Pink Noise To Break-In Headphones

Pink noise - Break-in headphones OneOdio Studio Headphones

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Breaking into headphones and speaker systems has always been a bone of contention among audiophiles.

Some say that it isn’t a necessity, while others firmly believe that breaking in new equipment is an important step to get the best sound out of them. 

Personally, I have found that breaking into your cans or speaker system can not only lead to a marked improvement in the sound quality you get out of them but can also extend their life considerably. 

For those of you who fall into the latter category (like me), there are a few ways you can go about breaking into your cans. One method is to use what’s called “pink noise.”

In this article, I will take a closer look at what pink noise really is, how it helps break into headphones, the benefits of doing so, and discuss some myths associated with the concept as well. 

What is Pink Noise?

So, what is pink noise?

In short, it is a type of noise that contains all frequencies within a certain range, with each frequency having the same energy.

This is in contrast to “white noise,” which is made up of all frequencies with equal energy across the board. 

One of the most common ways that people use pink noise to break into headphones is by playing it at low volumes for extended periods of time. 

The rationale behind this method is that doing so will help “loosen up” the drivers in your cans and enable them to reproduce sound more accurately. 

While there isn’t any scientific evidence to support this claim, many audiophiles (myself included) have found that breaking into headphones in this way does lead to an improvement in sound quality. 

In addition, it can also help improve the clarity and definition of sounds, as well as the overall imaging. 

Break in headphones - Fostex TX-000
Fostex TX-000 Headphones | Make Life Click

You can easily find pink noise in almost every streaming service out there. Simply search for pink noise, and you’ll also get some 24-hour versions of the same!

In addition to using pink noise, another method that can be employed to help break into headphones is by playing music at low volumes for extended periods of time. 

This method is often used in conjunction with the pink noise method and is said to provide even better results.

Benefits of Using Pink Noise to Break Into Headphones

The main benefit of breaking into headphones is that it can lead to an improvement in sound quality. In addition, it can help improve the clarity and definition of sounds and the overall imaging. 

Furthermore, there are several other benefits to doing this as well. These include: 

  • Extending the lifespan of your headphones: This is perhaps the most important benefit of breaking into headphones. Playing pink noise or music at low volumes for extended periods can help “loosen up” the drivers in your cans and enable them to reproduce sound more accurately. Doing so will also help reduce wear and tear on the drivers and subsequently extend their lifespan. 
  • Improving soundstage and imaging: Another benefit of breaking into headphones is that it can help improve the soundstage and imaging. This is due to the fact that pink noise helps “loosen up” the drivers, which enables them to reproduce sound more accurately. 
  • Reducing listener fatigue: Listener fatigue is a very real phenomenon and is one of the main reasons why people take breaks between listening sessions. However, by breaking into your headphones, you can help reduce listener fatigue, as pink noise helps “loosen up” the drivers and enable them to reproduce sound more accurately. 
  • Improving sound quality: As we’ve mentioned before, breaking into headphones can lead to an improvement in sound quality. This is due to the fact that pink noise helps “loosen up” the drivers, which enables them to reproduce sound more accurately.

Myths Associated With Pink Noise

There are a few myths associated with using pink noise to break into headphones. The most common one is that it will damage the drivers in your cans

However, this is not true. Pink noise is not loud enough to damage the drivers in your headphones.

Furthermore, if you are using pink noise at low volumes for extended periods, you are actually helping to reduce wear and tear on the drivers and subsequently extend their lifespan. 

Another myth is that you need to break into your headphones for several hours a day, for several days in a row, in order to see any benefits

However, this is also not true. While breaking into your headphones for extended periods of time will certainly lead to better results, you will still see some benefits even if you only do it for 30 minutes a day. 

Another rather hilarious myth is that playing music at high volumes will help break them in faster. This is like saying that getting hit by a truck will help you strengthen your bones more than daily exercise!

Needless to say, this is not true and will only serve to damage the drivers in your headphones. So please, don’t do it!

Pink noise- Break-in headphones - FiFine H8
FiFine H8 Headphones | Make Life Click

How to Use Pink Noise to Break Into Headphones

Pink Noise Test Audio File

Pink Noise Audio File

Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can use pink noise to break into headphones, along with a few considerations you should make. 

Step 1: Choose a pink noise track. 

There are several different pink noise tracks available online. You can find them on YouTube or purchase them from online stores such as Amazon. We’ve included one above from audio check.

When choosing a pink noise track, it is important to make sure that it is high quality and free of any artifacts. Furthermore, it is also important to make sure that the track is at least 10 minutes long. 

Step 2: Set up your headphones. 

Once you have chosen a pink noise track, the next step is to set up your headphones. If you are using over-ear headphones, ensure they are sitting snugly on your head, and if you use in-ear headphones, ensure they are correctly inserted. 

Step 3: Play the pink noise track. 

Once your headphones are set up, the next step is to play the pink noise track. Start at a low volume and gradually increase the volume until you reach a comfortable listening level. 

It is important to make sure that you do not play the pink noise too loud, as this could damage your hearing. 

Step 4: Listen for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

Once the pink noise track is playing, it is time to sit back and relax. Let the pink noise do its work and listen for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

After the listening session is over, you can take a break or continue on to the next step. 

Step 5: Repeat the process. 

The best way to break in headphones is to repeat the process over several days. For best results, try to do it for at least 2 weeks. 

It is safe to mention here that you don’t necessarily need to listen to the pink noise. You can also simply play the track and set the headphones aside.

While it may take away some of the hi-fi headphone experience for you, it won’t bind you to the headphones as much. The trick is to simply allow the headphones to reach their full potential – your ears will adjust automatically.

Kate is one of the hardest working writers we have on the team. She contributes a lot towards making the Make Life Click community as awesome as it is.


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