Speaker Break-In

[cohenj]

In another thread, I read about speakers sounding different as they "break-in".

What exactly does that mean in terms of perceivable sound and how exactly does one break-in a speaker, other than through normal use?

Jeff

[Budda]

i dont know how it changes the sound.

there's 2 ways to break in a speaker: regular use (band practise and shows)

or you play for a bit with your amp absolutely maxed volume-wise. forget where i read that tho :P

[Wild Bill]

In another thread, I read about speakers sounding different as they "break-in".

What exactly does that mean in terms of perceivable sound and how exactly does one break-in a speaker, other than through normal use?

Jeff

Jeff, when a speaker is new things are kinda "stiff". This makes the sound more trebly and glassy.

After about 40 hours of playing everything has been flexed enough that the speaker sounds "warmer".

Some guys will break-in a speaker on their bench by taking a small transformer and running maybe 6 volts AC into it overnight. This feeds a loud hum into the speaker and you would want to shut the basement or garage door rather than listen to it.

Whatever, the difference is subtle rather than a whack-on-the head type. Most guys just play through it. After all, the speaker starts out sounding good. It just gets better!

:food-smiley-004:

[I_cant_play]

Living in an apartment I don't think proper breaking in would even be an option for me. Besides, I'd have no problem just waiting for it to break in as I play quite a bit anyway.. I couldn't see that being a problem one way or another.

[esp_dsp]

i think it as this... has you play you get to have fun just playing! and as you play more it gives you somethign to look forward to!

[Geek]

Hi,

A little trick I do for HiFi speakers that work well is input a subsonic signal (I use 15Hz) and adjust the signal generator or amp to pulse the cone at its rated Xmax. Run it overnight and that'll give you a good starting point for freeing everything up :)

Cheers!

[Yerffej]

I think it was the guy from steamco music who once posted about how to properly do it. I would try searching for that maybe, he has experience

[DavidP]

although you'll have to have access to a variac! http://www.unclespot.com/C10Q.html