Why break-in periods?

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crouse
crouse Posts: 34
edited October 2012 in Electronics
I'm new to the fascination with audio and am wondering why the sound of components changes over the first few weeks of use. I'm surprised that the sound produced would change. Does anyone know the physics of this? Has the effect been measured by test instruments?
Thanks
Post edited by crouse on
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited October 2012
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    worms.jpg
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • kidglove13
    kidglove13 Posts: 207
    edited October 2012
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    Thats Funny ^^^^^

    I hope you did alot of reading on the subject before you jumped into the lions den. LOL
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited October 2012
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    test instrument.

    ear.jpg
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • crouse
    crouse Posts: 34
    edited October 2012
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    I gather there is disagreement. Perhaps a sort of placebo effect?
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited October 2012
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    One opinion: http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/breakin.html
    Jake
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,101
    edited October 2012
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    Great article, makes sense.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2012
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    Life is about maturing as an individual and becoming your best. Audio designers around the world are so inspired by this poetic notion that they all got together and agreed electronics should be designed as a metaphor for life itself.
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  • nwohlford
    nwohlford Posts: 700
    edited October 2012
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    11tsteve wrote: »
    test instrument.

    ear.jpg

    With analysis done by

    human-brain_1001_600x450.jpg
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  • crouse
    crouse Posts: 34
    edited October 2012
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    Interesting.
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  • Outfitter03
    Outfitter03 Posts: 563
    edited October 2012
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    Visited ZU Audio manufacturing the middle of August and walked through there speaker cabinet finishing and speaker assembly areas.

    Fun little tour and nice folks. Unfortunately did not get to listen to tunes as there demo equipment was in Cali for an audio show.

    I believe they "burn in" their assembled speakers (drivers, crossover components), for at least a couple hundred hours prior to shipping finished product. They run them every evening and through the weekends to get the hours on them prior to shipping. Now if they did not believe this made a difference, why would they go to this effort?

    I believe they have a satisfaction guarantee, and some people would never get over their first impression if it is bad. So maybe this plays into the mix instead of letting the customer break in their own speaker.

    How do they break in their speakers? Said they like to play music at moderate volumes. Same thing that has been said on this web site by experienced Club Polk members for years.
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited October 2012
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    Decal u owe me 10.00 for pain and suffering! I was laughing so hard i bit my tounge!
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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