K&H o300 burn-in time?

wiglad · 10th November 2009

Does anyone have any information or thoughts regarding burning-in the K&H o300? I'm demoing a pair next to my Focal Twin 6's right now, and want to run FuzzMeasure to compare the responses of each in my room. The K&H are brand new, and I have about ten days with them. I can't seem to find any info in the manual, or online.

And yes, I am aware of the debate as to whether or not a burn-in time is even necessary.

Thanks in advance!!!

wiglad

Marineville · 11th November 2009

None as far as I am aware. Mine sounded amazing straight out of the box.

wiglad · 11th November 2009

Ya, really no guidelines from the manufacturer.

These things are quite amazing, aren't they! Very impressed so far.

aleatoric · 11th November 2009

You liking them more than your Twins?

Russell Dawkins · 11th November 2009

Either I'm imagining things, or my 0300s are sounding much more full in the bass than when I first hooked them up about 10 months ago, and I like it (a lot).

I know some say that what's being "broken in" is the listener's ears as they get used to the sound of the speaker they are constantly exposed to, but I am prepared to believe that the loosening of the suspension and the resulting measurable lowering of fs of the bass driver after a prolonged period of fairly heavy use is actually clearly audible.

At the same time, I am fully aware of just how vulnerable we are to auto-suggestion. I have been badly caught out in the past when an EQ I thought was in circuit was not.

Fletcher · 11th November 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiglad

Does anyone have any information or thoughts regarding burning the K&H o300?

About 20 minutes if you use an accelerant...

leaper · 11th November 2009

Changing from a demo pair that i'd used for 2 months to a new pair did involve a sonic difference.
The new pair sounded tighter in the low mids and didn't extend as low as the demo pair. Maybe they are still like that after a year of steady use.. I like to think that they have loosened up. But of course there's no way to compare anymore.

wiglad · 12th November 2009

I'm not sure I like them better than the Twins, but they are quite different.

Imaging is crazy, and the best I've personally heard, ever.

The sweet spot seems a lot wider, and frequency balance remains very consistent while moving around within it.

The o300's give me the impression they are "passing" sound. More so than the Twins. With the Twins (and most monitors I've worked with), it seems the monitor is working to reproduce sound, with varying degrees of accuracy. I don't "hear" the o300's at all, and they don't seem to be working to pass audio. It just slides right out.

Kind of hard to explain.

I really love the Twins, but for me they are a bit harsh, and therefore fatiguing, and I wasn't always loving what I was hearing (or not hearing) below around 80hz.

I love the transient response of the K&H. Especially for electronic music, things really seem to pop, in a clean way.

The Twins have way more power. They seem more "rock and roll" to me. For tracking in the control room, there is no question, Twins win by a mile. Clean power to spare. Some people complain that the o300 limiters kick in too soon, but they're plenty loud for me.

I worry that the o300's may be too flattering in the upper mids. They are incredibly clear and open, but a little scooped. I wonder if they will mask problems in this region. The highs are also softer than the Twins. This may be why Fletcher wants to burn them. Or it's just unresolved pyromania.

I like the bass response of the o300's a lot more. They extend lower, and feel tight down to at least 40hz, with a smooth roll-off. They don't seem hyped to me, but the low end is there if you need it.

For context, I'm comparing the o300's to the Twins WITH the sub6. At this level of monitor, I think it boils down to personal preference, and how you use your monitors. If I were mostly tracking and mixing rock, the Twins would be all I need. For editing, film work, more electronic based music, and mastering, the o300's might be the winner. MIGHT be. It's going to be a tough decision, but honestly, if you can't get a good mix out of either of these, it's most likely not the monitor. All of this is IMHO, hope it helps.

