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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 1 response by ross6860

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ross6860
103 posts
 

Control systems for multi-million dollar installations don't need "burn in".  All those sensors, pickups, wires, displays, and controls appear to work just fine at start-up (unless they are bad components or mis-installed).

There may be interference, ground loops, bad connections, but never has the answer been "Just wait a week or two and it will start working properly once it burns in".

Same with aircraft or your new vehicle, especially EVs or hybrids.

Something mechanical may need "break in".   May, it depends.

There are studies out there that show the effects of conventional speaker/driver mechanical break in.  The differences are small, but measurable.  I won't link them, do your own research.

I also do not believe the Pope is infallible.

 

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