Break In Question?

Gentlemen, I understand. I was exactly like you. Twenty years ago, I would have been the one arguing vociferously, taking your very position on this matter. 

Forgive me for spending 1,500+ hours in reviewing related activities (communication, shipping and receiving, systems setup, interviews conducted for the majority of articles, listening/note taking, and writing) unpaid. I did it because I appreciated having a stream of fine equipment coming to me, it allowed me to discover great gear in my home - yes, there is an accommodation pricing, but not nearly enough to merit the time cost, and no, I have never sought or claimed any product as becoming mine for free over time/use. 

I didn’t plan on becoming a reviewer. I didn’t plan on discovering a raft of misnomers in the industry and community. I didn’t plan on writing a book; but it’s a follow on from all the time and experiences. It is quite possible that I will in entirety lose money on the website and publication of the book. I have no delusions that I will make a lot of money from it. I wrote it because there is a disconnect between what is perceived/believed and undergirds the received wisdom of the community, and the reality of what actually happens when handling an audio system. 

Behind all of the argument between us, there are quiet, curious audiophiles who will explore it. My greatest joy will be those who have their eyes opened to the mistakes they have been making, will adjust their methods, and end up with listening experiences far beyond what they could have imagined.  :) 

@oberoniaomnia - I didn't listen to these headphones a bunch; I didn't listen to them at all, really - I ordered them, took them out of the box, they sounded awful and I got in touch with the place I bought them and said I wanted to return them. They told me they should have 150 hours or so of break-in. On to the back of the chair they went, with music playing through them but me not putting them on for 150 hours. I put them back on and they sounded totally different, as he said they would, and I kept them.

I'm not a complete idiot and I can tell the difference between sound so bad I wanted to return an item, and sound that is quite good and well worth keeping. Nothing to do with memory. Nothing whatsoever to do with psychoacoustics or habituation; my chair is the only thing that would have been affected by those, and it didn't say anything about it. 

I don't see how this is anything like your situation with all that 'listening a bunch' going on. As for Amir, 'nuff said - I don't care what he cites; that is somebody who I really don't care about what they have to say; I listen with ears and brain, not with some measurement devices. But keep denying other people's experiences if you like. 

@steakster 

Thank you. 

Doug you just made things worse. What you do is acknowledge that what you attempted to do was wrong and apologize. Nothing else is of consequence. 

What we need is a slush fund for people who do audio break ins.