How to warm up your headphones

Many people warm up their headphones after purchase, because they believe that it is necessary for high-quality sound. But it is impossible to say whether this is true. The following are a few arguments to help sort this out.

Headphone heating

Headphone heating - these are changes that occur with sound when using the device for the first several tens of hours. The process always happens whether the headphones are on the person’s head or not. It is believed that the sound quality of such headphones is higher than those that are just out of the box.

Changes in sound quality depend on the features of the models:

1. For vertical speakers, the sound will change quite a lot.
2. The full-sized ones are slightly.
3. A device with large membranes practically does not change (or does not change at all).

Myth or reality

The theory of such a device process does not hold water. This applies to both materials science and practical use. Only some manufacturers indicate that the device must carry out such a procedure within 50 hours after purchase, but this will not be enough for headphones. Therefore, it is impossible to say whether the procedure produces an effect or is a simple tradition. Moreover, manufacturers never sell already warmed devices.

But there are arguments that oppose the myth that headphones need to be warmed up:

1. The materials from which dynamic and other emitters are created do not require an additional increase in elasticity. After 100 hours of heating, the density, elasticity and other properties of the materials will not change.
2. The process is not a prerequisite for the use of both headphones and drivers. After creating the headphones, they can already be used, and there are no additional requirements (including heating).
3. Sound is always within the margin of error of devices. Long-term use does not improve the quality of sound signals or the product itself. Sound will always remain at the same frequency.

To date, not a single scientific work or scientific experiment has been presented that could prove that heating the headphones in any way affects the sound quality.

Some manufacturers openly declare that such a procedure is a prerequisite for the proper operation of the headphones. But at the same time, their words are contradictory. Perhaps they simply do not want to offend those people who believe that after the process, the sound quality of the headphones improves.

Attention! On the Internet, you can find many reviews from people who claim to hear differences in sounds between newly purchased and warmed devices. Therefore, it is not yet possible to say whether the changes after heating are a myth or reality.

What does the procedure give?

The procedure is needed to align the sound parameters. Therefore, these headphones are suitable only for avid enthusiasts who are able to hear the difference in sounds between ordinary and warm devices. Reasons 3:

1. Subjective opinion.
2. Individual hearing.
3. The difference between modern and old models.

But such an action can also harm the headphones. They are not a loudspeaker, therefore there is a risk of damage from too strong sounds. The volume must be set slightly higher than comfortable for the ears. And if you select a special track for heating, the heating process becomes faster and safer.

Headphone heating methods

There are two main ways of warming up - special noises or ordinary music. When choosing music, it is better to stop at the one that jumps at all frequencies, touching the maximum and minimum points. But the most effective way is a special pink noise. The following factors must be considered:

1. There are records that are made specifically for such a process. All of them are variations of pink noise. They swing the membrane in the most efficient way. Sounds contain signals of all necessary amplitudes and frequencies. A great option is to use a disk from Tara Labs.
2. If you decide to use regular music for warming up, you should be prepared that various deviations will appear at first. For example, the sound will float. There is also a risk of very high frequency signals, extraneous sounds, middle dips. This is normal and will disappear on its own after the procedure.
3. Volume selection. It’s best to set the level a little higher than your ear value. You cannot make the sound too loud. But the concept of volume is different for everyone, therefore, it is selected relative to the comfort of the user.
4. Use of source. It is logical to assume that the source will be the device that you will use to listen. But if you do not have such an opportunity, you can choose another device specifically for such a process. It is not necessary to use special systems or players. The usual high-quality device will be enough.

How long does it take to warm up

For most types of devices, the average warm-up time is from 90 to 200 hours. Some types take longer and some less. Changes become noticeable after just a few tens of hours of the procedure. But you can hear this only if you do not listen to music for several hours without interruption.