I would argue that this is psychosomatic more than anything. I don't know how much the headphones you're talking about are (in fact, it's better if I don't know), but my experience with "expensive" headphones is that they are great right from the box and don't get any better, at least significantly. This is over maybe a dozen headphones in the $100-$300 range (all passive, no amplified or noise canceling headphones). Some people buy a pair of headphones, then get "buyer's remorse" when the audio isn't unbelievable or even what they expected for the price. They start to nitpick the sound, the build quality, everything. But after a few days, they get used to the sound, and they begin to sound "better". It's not the headphones changing but your ears/expectations. Not saying this happened to you (again, it's better than I not know so you can make your own assessment of my opinion), but it has happened to me with cheap headphones. I'd buy a pair of $20 headphones expecting something decent, they sound like garbage, and I regret the purchase...but rather than simply return them (not worth my time for $20), I keep using them and eventually, I grow to like the sound they make. They didn't change...I just got used to them.

The video does not say certain parts don't break in -- it's more about time. But as far as details why all these parts you say break in -- do you have links that will explain?

@@soundstagenetwork Gotcha. Well, the 500 hour thing is not something that I have encountered but I have definitely heard some speakers or components change well over a couple hundred hours. I don't think KZfaq lets people put links in the comments. You can check out Galen Carol Audio, Empirical Audio and Cardas. As an example, as it sounds like you are likely already aware, take wire and caps - a lot of the audible changes there relates to dielectric absorption properties which has to do with voltage retention. Structures within metals change as well. There's a lot of good info out there about it.

I remember hearing a demo Rega CD player break in over about 1/2 hour - MAJOR change in the sound. I assume it was the electrolytic caps, but who knows? I wasn't there to hear this (or any) CD player, but the dealer took delivery & wanted to see what it sounded like.

That's the way - not "I played smooth jazz through them at 65 dB in my bedroom for 100 hours and hear no change!". The out of phase thing just makes it quieter for your neighbours, but if you like it loud you can keep them in phase!

Exactly! Thanks for your input.

You are correct!

Indeed.

The Founder 120H seems like an outstanding speaker. We have a pair here.

Well what happens is the competition will lie to you. So you are just buying the liar's speakers. Although a speaker that hasn't been broken in is still perfectly usable - just the bass and lower midrange will be a little weaker and the tweeter won't change (in mine, the tweeter is a compression driver with a plastic membrane and no appreciable suspension meaning there is nothing to loosen). Plus pro audio speakers usually get used loudly enough that this changes in a couple of hours. My Kappalite 3012lf drivers loosened up nicely. You might just be making subtle EQ changes like bringing the bass down over time. That's what happened with mine - the bass sensitivity went up and I just kept reducing the crossover gain.

Good question!

Good question -- but it's also never been shown to be something of an issue.

Indeed

VERY good question. Why don't products break in and get worse? That supports the idea that long-term break-in effects have more to do with conditioning the mind.

A minute or two does not seem surprisingly -- 200 or 300 or 500 hours is what's questionable.

@@soundstagenetwork Sure, a minute or two for speakers that are already well run in. I do play below 65-70db measured from 2 meters away in a small room, so in my case break in “from new” might be a longer process 🐌 🙂 I really do think reviewers should take the time to do the suggested comparative test for a range of component types before speaking on the subject with authority. Without this it arguably becomes a bit too much just belief/opinion and I personally see little reason to trust this pow over that of the person who believes they do hear real changes over a long period. Just my 2C 🙂

@@thepickyaudiophile We polled our writers internally before this video was released. Everyone unanimously agreed with what Doug said in the video. With that in mind, all of them said they'll run the speakers for a couple of days before they'll get down to serious listening, which is usually then done over the next couple of weeks.

I've never heard any speaker make a cracking or blurring sound. Ever. As for "a longer time," what do you called "a longer time"? I call it minutes...

@@dougschneider8243 New, and when they played to the loudness limit ..... new, they do not play very for loudness.

@@user-ge9rw6ug3c I have to say that it's never happened to me. I mean, I won't judge a speaker for a few minutes, but, as explained in the video, when a good speaker has been played for just minutes, the suspension is loosened up. Furthermore, many companies run in drivers at their factories, so the consumer really doesn't have to play them hard.