Monitor 50 speaker break-in question

Blind_man_Wayne

Hi all,

I just bought two Monitor 50 speakers. I use them with my RCA STA-3900 receiver bought new at Radio Shack for $100. My CD player is a SONY CDP-CE335 costing about the same. I have about $400 invested in my stereo system.

The audio is decent, but a bit bright. I immediately found it necessary to significantly reduce the bass and treble settings on my receiver from where they were set with my previous speakers. I have about 30 to 40 hours on the Monitor 50s. I’ve heard that it can take up to 100 hours or more to break in a speaker. How likely is it that my new speakers will sound warmer down the road? The midrange is where I hope they become more responsive.

cnh

Good advice above...

Also keep in mind that a cheaper Radio Shack receiver is probably going to be BRIGHT...and even a bit harsh for a speaker like the M50 which has decent high end details and well defined midrange. I'd invest in another receiver or amp.....but a sub might also help.

If you can't hear good midrange after 50-100 hours of break-in time...it is TIME to trash your receiver!

cnh

mmadden28

Time to 'break in' in your speaker will vary depending on what music your using to break it in with. I would imaging something that makes the drivers move visibly will work the best (without over doing it) for breaking in the spider and surround of the driver.
Just mix it up with a good variety of music. Some companies make CDs to just that for you.
IMHO, I'm doubtful the manufacturer does nearly enough, if any, testing on ALL of the drivers and crossovers that leave the factory-probably a sampling from each batch would be my guess. But not enough to properly break them in.

Again just my thinking, but the 'spider' and 'surround' in the driver itself are new and likely stiff. Getting them moving will help loosen them up and move more freely. This is immediately evident if you compare a vintage driver to the same model new driver.
Secondly the capacitors in the Crossover also need to be broken in--I hear it said everytime somebody does a XO cap replacement, that they sound harsh or bright when first used, but calm down over time.

It should also be noted that not all speakers mate well with all recievers/amps--apparently some have better synergy than others with each other.

Anyway, just give them some time--Play something through them when you're not home, and Welcome to Club Polk!