main listening room.    First with my Forte and then with my Sonus Faber Concerto.   

The Forte sounded really good.  I switched to the Concerto.    Completely different presentation,   but it sounded good.   Thin compared to the Forte.    It took a while for my ears to accept the new sounds they were hearing.   Better ?  Worse?    No....just different 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,468 posts
 

I honestly just put FM on or hit repeat for a while and consider it good to go.   I'm sitting here listening to a pair of well broken in Sonus Faber with my new Cyrus i7XR. Amp.     

Sure it sounds better than day 1.  I'm using a pair of speakers  better suited than when I unboxed it.   Speakers are more or less in the proper position now .... and my ears have grown more accustomed to the change in sound.  I really don't think the amp changed ...  it was clear and detailed right out of the box 

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