Breaking in speakers?

Message

i_got_a_mohawk · #1 Post by **i_got_a_mohawk** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:06 pm

Just wondering how important it is?

Sydney · #2 Post by **Sydney** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:15 pm

I Highly recommend it. Helps you find a bad speaker in short order so it can be returned under warranty- before it's in a cab. Some of the forum members who didn't "break in" were initially disappointed by the sound only to hear it improve with play as it loosen to final specs.

DJ Big Ronn · #3 Post by **DJ Big Ronn** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:32 pm

Not that big of a deal. If the voice coil dosn't drag right away, it's ok. Just let it play and let nature do it's thing. I've run four dr250's and 6 T48's without break in, and all is good. It will loosen a bit over time, but I just dont find the extra time to break it in worth the effort. Just my 2 cents.

JReynolds · #4 Post by **JReynolds** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:18 pm

When you don't break em in they sound better and better after each use. Usually after about 4-5 gigs they are in the zone.

Clinco · #5 Post by **Clinco** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:37 pm

What is the best way to break in a speaker, other than playing your usual music through it for ... how many hours?

-- Thanks

i_got_a_mohawk · #6 Post by **i_got_a_mohawk** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:50 pm

Cheers guys, ill consider it when ive finished making it, if i have time, i may do the whole break in thing, if not, i wont.

This will be the first time im using new speakers, ive always bought used!

David Carter · #7 Post by **David Carter** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:50 am

i_got_a_mohawk wrote:Cheers guys, ill consider it when ive finished making it, if i have time, i may do the whole break in thing, if not, i wont.

This will be the first time im using new speakers, ive always bought used!

I've always bought used stuff before, too. I just finished my Omni 10 on Friday, and, to my ear, it sounds great even without breaking in the drivers. I look forward to it getting even better over time!

Sydney · #8 Post by **Sydney** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:02 am

To Clinco:
There probably isn't a best way. A search for breaking in/bedding in will give you a wealth of techniques.
These methods can be started & left to run overnight & don't require your presence.
They include feeding the driver interstation FM noise ( filtered to pass bass & not overdrive).
Setting a cd player to loop a low freq test tone ( you can find cd w test tones, you can make your own, or download (check David Perry links I think ).
or use a freq. generator to produce a low freq if you have one.
Most changes probably occur in the 1st 24 hours of use - some will continue
to show subtle changes for up to 200 hours - depending on the composition of surround & spider. I think rubber surrounds take a little longer

Clinco · #9 Post by **Clinco** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:19 pm

>They include feeding the driver interstation FM noise ( filtered to pass bass & not overdrive).
Setting a cd player to loop a low freq test tone ( you can find cd w test tones, you can make your own, or download (check David Perry links I think ).
or use a freq. generator to produce a low freq if you have one.
Most changes probably occur in the 1st 24 hours of use - some will continue
to show subtle changes for up to 200 hours - depending on the composition of surround & spider. I think rubber surrounds take a little longer
<

I think I get it. For full range speakers (e.g. DR250) it's the woofer that would benefit from breaking in, so the white noise low pass filter should cut off the signal at the intended crossover frequency, correct?

I have an audio generator, but wouldn't setting it at a particular fequency (e.g. 100 Hz) just "break in" the mechanical resonances at that frequency and no other?

(I'm not an audio pro, thanks for indulging what might be really elementary questions)

-- Clinco

AntonZ · #10 Post by **AntonZ** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:55 pm

If you opt to break in drivers with low frequency bass tones, it is advisable to do so before mounting it into an efficient horn. Especially if you don't want to do structural damage to your house, or have neighbours within a few hundred yards.

I couldn't hear an 8" Tangband in the room where it was fed a moderate sine wave at some 20-30hz. But I could hear it two floors down. I don't want to know what would have happened to my house if it were in a TT enclosure.

bgavin · #11 Post by **bgavin** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:01 pm

Use TrueRTA and set the frequency at 10 Hz or so. Feed it 10v which is enough to exercise the cone, but not harm it.

This very low frequency is below the efficiency range of all the horns, and below most of the direct radiator functions. It should be inaudible, and not rattle the house.