Is this a logical break in technique?


Background of theory; take 3 people (just to explain my point, if this is even a point) each listen to different types of music. One rock, one jazz and one classical-keep it simple, if each one of these people only listen to one particular type of music for the entire break in period, do the speakers remember the focal points in the freq range of that type of music. Because jazz can be light, rock can be heavy and classical can be both as can all the genres but one genres compared to the other are recorded with different end results in mind.

Basically would it be better to break in a pair of speakers with pink noise and run the tones at different db’s just to expose the speaker to different signals basically training the speaker to produce anything and everything.

Example:

I listen to Jazz for 1 year straight on the same system as my friend. at moderate levels

My friend listen to rock for 1 year straight on the same system.

Say we swap system but not genres would there be a sound difference? If yes then this theory might have something to it. If not I need to lay off the weed.
ummagumma69dbb9
I have wondered exactly the same thing. From the stand point of triboelectric noise theory, the answer to the question is "yes," the systems would break-in differently and sound different since the electromagnetic fields of the signals will be changing the domain spins of the material in ways according to the music's harmonic structure.

However, the question is, more precisely, how much deviation from the noise average is required to cover the possible domain wall spins and/or scramble them enough to make the signature of the break-in independant of the music being played. It is a very interesting subject and I am starting to conduct my own research into it.

Pink noise is a good idea but there isn't anything that will prevent the system from de-breaking-in when you aren't listening to pink noise for extended periods (which I would say is most of the time!). This is assuming today's research is accurate which in and of itself isn't clear since our measurement capabilities aren't that good.

I can blab forever about this topic so if you are interested in more details, let me know. Anyway, sounds like the weed is making you think in the right direction. keep it up! ;) Arthur
Just listen to your speakers and enjoy them. They will break in gradually over time and you'll probably not notice much, since you'll get use to them. Just avoid really loud volume at first; and just use lower volume when you leave the system on while not listening.

Not sure "pink noise" would do the trick. Woofer/Mid drivers will break in some my moving. Most tend to be a little on the stiff side when new. A constant tone or noise may not do this.

Rock or Jazz probably does not really matter either. I would not break in speakers at high volume anyway. At lower volume they are likely to have about the same effect.

Play some jazz/rock... LOL !!
Now, I'm not joking - and I hate to reveal my best-kept secrets - but what I use for break-in, because it contains virtually all the elements from jazz, rock, and classical with strong dynamics is '70's "orchestral" disco such as the Salsoul Orchestra.

It contains the full range of strings, strong bass, solo sax, synthesizer and guitar, and voice.

Though some people might prefer listening to pink noise instead :)
Aball wrote: "From the stand point of triboelectric noise theory, the answer to the question is "yes," the systems would break-in differently and sound different since the electromagnetic fields of the signals will be changing the domain spins of the material in ways according to the music's harmonic structure."

wait a minute, wait a minute!
I know that Arthur is doing his Ph.D that's why he canuse such big terms like "triboelectric noise" but it happens to be in Class-D amps.....:-)

the speaker driver consists of a fixed magnet. the music signal current carrying conductor immersed in this fixed magnetic field causes the driver to flex back & forth. Take away the music signal & the driver stops moving. Assuming that the speaker internal wiring/conductor is sized correctly to carry the expected current, the conductor should *not* be stressed => the domain spins of the conductor material should not be distorted. IOW, the domain spins should return to their quiescent state. I.E. the conductor/speaker internal cabling should be memory-less.
Also, if you look at the *average* value of a music signal over a long period of time (the originator of the post suggested playing Jazz/Rock for 1 year straight), it is practically zero. IOW, it should leave the conductor/speaker internal cabling without any memory.
Anyway, just my thoughts FWIW.
bombaywalla & aball.

damm,did your heads swell up the size of watermellons to learn all this stuff or what,jesus i read both posts 10 times & i still dont understand a lick of it & i dont even smoke pot.

im not knockin what either of you guys said im just sayin its way over my fat head.

mike.
I am also with just listening to and enjoying them (as above). Stop driving yourself crazy. They'll break in if you use them.
Perhaps the domain spins will return to their quiescent state, and perhaps not. It would require a careful assessment of the relationship between the fixed magnetic field and the signal-carrying conductor to see if this is the case. I would suspect that some work on this has been done by speaker manufacturers to determine the shielding necessary to prevent any sort of interaction. Also, magnetic materials are tricky since they have residual flux whose value changes depending on the last circuit operating point - even if it is simply induced. This problem becomes very significant in large transformers where you can have a huge power surge when you bring one online if the residual flux level is high. Whether a fixed speaker magnet can have this problem enough to affect the sound is another matter...I suspect the woofer surround has a much larger impact than that at any rate.

Either way though, there is more to it than the speaker and there is no clear answer to the question! Fun to think about though.
This non-scientific idiot (me) would like to suggest that if the speakers don't receive deep bass signals during break-in (or ever, for that matter), the surrounds won't loosen. Period.

As for the other drivers, it's all about breaking in the crossover components and wiring and the surrounds,isn't it? How can a hard dome tweeter know the diffence between a violin's F######### and Mariah Carey? Both will send you out of the room.
willhiteb@bellsouth.net

you are correct - deep bass to loosen the woofer surround. other signals to break-in the xover & mid & tweeter surrounds.
Nobody is arguing THIS point. In fact, we are beyond this point.

what the originator of this thread would like to know is: would a music system sound different if it were broken in on ONLY Jazz or ONLY classical or ONLY rock & (after the break-in period) be asked to play other genres of music VS. a music system that was broken-in using mish-mash of all 3 genres & after the break-in period) be asked to play other genres of music?

Bigjoe: No! peg it to 2 EEs chating on a forum thread.
Bombaywalla:

With all due respect to the EE factor, the question is moot.

The break-in will evolve according to what the system is fed. Jeeez. Feed it new stuff, the system will adjust. Two days or two years later. Either positively or negatively depending upon your taste.

There can't possibly be a "permanence" to the initial break-in source (unless you try to blow a woofer) if the system is exposed to all genres over time.

And besides, the whole concept is immeasurable and totally subjective.

Whose ears are the given?
And what did s/he have for lunch that day?

My other two cents.
One theory is that one must first use continous long term signal for proper break in. As for me, I don't know diddly.
willhiteb@bellsouth.net,

"There can't possibly be a "permanence" to the initial break-in source..."
My initial post tried to say exactly that but I wrote it in a diff way - I wrote "memory-less", if you remember? Anyway, looks like we are saying the same thing.

"And besides, the whole concept is immeasurable and totally subjective"
very possibly so!

IMHO, the originator of this thread should lay off the weed. (Now, I feel a bit silly taking the bait! Oh well....I didn't get too excited as I used in the past)
Bombaywalla:

I just took the time read your initial post to this thread. Got to the bottom and my post was redundant.

We're on the same page, friend.

But what is IOW? New one to me.
Well I want to thank everyone for their info. I have since auditon 3 pairs of speakers and I'm very confused. Triangle Antal, Thiel 1.6 and QUAD 22L. My system is so far a Primare CD21, Music Hall MMF5, Bose 701's (eww) and an old Pioneer VSX9700S A/V Reciever. I know I know you dont have to say it. This will change in a few months.

I have been an audio freak since 91 at the age of 16 i bought the 9700S with the money I made over that summer. I was the only kid on all of long island who had a full prologic setup in his bedroom. We use to watch the Song Remains The Song on LD yes LD stoned out of our minds the sound was awesome.

Any way I AM A TWO CHANNEL GUY AND VINLY SOUNDS BETTER THAN CD'S BY A LANDSILDE.

www.playgroundz.net