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Did I break my headphones? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by Andrea0272@alien.top to c/headphones@hi-fi.community

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Hello everyone, During the black Friday I bought the Fidelio X2HR. I read online that, before using new headphones, you have to do a "burn-in" for several hours. I connected the Fidelio to my DAC/AMP (a Fiio K9) and I left them there for several hours while a mix of music and pink noise was playing. However, since I'm used to my old 150 ohm headphones (superlux hd681 evo), I putted the volume almost at max level (low gain), to be precise the knob was a little over the 3 o'clock position. Now I'm using my new Fidelio but the details, the clarity and especially the highs seem worse than my old headphones, but maybe it's just my perception I can't tell for sure. I noticed that my Fidelio sounds better at lower volumes, the bass don't overshadow other instruments, however I still get the impression that they don't sound as good as my old ones. Will the sound of the Fidelio improve over time?is it just my impression and I just have to get use to the new headphones? Or should I return the Fidelio back?

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[–] chesyorangejuice@alien.top 2 points 11 months ago

If you don't like them then send them back, also next time you get new headphones you don't need to "burn them in"

[–] EvilSynths@alien.top 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Some people in this hobby really believe some bullshit don't they.

Just like you can't hear a difference with Hi-Res Lossless, you don't need to burn in headphones.

[–] RB181@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

If anything, hi-res lossless will make more of a difference than burn-in.

[–] Feath3rblade@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Burn in's a myth, the closest thing to it would be your brain adjusting to a new sound signature.

Perhaps you just prefer the sound of your older headphones more? If you try the Fidelios for a bit more and still prefer your old ones, there's no harm in returning the Fidelios and sticking with your old pair, or trying other headphones if you're still set on getting something new. It's not like just because something is newer and/or more expensive, it'll automatically sound "better" to your ears.

[–] Jontun189@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I highly suspect the headphones are fine and your brain is just getting used to the different sound. I thought my HD6XX were crap (edit; actually, just very 'samey' compared to my other cans at the time) initially, now they are like nothing I have ever experienced anywhere else; literal velvet sound.

My X2's have decent bass but it's not in 'blow me away' territory, just a bit of a bump. As others have remarked my treble is also quite grainy compared to my other cans and that may or may not be for you; once I heard it I could never not hear it again.

I've never tried the Superlux so I can't compare to those.