Myth of break in period for speakers

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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2006
    How did you come up with that number and just where is the unbiased, factual, conclusive PROOF??!! We ain't gonna just take your word for it! :p;):D
    zombie boy 2000 wrote:
    316:D
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2006
    cfrizz wrote:
    How did you come up with that number and just where is the unbiased, factual, conclusive PROOF??!! We ain't gonna just take your word for it! :p;):D

    I thought it was 714!!!:eek:
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited December 2006
    my speaks sounded a little flat at first, but after I used them for awhile (not sure how many hrs, as they were on and off for about 3-4 weeks) they seemed to open up and not sound so flat...my amps have been the same, as have been my tubes....

    maybe it`s just me, but I believe in break in periods for all gear..
    don`t need numbers or graphs...my ears tell me what I need to know...
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2006
    beardog03 wrote:
    ...my ears tell me what I need to know...


    And that is where the argument should end . . . but nooooooo, people have to trust meters and scopes more than what each of us hear, no matter what the perception. I have an electronic engineering backround. At one time I set the output to a system to a perfectly flat response to all frequencies from the speakers . . . sounds great in theory right:rolleyes: . . . WRONG!:eek: it sounded like pure ****!:mad: I let the equipment reproduce the souce material and viola' it didn't sound like **** anymore.

    Case closed.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited December 2006
    Lallalalalalaa.... :).
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2006
    Joey_V wrote:
    Lallalalalalaa.... :).

    You are supposed to put your fingers in your ears first Joey, then do the LALALALALALALALALA.:p
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited December 2006
    HI -- How will Joey ever truly know that his fingers are in his ears unless Stephen Hawkings personally hand delivers a 987 page thesis documenting theoretical proof that this is indeed the case? You expect him to trust his ears?

    Cathy -- Since that number is now 825, I have already forgotten how I came to that original number:D

    Bear -- Rock on and keep spreadin' the gospel. We may not convert 'em, but we'll keep slayin' these heathens. Back into the firery oil pits all you unbelievers!!!!

    Joey -- I'm bringing a Bose cube to the Windy City Polk Gathering and me and you are going to go through a case of Beam while we sit and listen to the effer break-in over threee-straight days. I'll bring a stethoscope and a sledgehammer for scientific purposes.

    Fred... the thread ain't dead?!?
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited December 2006
    zombie boy 2000 wrote:
    HI -- How will Joey ever truly know that his fingers are in his ears unless Stephen Hawkings personally hand delivers a 987 page thesis documenting theoretical proof that this is indeed the case? You expect him to trust his ears?

    Joey -- I'm bringing a Bose cube to the Windy City Polk Gathering and me and you are going to go through a case of Beam while we sit and listen to the effer break-in over threee-straight days. I'll bring a stethoscope and a sledgehammer for scientific purposes.

    HAH!

    I can trust my ears, but if I hear two speakers side by side and the ones I thought broke in dont sound any different to the point where I couldnt distinguish them in an A/B if I had a gun pointed to my head, then it's a moot point for me.

    All I'm saying is that if I hadnt heard the brand new ones side by side next to the "broken in" ones, I would be just like the majority of the thread and say, "break in exists for me because the LSi9 or the Axiom M22 sounded so much sweeter after a X months of usage..."

    Once again, BREAK IN MAY EXIST. Physically, it probably does.... but acoustically, it hasnt given me much proof in the way of ears once I get an old pair and a new pair side by side.

    ZB... you can repeatedly say, Break in is not a myth... but I want to hear a speaker that is broken in and a speaker that is brand new side by side and be able to tell a distinguishable difference between the two before I will holistically agree that:

    1. Break in exists physically.
    2. Break in exists acoustically, in significant value.

    Until then, put me in the camp of a possible #1.

    Joey
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited December 2006
    Fair enough Joey.

    We're still getting sh*tfaced and "experiment" with those delightful Bose cubes:D

    My brother will be donating some (unknowingly) to the cause.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited December 2006
    zombie boy 2000 wrote:
    Fair enough Joey.

    We're still getting sh*tfaced and "experiment" with those delightful Bose cubes:D

    My brother will be donating some (unknowingly) to the cause.
    Mwahahaha... oh definitely my friend! :D
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2006
    Seriously though, let me relate a real story on speaker break-in, brain break-in, whatever you choose to call it. I did notice a substantial change in bass when I had my Athena towers. About 1 month after purchase, bass became noticably higher in level---it was really almost a day/night thing. I came home from work, put on some music, and noticed it right away---I immediately suspected the bass knob had been tampered with (had a Parasound PHP-850 then), but it had not.

