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Break-in

I did a quick search and didn't find anything that specifically addressed this question: Has anyone ever found that a product actually sounded worse after it was used for whatever break-in period the manufacturer and dealer recommended? I mean, doesn't anyone find it odd that components always sound better? It could cause a person to wonder whether, to some degree at least, some of the "break-in" is happening between the ears.
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sidssp
1,077 posts
 
All you need to do is to a/b compare two identical pieces of equipment, one brand new and one broken in. I have done that with my Sony SACD player and the difference was very obvious.
bomarc
501 posts
 
I can't recall seeing anyone report that a component sounded worse after break-in. I'd say your suspicions are warranted.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
I have never had a component sound worse after break-in. But that's all that means. Not sounding worse doesn't always mean tympanic happiness, for this audiophool.....peace, warren
nighthawk
259 posts
 
Try this logic - if you are a product designer, and you know your widget changes its characteristics from its new state to its well broken-in state, do you optimize its performance for the new state, which exists only for a short time, or for the broken-in state, which lasts a long time? I think any intelligent designer would do the latter. I think this explains why some products work a little better after being broken-in.
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