Hello:
I'm new the forum, but I'd figure I'd weigh in (even if I am reviving an old thread that is perhaps a bit off topic
Anyway, I recently upgraded a JBL/polk setup (don't ask) to PSB Image T45s, and B15s. I'm getting a C40 in a couple weeks....
First of all, I love these speakers. I have an older Sony ES (STR-DA2ES) 6-channel receiver. I've left the impedance switch on 8, and they sound fantastic. I don't even have a sub, and I've found that I'm missing my center channel more than the sub.
I haven't noticed much break in with the T45s. I've got probably 40 or so hours on them so far.
I think on older speakers, when cones were paper and surrounds were foam and tweeters were made of softer materials, there was probably more break in, but with polypropylene, rubber, aluminum. fiberglass, and kevlar replacing most of those materials in most new speakers, break in has become less of an issue. What I do believe in strongly is ear break in. I think you have to get used to new speakers.
Interestingly enough, I have a pair of Sennheiser HD280PRO headphones that sounded completely different after several hours break in. I nearly returned them (lack of bass) until someone suggested I leave them stretched over a couple books for a day or so with a cd on repeat on the volume reasonably loud. After that, there was significant bass..... I was surprised.
For what it's worth, PSB's website says there is no break in required.
