Realistic Break-in

[skads_187]

Just wondering, I have psb speakers, image series, t45, c40 and b15. Just wondering what a decent amount of break-in time is according to your experiences. Im thinking along the lines of 40 hours
and how low does the volume need to be?

 

[markw]

This is a fairly controversial subject.

The answers vary from none at all to several hundred hours for the time needed and anything from "just play 'em" to playing magical incantations through them while dancing around them naked in the light of a blue moon for how to do it.

I honestly believe that most of what's called break in is one's own ears getting accustomed to the new sound of a new speaker.

My take? Just play 'em like you normally would. If there's a change in their sound you'll be able to hear it and that's when break in has been accomplished. If you don't hear a change for the better after a few days, oh well, it's decision time.

Be aware that if you expect hear a change in their overall sound from something you don't like to something you do, you may be disappointed.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Just listen to your music. They will either break in or not (personally, I think not.)

 

[MDS]

I believe the Audioholics recommended break-in period is 10 seconds.

But seriously, there is a large body of evidence that says that it is your ears that break-in (as in you get used to the sound) as opposed to any significant changes in the speakers.

 

[Weasel9992]

The answers vary from none at all to several hundred hours for the time needed and anything from "just play 'em" to playing magical incantations through them while dancing around them naked in the light of a blue moon for how to do it.

I honestly believe that most of what's called break in is one's own ears getting accustomed to the new sound of a new speaker.

My take? Just play 'em like you normally would. If there's a change in their sound you'll be able to hear it and that's when break in has been accomplished. If you don't hear a change for the better after a few days, oh well, it's decision time.

Be aware that if you expect hear a change in their overall sound from something you don't like to something you do, you may be disappointed.

I completely agree with these statements.

Some of the speaker manufacturers would say that the "break in" time has to do with actual physical changes that take place as the cone stretches, speaker frame changes, etc., and that there's a thusly a real effect on the wave propagation. I've been at this for going on 20 years now, and I've yet to hear anything "break in" to a really shocking degree, and if there's a real change it usually happens so gradually that it's not a big deal.

Frank

 

[audioman00]

Speaker break in? maybe.... I know my system always sounds better after playing a few tracks first. Probably placebo effect, but I'm sure of it!

 

[skads_187]

so out of curiosity, can you put the speakers really loud from the get go without doing any damamge?

 

[markw]

dunno. define "really loud"

so out of curiosity, can you put the speakers really loud from the get go without doing any damamge?

Most likely they would survive if you maxed out your system to stupid loud levels.

But acknowledging that they are physical decives with perhaps a little mechanical stiffness (that should be alleviated within the first few seconds of playing), perhaps starting out at what most sensible people consider "normal" to "sensibly loud" levels for at least the first few minutes might be a wise move, just in case.

I didn't see a subwoofer listed in your lineup. Was that intentional?

 

[skads_187]

yeah, sorry, forgot to mention, i have a dps-12 velodyne, does that need breaking in?

 

[sydney]

a few years ago I bought a pair of PSB Alpha A/V's for my home office. They arrived on a friday just as we were preparing to leave for the weekend. ..To see for myself if speakers sound better (or even different) after breaking in, I hooked up both speakers but played music only through the left channel by using the balance control. I played the one speaker at a fairly decent volume for the entire weeked while we were away - well over 50 hours.

When I returned I played a mono signal through both - alternating b/w the left and right using the balance control - and I could not discern one iota of difference. I even put my wife (who has better hearing, I believe) to the test and should also could not detect a difference. Personally, I think break-in is more imagined than real.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I completely agree with these statements.

Some of the speaker manufacturers would say that the "break in" time has to do with actual physical changes that take place as the cone stretches, speaker frame changes, etc., and that there's a thusly a real effect on the wave propagation. I've been at this for going on 20 years now, and I've yet to hear anything "break in" to a really shocking degree, and if there's a real change it usually happens so gradually that it's not a big deal.

Frank

Here is an interesting read from a person in the know

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.audio.high-end/msg/7d26f5cc57ffd849


However. If I turn the stimulus off, within a few minutes most, if not
all, of the change has completely recovered, and we're back to go
again. The elstomer has recovered from it's stresses (this is
especially true of certain polybutadene-styrene surround
formulations).

 

[chadnliz]

If you want to play speakers while at work or at ho,e and not be as bothered by them place them facing each other and wire one out of phase, throw a blanket of them and you can play moderate levels and not be bothered. This is a often used method.

 

[3db]

Just wondering, I have psb speakers, image series, t45, c40 and b15. Just wondering what a decent amount of break-in time is according to your experiences. Im thinking along the lines of 40 hours
and how low does the volume need to be?

Being an owner of T45s, the 1B (B15) and 8c (c40) I detected no difference in sound from the day I first starting using them to now. Just play them like you normally would and enjoy them. Breakin happens with the mind, not the speakers.

 

[Brett A]

I believe the Audioholics recommended break-in period is 10 seconds.
But seriously, there is a large body of evidence that says that it is your ears that break-in (as in you get used to the sound) as opposed to any significant changes in the speakers.

The manuals with my new B&W 683s came right out and said this.

 

[corey]

New speakers, just like all other audio purchases, absolutely require a break in period. The proper way to do it is to crack open a few bottles of good wine & listen to some of your favorite music. The amount of break in time is proportional to the amount of wine available and inversely proportional to the amount of friends you share it with.

MarkW's custom of "dancing around them naked in the light of a blue moon" sounds like a good idea too.

 

[jamie2112]

Just listen too as many cds and movies as you can. Thats the best way to ENJOY breaking them in.......

 

[fredk]

Cory. If you're going to do the naked dancing thing, I suggest you change to champaign and find a partner. It takes the breakin thing to a whole new level.

 

[fmw]

Speakers do not break in. Speaker break-in has been tested and disproven many times. What breaks in is the listener's familiarity with them.

 

[PENG]

a few years ago I bought a pair of PSB Alpha A/V's for my home office. They arrived on a friday just as we were preparing to leave for the weekend. ..To see for myself if speakers sound better (or even different) after breaking in, I hooked up both speakers but played music only through the left channel by using the balance control. I played the one speaker at a fairly decent volume for the entire weeked while we were away - well over 50 hours.

When I returned I played a mono signal through both - alternating b/w the left and right using the balance control - and I could not discern one iota of difference. I even put my wife (who has better hearing, I believe) to the test and should also could not detect a difference. Personally, I think break-in is more imagined than real.

Some manufacturers do say after so many hours of break in the sound will improve. I suspect they say it to minimize returns. They know people are used to their existing speakers and may take some time to get use to, and appreciate the different but may be better sound. So yes, like others on this forum, I believe it is us who get broken in over time.

 

[mouettus]

yeah, sorry, forgot to mention, i have a dps-12 velodyne, does that need breaking in?

nope.... that needs to be replaced haha