All is well. How's Metallica doing?
I never really notice a break in with new speakers. I'm pretty sure they sound the same as they did when I hooked them up, which is a good thing. They're very similar to the bookshelves and I *think* (placebo anyone?) I detect more presence in the midrange. Imaging, sq, everything else is still there. Every time I look at my system it puts a smile on my face.
I have been experimenting with direct, pure direct and l/r bypass on Audyssey a lot lately. In fact I considered starting a thread about it and still might. I like some things about direct or bypass and I also like things that Audyssey does.
When I'm in direct mode I get more of the mid bass that kicks you in the chest from my towers, which I like, but the rest just doesn't sound as good to me as having Audyssey enabled. Basically, I do like Audyssey's room correction, but it makes my towers sound enemic in the bass department. Even at full range. In direct mode it's actually too much (no sub, just towers), but plugging the ports on the towers tames it down nicely.
Keep an eye out. I think I'm gonna start a thread about this.