Do headphones requiere break-in?

My HD650 and AKG 702 sounded great from the first day til this day. My Grado SR60 sounded bad from the first day until this day. They are not very good. And they are uncomfortable also. Another high-end legend. Same category as the Sony 5400 entry level Vandys and the Oppo stuff. Does not mean they are all bad, just over hyped. Anointed 'Giant Killers'.

Hi Jedinite24;

A few years back in conversation with John Grado about breaking in headphones his suggestion was to use music (choosing something with good dynamic range and across the spectrum from lows to highs), give them a break every 4-6 hours and set the volume a bit higher than your normal high ideal listening level. To be honest, I didn't have the gumption to ask him to explain the whys and wherefors, just thought he knows what he's talking about.
Cheers; dmacg

Hi Dmacg

Thanks for sharing again. Wow info straight from John Grado. Very cool. I don't think I would have the gumption to ask him why there should be a 4-6 hour rest between break-in either.

"I didn't have the gumption to ask him to explain the whys and wherefors, just thought he knows what he's talking about.
'

What a wasted oppourtunity. One of THEM actually stepped down from Mt Olympus to speak with us mortals, and you froze!!! How could you not have asked him!

It was many years ago at an audio show. Maby next time.
Oh, and Jedinite24, What I meant is to give them a break (an hour or two) after 4-6 hours of playing music. I should have been more clear.
Cheers