Do loudspeakers ‘break in’?
- Thread starter Purité Audio
- Start date
I suspect it depends mainly on how relevant engineering quality is to the business. Neumann are from the high quality end of the spectrum and an indication of their approach is given in the "Preaching Tolerance" section near the bottom of the page here. It probably represents around the best that can be achieved today for a modest cost. Of course it requires the use of active crossovers rather than passive but if technical quality is a requirement then that would tend to follow.
Martin Roper
pfm Member
I'm not one for the technical data but I distinctly remember having some Kef 104/2 in the late 1980s that sounded much richer after a few days use. This may have been due to speaker burn in or the fact that I left the Naim equipment on permanently. I never really worried about the source of the improvement.
Gervais Cote
Predator
I work for a manufacturer of snowmobile drive belts and when installing a new belt, we recommend running it less than half throttle for 20 minutes and let it rest for complete cooling down. Failing to do so, the belt will not conform with the sheaves and performance will be affected.
The surrounds of some speakers being made of a similar rubber, they will also need some time to get their best flexibility, this is what we call a burn in period.
The surrounds of some speakers being made of a similar rubber, they will also need some time to get their best flexibility, this is what we call a burn in period.
Tony L
Administrator
Yes, absolutely. Speakers definitely benefit from regular use IMO. Environmental factors are very real too, e.g. even a well used pair of speakers usually sound noticeably ‘off’ straight out of a cold box from a courier etc. A whole lot of factors at play, e.g. surround and spider compliance, capacitor forming, internal air-load in sealed boxes etc. I never like to judge anything until it’s been in use a good while.
Conan
Loop digger
Last week I bought a pair of Linn Kan II (Ku stone) and straight out of the box they were very shouty with a fast low mid bass but no low bass at all.
A week later they are not so shouty and seem to have developed a much better low bass which I am very impressed (taking in consideration the size of the units).
This could be because of:
1. I am getting used to their sound
2. the speakers are breaking in
Tony L
Administrator
I’d put money on it being mainly 2 if they have been in storage unused for any time period. I’d not describe it as ‘breaking in’ as they are a vintage speaker, more acclimatising themselves to a new room’s temperature and humidity (they are a very well sealed box, so this takes time), re-forming old crossover caps and just loosening up again. They’ll keep getting better for a while yet IME. Not something to rush with volume or whatever, they’ll get to wherever they are going in their own time.
Gervais Cote
Predator
When the speakers are brand new, this sound difference comes from the break in.
When the speakers are used or old and left without usage for a long period of time, this might be caused by an empty capacitor recharging itself.
Our brain and ears also get used to a new sound as well, more specifically when you go from a colored sound to a more transparent one.
Conan
Loop digger
Just an update on my recent purchase (Linn Kan II (Ku stone).
One week after setting them up, they are now acclimatized. I can confirm that their presentation has somehow became softer (highs & mids) and the bass is tight but has more impact which works wonders with electronic music.
They are very good with jazz, quite balanced and have that amazing quality of disappearing.
They are a bit raw with a Nait 2 but I found the Onix OA21S to be a better match as it has a more polite presentation.
These speakers are keepers
One week after setting them up, they are now acclimatized. I can confirm that their presentation has somehow became softer (highs & mids) and the bass is tight but has more impact which works wonders with electronic music.
They are very good with jazz, quite balanced and have that amazing quality of disappearing.
They are a bit raw with a Nait 2 but I found the Onix OA21S to be a better match as it has a more polite presentation.
These speakers are keepers