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  3. 192006-94512

Do speakers need to be re-broken in?

Just purchased a set of speakers which have sat for quite while- 5 years from what I am told. I have heard the differences between new "tight" speakers drivers and a broken in pair, where the bass gets deeper and the speaker "breathes" better and sounds more open, and clear and resolves better, you know- just sounds better all-around.

I haven’t witnessed this personally in my own home in over a decade, and that was with planar drivers and not conventional cones, which this set has, but regardless of speaker technology I believe it is well understood this is a necessary process and manufacturers agree and suggest this- so not looking for any arguments there please.

But I would think used, or already broken in speakers would not do go through this process, but my ears are telling me they are getting better, so contrary to my assumption perhaps they do need re-breaking in? Anyone else gone through this?

128x128mclinnguy
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,842 posts
 

How do you separate your perception from your expectations? 

So if expect there not to be an improvement from break in, then you won't hear it.
Got it.

All the best,
Nonoise

phusis's avatar
phusis
1,203 posts
 

Having sat dormant for 5 years, they do need re-break in, if only for a short while - meaning, likely just a few hours, if that much.

hikerneil
36 posts
 

This is a popular myth that is provided by the speaker industry so that if you bring your speakers home and don't like them, they can explain it away that they are not yet broken in.  A few weeks later your ears forget how good your old speakers sound and presto!  No return is required!  If they really simply needed break-in - don't you think the manufacturers would do this process before shipping!  We are so gullible............

Post removed 
mfili35
43 posts
 

Yes the base will loosen up the highs will smooth out and so will the mids.. I would believe some high-priced speakers are broken in at the factory, but I have noticed that there is a huge difference after 100 -300 hours.. yes some speakers take months to reach their potential and it's definitely not your ears getting used to them.. some I have bought including headphones that have sounded terrible when I first got them.. it's definitely a real thing. as for headphones the only headphones I ever bought where my t90 and t1 Teslas by Beyerdynamic that never changed in sound they sounded good right out of the box..kef speakers take 300 hours

 

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