I have come back in the last couple of years to explore the world of HiFi. I have seen all the opposed views on cables, burn in and all the rest. Most of us I guess are undecided or curious to learn the facts of these arguments. Its is a curiosity that can maybe save us a lot of money, if we can somehow sort the facts from the Snake Oil. Or maybe give us a way to improve our set up.
Sometimes this sort of thread can bring out some interesting information.
Not 100 hours. I normally run them in for about 24 hours at medium volume (without actually listening), before listening for the first time. I switched to them a couple of times, but every time they sound ‘cold’. That is probably the best word for it. I guess the mid frequencies are emphasized and there is not much warmth and emotion.
Thanks - I have read these sort of narratives before and to be honest many come across as being a little conceited to me. I have also spoken in the past to people who actually manufacture devices have stated a degree of running in is recommended - and avoid high power for an initial period of time until suspensions have relaxed to avoid driver damage.
So take your choice - I would go with the people who make and design the materials as they will know what to expect as opposed to armchair keyboard warriors. Now I agree not everyone says their products will improve over an initial time - but they do say to expect subtle change - and others say they will be able to handle higher power loads
Indeed I do hear this - albeit generally subtle and not all one way = some times the sounds will change better and worse a few times which I can’t quite my head around. When I buy a new car I just leave the system on radio for quite a few days - before I listen to music - as I really notice it opening up. Now I suspect these speakers are more challenged here as they need to withstand a greater range of mechanical shocks. I have noticed this twice now on two identical speaker systems on two new BMW cars.
Now I do agree that some would appear to exaggerate running in and their effects - and I think a lot of this can be down to becoming more familiar. But when you notice this multiple times for identical products and comments from some manufacturers for me its not really a debate - its what happens and what to expect at least for sort of products I buy - but yes not night and day - but usually subtly beneficial- apart from cars entertainment systems which tend to be more significant.
Not really. Depending on which forum you are, either opinions or facts/measurements/science will be discounted. Either way you’ll be shot down for your views. Enjoy 
Hifiman recommends a 100-hour break-in period, explaining that initially the sound might be a bit aggressive with harsh treble on my HE1000SE (the same on the Stealth)… that’s exactly what I’ve noticed; now the sound is smooth and exceptional… which would explain why some people find Hifiman a bit too bright at first without waiting for the break-in period to end.
24 hours is fine but I was probably thinking speakers when I said 100 hours!
Maybe they aren’t a good match for your headphone amp. Being planars they have low impedance and need more current than they do voltage(both help).
I have a planar Hifiman Arya also, which sounds much better to my ears. I tried the FiiO again tonight. Some jazz with trumpets. The trumpets were so emphasized that it hurts. Immediately listened to the Hifiman afterwards and the trumpets were silky smooth. Some on my main system through speakers. The FiiO does not agree with my ears.
Audiophiles in the wild are very territorial. They defend their beliefs, often in packs, to the death if necessary . Should you be unfortunate enough to walk into such a gathering, your life expectancy has diminished manyfold.
From what I have read, everyone’s hearing is different, our hearing changes over time. When we use headphones our ears might change the sound because of the shape of our ears, or if we are wearing glasses. So it is pretty normal that a well reviewed set of cans sounds nasty when YOU use them.
Speakers are the same. the room shape and its furnishings change the sound.
Just remember that the sound at most concerts is pretty awful, so if our HiFi sounds a little sub par, you can learn to live with it and just enjoy the music.
Interestingly I have auditioned quite a few speakers highly regarded by some, and with glowing reviews, and found them very wanting, some unlistenable. However, since I got my first good speakers 50 years ago, i have moved home multiple times and heard the past ones in other people’s rooms - i’ve heard one of mine in 7 different rooms, another in 5, another in 3 and the present in 2, and there was only one occasion when moving into a new room didn’t sound very good, which resolved by some measurements and a room rearrangement.
With concerts of course it is as much the experience, atmosphere and watching the musicians as it is the sound, unlike sitting back at home to immerse in the music.
Perhaps if you are comparing it to a pristine studio recording which has gone through many stages of production to produce the best results possible. But live concert sound possesses a directness and immediacy that completely eludes many hi-fi systems, even very expensive ones. I’ve never convincingly experienced it other than with our Klipsch horn speakers. This ‘live’ quality is something that horn speakers do exceptionally well and most speakers do not.
How much this matters to you is another question entirely. I find it greatly enhances the illusion of reality and I find myself enjoying music as if I were at a live event. But for someone who is aiming for pristine studio sound, or at least aiming to reproduce exactly what’s on the recording, it may hold little appeal.
Not in my experience, though it does depend on the concert hall and the performers.
Roger
A classical concert in a proper theatre has good sound generally, especially if the acoustics have been taken care of. I have found amplified music, such as Jazz in a theatre is generally quite good. But most outdoor concerts range form acceptable to atrocious, in my experience.
There I do agree, but what you’re getting is atmosphere and a lot more rather than just a purist auditory experience.
Roger
Exactly. There’s a lot more to enjoyment than SQ.
No matter how good your system, a grand or a hundred, you’ll never recreate a good live performance with friends, your partner and alcohol or drugs in your living room but it will surely improve a really crappy one, no friends and after you just lost your girl/boyfriend with no money for alcohol or drugs.
Far out man! 
Perhaps I’m buttoned up, but I’ve never associated drinking alcohol with live concerts myself and I’ve never done recreational drugs of any description in my entire life. I assume we’re talking here about rock concerts (or perhaps some jazz). I’ve never noticed anyone swigging cans of Stella, popping pills or smoking joints at Bach recitals. I know some people find this sort of thing enhances the whole experience for them but to me it’s always been about the music and the buzz of the live performance. I’m not judging anyone, each to their own, but personally I’ve never felt I needed any mind altering substances to get that.
Fortunately when I foolishly went to see Queen at the Hammersmith Odeon, I had drunk several pints of London Pride beforehand. It was a handy anaesthetic that enabled me to sleep through most of the bombastic crap.
So alcohol has its musical uses.
My wife is a massive Queen fan! 
I’ve never seen them live and they’re not really my cup of tea but I’ve seen Roger Taylor’s band The Cross and I thought they were great and I also like his solo stuff.
I tend not to like ‘stadium’ rock bands. I dislike Genesis, who really have churned out loads of pretentious crap posing as high art.
C.f. ELP.