Speaker break-in: myth or reality?

[bottomzone]

Or maybe there was nothing (or too little) there to notice?

Exactly!

 

[Arjank]

from 43 to 40 Hz after break in

5 to 10% change is quite normal but it really doesn't matter that much because not only the Fs changes.
If you would put the numbers (TSPs) in one of these enclosure sims you will notice that the curves of before and after break-in are nearly identical.

 

[agedhorse]

5 to 10% change is quite normal but it really doesn't matter that much because not only the Fs changes.
If you would put the numbers (TSPs) in one of these enclosure sims you will notice that the curves of before and after break-in are nearly identical.

Agreed, this has generally been my experience too. Nothing (like a change in Fs) occurs in isolation. It’s all part of a multi-variable process.

 

[BassNugget]

You should have bought green felt pen instead.

I have some mpingo wood disks and some stones that say "shakti" on them for ya as well....or you could just have this brick. I'll place them over here next to the "pre-sniffed corks."

 

[fdeck]

5 to 10% change is quite normal but it really doesn't matter that much because not only the Fs changes.
If you would put the numbers (TSPs) in one of these enclosure sims you will notice that the curves of before and after break-in are nearly identical.

I like to think in terms of the electromechanical parameters, just because it's easier on my brain. Resonant frequency depends on cone mass and suspension compliance. Between those two things, it's probably more likely that the compliance is what's changing. Compliance affects all of the other major parameters. And that's before putting it in a box, which changes the system compliance. For instance a box volume equal to Vas cuts the system compliance in half (doubles the spring constant).

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I recall "breaking in the speaker" being a thing with the Greenboy cabs. Something about the Kappalites' cones being super firm and needing to be loosened up a bit? I never recall dramatic differences in before vs. after breakin of several of those cabs. This year I got a RevSound 28v with two eight-inch drivers. Dave @ RevSound recommended breaking them in so I did. I pumped a Duck Dunn bassline CD into the 28v @ moderately loud volume for about four hours. I began to notice a significant change in tone and response after about an hour or so. Before and after difference was striking. I recently got a RevSound 212 and did the same break-in process. There wasn't as substantial a change with the 212, but there was enough to notice and I'm glad I did it. I guess the mileage will vary depending on the speaker characteristics. The only real downside is you might end up improving your technique with Duck Dunn basslines.

 

[Gervais Cote]

The Eminence Alpha 8 driver I installed in my Ampeg BA 108 gave me more bass after a while as well.

 

[Patrice B]

It’s been a dozen or so years since I’ve bought a new amp , so I cannot recall for sure. I did buy a new pair of Audio Technica headphones about 3 years ago and thought they were “okay” at first, but that they did open the and sound better after about 20 hours .

Also, auditory sense is quickly « forgotten » unless there is really little time between « hearing » tests.

 

[agedhorse]

Also, auditory sense is quickly « forgotten » unless there is really little time between « hearing » tests.

Agreed, even 5-10 seconds can be deceiving. 20 hours may as well be an eternity.

 

[Matt Power]

Totally this! And memory is a thief...

"Memory is But a Gimmick"..Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit...Oteil on bass...KILLING!!

Sorry to derail. Back to speakers!!

I just got a replacement for my Trickfish Mini12...I got the new Mini 12L (light) cab, and from moment one, it sounds absolutely as full and rich as the one that saw about 200 gigs.

 

[Iristone]

It depends on the specific construction, but I believe agedhorse's analysis that bass and full-range speakers mostly won't really "break in". Maybe the "break-in" notion came from an earlier era of audio engineering, when even pro audio speakers still changed over time?

 

[Count Bassie]

It depends on the specific construction, but I believe agedhorse's analysis that bass and full-range speakers mostly won't really "break in". Maybe the "break-in" notion came from an earlier era of audio engineering, when even pro audio speakers still changed over time?

The guy who does recones here, who's done road tech work with the likes of Boston, TM Stevens, a pretty long list, has said that a newly reconed speaker is generally as little tight, and listened up just a bit with use.

 

[agedhorse]

The guy who does recones here, who's done road tech work with the likes of Boston, TM Stevens, a pretty long list, has said that a newly reconed speaker is generally as little tight, and listened up just a bit with use.

Very slightly, but measurable even if it can’t be heard. Generally not worth worrying about.