Topic: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not? (Read 2893 times)

Marvey · « **on:** December 29, 2011, 07:59:42 AM »

So over on HF, there were a couple of reports indicating increased bass weight on the W3000ANV as a result of burn-in: http://www.head-fi.org/t/575725/new-flagship-from-audio-technica-ath-w3000anv-50th-anniversary-headphones/195#post_7904107

I myself even kinda of felt the same way. One of the first things I did when I got the W3000 in was the measure them. Now about a month later, I re-measured them again. Note that this isn't scientific at all, but I was just curious to see if to see if there was anything in the measurements that would indicate an increase in bass. So here is goes.

The blue line is the measurement as of 12-28-2011, the yellow is the measurement after 5 minutes of music after I first got them at the end of November.

LEFT CHANNEL:

RIGHT CHANNEL:

I don't know. Seems to close to call. If anything, the treble is slightly more peaky. The thing I've always wondered is why burn-in never results in less desirable sonic traits - that is why does burn-in never seem to result in something that sounds more shitty. It's interesting that in the pro-audio world, burn-in, or at least changes in frequency response over-time is considered bad, or at the very least, not good.

While I do admit that I feel that these cans have increased in bass since when I first got them, I think it's really a matter of me adjusting to their sound over time (and also realizing these cans have a significant mid-bass hump.) The brain does a lot funny things.

LFF · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2011, 03:34:38 PM »

Burn in = ears adjusting $:-\$

rhythmdevils · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2011, 06:06:15 PM »

Quote from: purrin on December 29, 2011, 07:59:42 AM

The thing I've always wondered is why burn-in never results in less desirable sonic traits - that is why does burn-in never seem to result in something that sounds more shitty.

I've had the same thought. There's no way that something lacking any kind of measureable or scientific understanding could always have predictably good results while doing different things to every headphone. If a headphone has too much treble, it gets toned down, if it lacks bass, it gets more bass, if the bass is bloated, the bass gets tighter, if the upper mids are shouty, they get less shouty, if they're recessed/cloudy, they get more prominent and clear, etc.

That being said, the one time I heard burn in, it was pretty noticeable and I'm not sure I can say it was my mind getting used to the sound. When I first listened to the HF2 they sounded quite shoutty, strident in the upper mids, almost kind of screachy. I put them down pretty quick and then left them playing overnight. The next day I didn't hear much of this anymore. So I didn't really have time to "get used to them" plus I haven't really noticed myself getting used to odd sound signatures, if anything, they get more annoying to me over time. But it was a brief listen before I put them down, so who knows maybe I was in a bad mood.

RexAeterna · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2011, 06:35:52 PM »

also interesting thing. sound changes on your mood, the amount of rest your body had the night before,ect. all affects the auditory system and your mind. things like alcohol, drugs and pulling an all nighter will give different perception of sound due to an increase of dopamine production in the brain. that's why things that sounded bad(k701 anyone? j/k, j/k) will sound glorious drunk or tired to hell. tons of other cool things as well can happen with the human mind(sorry i don't watch tv much but when i do, it's always the science,discovery or history channel and i like reading stuff online sometimes) as well. many things can happen without us knowing. even,me, myself am never sure on things that i hear or do. that's why i try to stay open minded cause i can never be right and need correction on my faults.

Marvey · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2011, 07:56:40 PM »

Quote from: rhythmdevils on December 29, 2011, 06:06:15 PM

That being said, the one time I heard burn in, it was pretty noticeable and I'm not sure I can say it was my mind getting used to the sound. When I first listened to the HF2 they sounded quite shoutty, strident in the upper mids, almost kind of screachy. I put them down pretty quick and then left them playing overnight. The next day I didn't hear much of this anymore. So I didn't really have time to "get used to them" plus I haven't really noticed myself getting used to odd sound signatures, if anything, they get more annoying to me over time. But it was a brief listen before I put them down, so who knows maybe I was in a bad mood.

LOL, I think your brain adjusted to their sound while you were sleeping/dreaming.

Questhate · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2011, 10:03:44 PM »

How many hours? Everyone knows that you need to hit the 962 hour mark before these truly sing....

LFF · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2011, 11:45:37 PM »

Quote from: Questhate on December 29, 2011, 10:03:44 PM

How many hours? Everyone knows that you need to hit the 962 hour mark before these truly sing....

Really? I heard it was 969.... $:-\$

Questhate · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2011, 08:27:01 PM »

969??!? C'mon, Luis -- Let's not be ridiculous now!

On a serious note, it is an interesting point that the results of burn-in are always talked about in a positive light, rather than changing for the worst. I swore I heard the effects of burn-in with my first Ultrasone, but I've now chalked it up to my ears burning in, and my mood altering my perception. My favorite is when folks say, "hang in there, the burn-in will make it worse before it gets better."

If a headphone sounds harsh out of the box, I say drink enough beer to smooth it out!

LFF · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2011, 09:14:27 PM »

Quote from: Questhate on December 30, 2011, 08:27:01 PM

969??!? C'mon, Luis -- Let's not be ridiculous now!

On a serious note, it is an interesting point that the results of burn-in are always talked about in a positive light, rather than changing for the worst. I swore I heard the effects of burn-in with my first Ultrasone, but I've now chalked it up to my ears burning in, and my mood altering my perception. My favorite is when folks say, "hang in there, the burn-in will make it worse before it gets better."

If a headphone sounds harsh out of the box, I say drink enough beer to smooth it out!

Not being rediculous...969 hours seems fair! I swear you can hear the faintest fart after 969 hours of burn-in. I bet you could smell it too!

RexAeterna · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2011, 11:33:32 PM »

your seriously being way too modest. 970 seems much more legit going by my calculations and intense research. with that taken in mind,then...i mean then! you will truly know what it's like hearing a butterfly flap it's wing in the 4th dimension. trust me, it happens. i first experienced this phenomenon burning in my new apple earbuds and when it hit that magical 970th hour....you don't even know. you don't even...

Author Topic: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not? (Read 2893 times)

Marvey

ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not?

LFF

Re: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not?

rhythmdevils

Re: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not?

RexAeterna

Re: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not?

Marvey

Re: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not?

Questhate

Re: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not?

LFF

Re: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not?

Questhate

Re: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not?

LFF

Re: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not?

RexAeterna

Re: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not?

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Author Topic: ATH-W3000ANV Effects of Burn-In? BS or Not? (Read 2893 times)