# What Makes "Stuff" Fatiguing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Audio Science\ **Created:** [January 10, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776 "2020-01-10T14:31:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![MRHifiReviews](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/mrhifireviews/32/13974_2.png) [@MRHifiReviews](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MRHifiReviews)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/101 "2020-02-08T17:56:45Z")
My brother from another mother! ---
**Author:** ![MartinTransporter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/martintransporter/32/8809_2.png) [@MartinTransporter](https://forum.headphones.com/u/MartinTransporter)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/102 "2020-02-08T18:39:51Z")
Oh you already live that life- Marcello has to be a lucky guy! ---
**Author:** ![Panzer\_Applehusky](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/panzer_applehusky/32/16189_2.png) [@Panzer\_Applehusky](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Panzer_Applehusky)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/103 "2020-03-17T16:21:52Z")
I love music like I’m sure everyone else on here does, but I find that sometimes I get into a rut where it doesn’t seem like anything sounds good. I’m thinking that, for me at least, this happens from listening to the same tracks too many times in a row or just listening to music in general too much, which is why I’m calling this “fatigue”. I was wondering if anyone else on here experiences the same thing and how do you mitigate that? ---
**Author:** ![lost33](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/lost33/32/6850_2.png) [@lost33](https://forum.headphones.com/u/lost33)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/104 "2020-03-17T16:40:43Z")
Ha! Just buy some new stuff!! Serioulsy I have felt this experience as well…and sometimes you need to take a few days away from the headphone stuff…and go outside and enjoy life!. Gosh thats an issue right now!! :\>( I have 12+ amps in house and rotate them, and I have found there are certain ones that do really make a difference to me…and I force myself to listen to those amps that might be sub-standard in comparison so when I get back to that favorite it makes me smile!! and if it doesnt then maybe that amp might not be a good as you one thought!! Lately I have one setup in this scenarion of swapping out stuff that consistently makes me smile and is not fatiguing…and I can listen for hours and often have a harf time stopping!! Another thing for me is I have all my CD’s ripped as many of us do and I have a random listing of all these in Jriver and go thru this list of thousands of songs, good and mediocre so I never know whats coming up next…to my brain its a totally new sound experience each and every time. If its a so-so song, I move to the next…helps alot for me. Some folks like to listen to a whole album, thats fine, but to me once doing that I find I remember each song and it becomes fatiguing to me… Alex ---
**Author:** ![Panzer\_Applehusky](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/panzer_applehusky/32/16189_2.png) [@Panzer\_Applehusky](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Panzer_Applehusky)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/105 "2020-03-17T16:51:56Z")
I think turning “Shuffle” mode on has helped immensely, especially while driving. I don’t spend any time trying to think of exactly what I want to listen to. If I don’t like what’s playing, then I just press next track. ---
**Author:** ![frkasper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/frkasper/32/9408_2.png) [@frkasper](https://forum.headphones.com/u/frkasper)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/106 "2020-03-26T01:40:16Z")
To me, and given my current status quo, fatiguing is the DT770 PRO above 70dB on certain rock/pop songs. Metallica’s Black Album, for instance, it’s impossible to hear. Loudness in general tend to fatigue me quickly as well, after 10-20 mins. I keep turning the volume down and let the brain/ears to adjust. This is what I actually enjoy about the SRH1540. Bass is always there even at lower volumes. On a separate note… > [@Soundphile](#): > > I think that has to do with the wild swings in impedance they exhibit: they are 300 Ω at 1 kHz, but 500 Ω around 200 Hz if I recall correctly. Found [this](https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennheiserHD600.pdf) and now I understand why I felt the HD600 bassier when I used a balanced cable with a FiiO K3 2.5mm jack last weekend. HD600 is another one that I could spend hours listening without any signs of fatigue. As long as room temperature is under 76F (~24C), and I don’t feel my jaws due the clamping force… 🤓 ---
**Author:** ![Rena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rena](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Rena)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/107 "2020-05-17T01:35:48Z")
I am probably most fatigued if something around 500-900hz is recessed and if 1.5k ish is too forward. I also don’t like too much around 11-14k. ---
**Author:** ![frkasper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/frkasper/32/9408_2.png) [@frkasper](https://forum.headphones.com/u/frkasper)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 1:39am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/108 "2020-05-17T01:39:46Z")
> [@Rena](#): > > I also don’t like too much around 11-14k. I’m envying your ears already. 😒 ---
**Author:** ![sunzon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/sunzon/32/14578_2.png) [@sunzon](https://forum.headphones.com/u/sunzon)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/109 "2020-07-10T22:26:40Z")
Very forward headphones fatiguing for me. Forward vocals, aggressive soundstage without air and confusing imaging. I have no problem with treble. I guess that’s why DT770 250 ohm is one of the least fatiguing cans for me. They have exceptional soundstage and imaging inside the cups, music and vocals not pushed to your ears. Instrument and vocal placement is just perfect. Bass and treble gives all the fun with nice timbre. ---
**Author:** ![frkasper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/frkasper/32/9408_2.png) [@frkasper](https://forum.headphones.com/u/frkasper)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/110 "2020-07-10T23:29:15Z")
> [@sunzon](#): > > I guess that’s why DT770 250 ohm is one of the least fatiguing cans for me. I assume at a low listening level? What kind of genre you listen when wearing these Beyers? ---
**Author:** ![sunzon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/sunzon/32/14578_2.png) [@sunzon](https://forum.headphones.com/u/sunzon)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2020, 2:51am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/111 "2020-07-11T02:51:16Z")
Literally everything 🙂 i know it’s cliche but i listen everything and also use headphones for movies and games so v shape helps. And yes generally low/moderate listening levels with occasional crank ups. I like DT770 presentation. Nothing in my face. Edit: DT 1990 for example extremely fatiguing for me. It’s very forward and aggressive headphone with shiny vocals (thanks to treble peak). Much more claustrophobic and overwhelming headphone. ---