Thanks for all the responses, guys!

wiglad

nightscope · 12th November 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiglad

burn-in time

pink noise @ 85dB for 72 hours

NS

10th November 2009	#1
wiglad Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 117 Thread Starter	K&H o300 burn-in time? Does anyone have any information or thoughts regarding burning-in the K&H o300? I'm demoing a pair next to my Focal Twin 6's right now, and want to run FuzzMeasure to compare the responses of each in my room. The K&H are brand new, and I have about ten days with them. I can't seem to find any info in the manual, or online. And yes, I am aware of the debate as to whether or not a burn-in time is even necessary. Thanks in advance!!! wiglad

11th November 2009	#2
Marineville Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 362	None as far as I am aware. Mine sounded amazing straight out of the box. __________________ Stand by for action - we are about to launch Stingray! Cue irritating bongo music ...

11th November 2009	#7
leaper Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 844	Changing from a demo pair that i'd used for 2 months to a new pair did involve a sonic difference. The new pair sounded tighter in the low mids and didn't extend as low as the demo pair. Maybe they are still like that after a year of steady use.. I like to think that they have loosened up. But of course there's no way to compare anymore. __________________ "Subterfuge and deceit in arguing about talking about talking about making music is just spectacularly odd." Mousdrvr

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Our Lady Peace - Burn Burn Burn - King Noise Recorder, LA	PheelTheMusic	So much gear, so little time!	9	29th July 2009 05:47 PM
ADAM S3A Burn in time	woodfoot	High end	4	25th July 2009 11:56 PM
burn in time?	divine source	High end	10	28th September 2008 10:00 AM
how long of burn in time for the Sennheiser 650	HIGHENDONLY	High end	3	29th June 2007 08:13 PM
Do mics need a burn-in time? different with age?	bloodsweatfire	So much gear, so little time!	16	11th June 2004 09:08 PM

11th November 2009	#4
aleatoric Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,484	You liking them more than your Twins?

11th November 2009	#5
Russell Dawkins Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Victoria BC Canada Posts: 292	Either I'm imagining things, or my 0300s are sounding much more full in the bass than when I first hooked them up about 10 months ago, and I like it (a lot). I know some say that what's being "broken in" is the listener's ears as they get used to the sound of the speaker they are constantly exposed to, but I am prepared to believe that the loosening of the suspension and the resulting measurable lowering of fs of the bass driver after a prolonged period of fairly heavy use is actually clearly audible. At the same time, I am fully aware of just how vulnerable we are to auto-suggestion. I have been badly caught out in the past when an EQ I thought was in circuit was not.

12th November 2009	#8
wiglad Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 117 Thread Starter	I'm not sure I like them better than the Twins, but they are quite different. Imaging is crazy, and the best I've personally heard, ever. The sweet spot seems a lot wider, and frequency balance remains very consistent while moving around within it. The o300's give me the impression they are "passing" sound. More so than the Twins. With the Twins (and most monitors I've worked with), it seems the monitor is working to reproduce sound, with varying degrees of accuracy. I don't "hear" the o300's at all, and they don't seem to be working to pass audio. It just slides right out. Kind of hard to explain. I really love the Twins, but for me they are a bit harsh, and therefore fatiguing, and I wasn't always loving what I was hearing (or not hearing) below around 80hz. I love the transient response of the K&H. Especially for electronic music, things really seem to pop, in a clean way. The Twins have way more power. They seem more "rock and roll" to me. For tracking in the control room, there is no question, Twins win by a mile. Clean power to spare. Some people complain that the o300 limiters kick in too soon, but they're plenty loud for me. I worry that the o300's may be too flattering in the upper mids. They are incredibly clear and open, but a little scooped. I wonder if they will mask problems in this region. The highs are also softer than the Twins. This may be why Fletcher wants to burn them. Or it's just unresolved pyromania. I like the bass response of the o300's a lot more. They extend lower, and feel tight down to at least 40hz, with a smooth roll-off. They don't seem hyped to me, but the low end is there if you need it. For context, I'm comparing the o300's to the Twins WITH the sub6. At this level of monitor, I think it boils down to personal preference, and how you use your monitors. If I were mostly tracking and mixing rock, the Twins would be all I need. For editing, film work, more electronic based music, and mastering, the o300's might be the winner. MIGHT be. It's going to be a tough decision, but honestly, if you can't get a good mix out of either of these, it's most likely not the monitor. All of this is IMHO, hope it helps. Thanks for all the responses, guys! wiglad