    My Energy C-9's break-in was far more subtle, and most noticable in the midrange/treble spectrum, bass has not changed as far as I can tell. Initially the midrange was a little cold/analytical on stringed instruments, but softened after a couple weeks. The tweeter, which initially was very laid back (at least as compared to the Athena), opened up in the same time period.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Dave38
    Dave38 Posts: 101
    edited November 2007
    How are you guys breaking in your loudspeakers? Does the music play at a certain volume for the break in process?
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited November 2007
    I use classical music to cover as much of the full frequencies as possible and let it run at low-moderate volume in a loop for as many hours as it takes for the speakers to sound consistently good.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited November 2007
    I buy my loudspeakers already broken in. Saves time, money and effort.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited November 2007
    Pipe organ music is really good for the same reason hearingimpared stated. It covers all the frequencies and IMO, works the tweeters a little more than some other kinds of music.
    Jake
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited November 2007
    With monitors I stick them in a closet face to face with a heavy blanket, hook them up to an old receiver tuned into a classical station and let them run for 100-150hrs straight. On occasion, when the wife is away, I'll crank them up to about 85-90(normally 75db) for an hour or so.

    Towers take much 3-4 times as long, just because they are hooked up to my second rig. I'll play them all night since they are clear across the house at about 70 db. Also, I'll play them at about 75 db, during the day when we are not home.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
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  • Music Joe
    Music Joe Posts: 459
    edited November 2007
    Isn't the typical loudspeaker an electrically operated mechanical air piston motor?
    "The Web is a monoblog"
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited November 2007
    With monitors Istick them in a closet face to face with a heavy blanket, hook them up to an old receiver tuned into a classical station and let them run for 100-150hrs straight. On occasion, when the wife is away, I'll crank them up to about 85-90(normally 75db) for an hour or so.

    Towers take much 3-4 times as long, just because they are hooked up to my second rig. I'll play them all night since they are clear across the house at about 70 db. Also, I'll play them at about 75 db, during the day when we are not home.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2007
    Can you tell us again Marc? :D

    I've heard of people placing them speakers face to face with one out of phase. I just play them as I normally would and wait patiently.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited November 2007
    I believe in speaker break-in. It is real. Now, breaking in cables is a bit of a stretch.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited November 2007
    I have found a 16oz. ballpeen hammer is particularily effective at breaking speakers in, and out, of the cabinet.

    RT1
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  • Dave38
    Dave38 Posts: 101
    edited November 2007
    Does volume matter in the break in process?
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited November 2007
    I always believed that speakers needed a break-in period, but I was really surprised how different they sounded afterward. I replaced the bass drivers in my Tannoys, and man did it take a long time to get that rich sound back...I think it was about 180 hours...
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2007
    Bill Ayotte wrote: »
    I always believed that speakers needed a break-in period, but I was really surprised how different they sounded afterward. I replaced the bass drivers in my Tannoys, and man did it take a long time to get that rich sound back...I think it was about 180 hours...
    My Saturn S8's were the same way(same driver on top). They sounded terrible out of the box, I almost brought them back.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited November 2007
    Face wrote: »
    My Saturn S8's were the same way(same driver on top). They sounded terrible out of the box, I almost brought them back.

    I would kill to have a set of S8s...I have a set of System 8's, and two sets of PBM-8s at the moment...
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2007
    Bill Ayotte wrote: »
    I would kill to have a set of S8s...I have a set of System 8's, and two sets of PBM-8s at the moment...
    If I can find a pair of D700's, D900's, or System/DMT 15's, for a good price, I'll probably sell mine. I'll keep you in mind.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited November 2007
    markmarc wrote: »
    With monitors Istick them in a closet face to face with a heavy blanket, hook them up to an old receiver tuned into a classical station and let them run for 100-150hrs straight. On occasion, when the wife is away, I'll crank them up to about 85-90(normally 75db) for an hour or so.

    Towers take much 3-4 times as long, just because they are hooked up to my second rig. I'll play them all night since they are clear across the house at about 70 db. Also, I'll play them at about 75 db, during the day when we are not home.

    If possible make sure that it is a mono out of phase signal for the highest degree of cancellation.

    As for break in, check with your speaker manufacturer. Gallo recommends around 100hr at decent volumes or 50hrs or less at high volumes.

    As for the Bose, no joke, direct AC current works wonders for break in. We used to see how much pain speakers could take before blowing and the bose cubes would never blow, just jump around alot. No lie they sounded noticeably better after around 2mins of direct ac from the wall.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited November 2007
    My motorcycle tires need a few miles to break-in too.
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  • Dave38
    Dave38 Posts: 101
    edited November 2007
    I wonder what Polk recommends for LSi-15's?
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  • jephdood
    jephdood Posts: 1,671
    edited November 2007
    I've noticed some speakers/drivers tend to change sound with "break in" more than others.

    My Rocket 850's didn't go through much change at all. But I had a pair of Aperion 633's that sounded COMPLETELY different after ~25hrs. And, NO, it was not my ears adjusting... I put them under thick blankets and cranked them, closing the door behind me. I was never in the room while they were playing, and most of the time I was out of the house completely.

    The Aperions sounded 'thin' originally. But after break-in, everything was more "full", and the upper spectrum was much less harsh.
    "I did not slap you. I high-fived your face."
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