Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Speaker Break In: Fact or Myth?

and break dancing was invented so we couldn't enjoy videos in the 80s.

When playing recordings through a speaker, the voice coil in the driver does heat up and there is slight movement in driver itself so it is possible for the parameters of the loudspeaker driver (Thiele/Small) to change slightly when in use. This has been shown by using extreme measures such as playing a sine wave through a driver for specific periods of time. It is a extreme test however it really doesn't prove anything. I can put a 10hz sine wave through the driver and I can tell you it will definitely cause "break-in".

The two problems I have with the pseudoscience behind break-in is knowing the exact time period the driver parameters have changed and then claiming it to an improvement in sound quality (can't it degrade sound quality? no change at all?). We never hear about the latter claims.

Secondly, with a well designed driver when at rest for a period of time (and it is not blown or defective) and measure the driver lets say after 24 hours of rest (not just for 1 minute or an hour after use), the Thiele/Small parameters will revert back to their equilibrium state (or very close to). This final measurement is what all these break-in tests lack. In real-world conditions we might have 12-24 hour breaks or more between our listening sessions.

If the speaker crossover or electrical device uses a capacitor of any kind, break/burn in will affect variables.

Check out this post, it is very interesting:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/parts/81355-capacitor-burn-break.html

As I have always said, if you can hear a difference after 1 or 100hrs of "break in", what does the next 1-100hrs of break in yeild? A poor/sloopy sounding speaker? I highly doubt anyone can hear any audible differences in playback due to this surround loosening associated to "speaker break in", if you could I do not think I would want to hear that speaker after a 1000 hrs of playback, it would be terribly loose.

Break in of electrical components is a debate with two firm positions, you believe or you dont. Two of the worlds best speaker makers also disagree on speaker break in. Harbeth say it is not needed, B&W recommend 15hrs. I guess it could also be down to build materials.

I wonder what side Alan and Ian are on?

Firmly on the "not necessary" side, from what I recall.

I believe people who believe in burn in also wear tinfoil hats to prevent the government from reading their thoughts.

I have own many speaker who were most of the time brand new here is a short list...

Warfedale diamond 9.2
Monitor Audio RS6
Monitor Audio RX6
Quad 22L2
Focal 826V

Call me a fool but yes they all need a break time period. Placebo or not, it do not need a baccalauréat to realise the sound is changing.

But that's just it. People have looked at the output of a speaker with a spectrum analyzer. It doesn't change.

Only the listener's perception of the sound changes.

I know my system sounds best on spring days, when there's a soft breeze coming in through my living room windows, carrying the scent of fresh blossoms. I'm sure it has something to do with the density of the air while when it is suspending traces of plant matter.

Mine always sound best whenever I've had a drink or two of my favorite beverage, either Zaya rum or maybe Samuel Adams beer but also I've noticed the damn things always seem to perk up a lot whenever a Stevie Ray Vaughan tune is being played whether I'm in a chemically induced state of mind or straight up sober.