**Author:** ![rrwwss52](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/rrwwss52/32/945_2.png) [@rrwwss52](https://forum.headphones.com/u/rrwwss52)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 1:42am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/112 "2020-07-12T01:42:17Z")
Comfort is my biggest complaint on wearing fatigue. Pad sweat in the heat. ---
**Author:** ![frkasper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/frkasper/32/9408_2.png) [@frkasper](https://forum.headphones.com/u/frkasper)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 2:44am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/113 "2020-07-12T02:44:09Z")
Where do you live? I’m currently living in NH but am from a tropical country. I find impossible to wear any over ear headphone above 82F (room temperature). And that’s for dynamic drivers. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![perogie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/perogie/32/13801_2.png) [@perogie](https://forum.headphones.com/u/perogie)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 4:06am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/114 "2020-07-12T04:06:35Z")
Comfort has become more forefront for me as well since I have developed some issues with a headphone of mine. Didnt notice it until I started wearing therm more often and for longer hours. If you have to always fiddle with an uncomfortable headphone issue than you aint really listening and you dont want to listen. I think I may have remedied it significantly but I need to take a break from cans for a few days to kind of reset the hypersensitivity I developed and see if I corrected it enough. It’s the main driving force towards my looking at a getting an IEM now. ---
**Author:** ![rrwwss52](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/rrwwss52/32/945_2.png) [@rrwwss52](https://forum.headphones.com/u/rrwwss52)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 5:55am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/115 "2020-07-12T05:55:41Z")
SoCal. It was around 100F here today. About 80F at 10:55pm. ---
**Author:** ![lost33](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/lost33/32/6850_2.png) [@lost33](https://forum.headphones.com/u/lost33)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 1:01pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/116 "2020-07-12T13:01:35Z")
I sit in an airconditioned room and dont have the issue of sweating pads, the latest headphones are 718 gms, heavy by headphone means…HEDD’s. I feel the heft but have learned to center them on my head to get the weight on my noggin vs putting stress on my ears… The biggest fatigue thing really is crappy source material with very good high resolving cans…the compressed sound makes lisetening a bear at times. I have gone thru my 6000+ source material and created a dem playlist that I occasionlay play to remind myself of the good stuff out there and what the gear is capable of. Alex ---
**Author:** ![ProfFalkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/proffalkin/32/1399_2.png) [@ProfFalkin](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ProfFalkin)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/117 "2020-07-12T13:23:01Z")
> [@lost33](#): > > The biggest fatigue thing really is crappy source material with very good high resolving cans…the compressed sound makes lisetening a bear at times. > > I have gone thru my 6000+ source material and created a dem playlist that I occasionlay play to remind myself of the good stuff out there and what the gear is capable of. I used to work for a small local audio/video chain called Sound Track back in 1999/2000-ish. One of the things they did was conduct week long training courses for employees on audio and video. One of the instructors was a major audiophile. Before the class started, he set up top end Kef Reference 7 towers, McIntosh amps, etc… put up moveable room treatments, bass traps, toed in the speakers, tested the whole thing with a db meter to ensure it sounded pristine and imaged like none other. (Picture a large sized conference room, maybe 40’ square.) The first day he put everyone in front of the setup and played the crappiest encoded mp3s of audiophile tracks, _but he didn’t tell anyone_. Everyone was really impressed. Oh, what sweet tone. Its so detailed. Its like being there. Heh. Then he switched to a SACD source and watched jaws hit the floor. I’m sure you can imagine the improvements. He then went back and forth between the two for comparison. After that, he told us if we ever played MP3s when we demoed gear for customers, he’d fire us on the spot. That was my first real introduction to great audio. I leaned 2 things: You can’t un-hear the difference, and source matters. Yup. ---
**Author:** ![perogie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/perogie/32/13801_2.png) [@perogie](https://forum.headphones.com/u/perogie)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 5:17pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/118 "2020-07-12T17:17:41Z")
> [@ProfFalkin](#): > > I leaned 2 things: You can’t un-hear the difference, and source matters. Yup. This is what I try to explain to people when they ask me why I spend $$ on audio gear, because Ive heard the difference and going back is unpleasant. Wife just asked me why I want higher end IEMs when I just bought run of the mill bluetooth ones (which are essentially YT and podcast only) a few months ago… Can’t tell you many songs I use to love growing up that are no longer something I want to listen to. ---
**Author:** ![rrwwss52](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/rrwwss52/32/945_2.png) [@rrwwss52](https://forum.headphones.com/u/rrwwss52)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/119 "2020-07-13T00:06:01Z")
![Screen Shot 2020-07-12 at 5.04.28 PM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/2X/1/1b3148b4ee4f943e6beada811b434a7338255f5f.jpeg) TODAY at 1:30pm…It was actually a little hotter later in the afternoon…106F I think summer is here. We’ve been lucky so far that it hasn’t been too hot. ---
**Author:** ![frkasper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/frkasper/32/9408_2.png) [@frkasper](https://forum.headphones.com/u/frkasper)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 12:37am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776/120 "2020-07-13T00:37:38Z")
15% humidity. Looks like our winter here. 😄 But 78F is very OK for indoor headphone usage, right? At least for me. [Previous page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776.md?page=5) [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/what-makes-stuff-fatiguing/4776.md?page=7)