Out of phase breaking in, Anywone ever hear of it?


This is a technique I have used to break in speakers in the past.

Basically you place the speakers face to face with the drivers seperated by a small amount, maybe 2 inches or less between drivers. They you connect one speaker out of phase, negative wire to positive terminal. Finally you feed a mono signal, to the amplifier and play the sound at moderate levels.

The outcome of the process produces only a mild sound output since the out of phase signals largely cancel each other out. The cone range of motion is relatively large, and the speakers compliance is quickly opened up.

Care must be taken not to use this technique too long, you don't want to damage the speakers, just open the range up.

This has worked magic for me, shortening break in time dramatically.

Anyone else have any experience with this technique?
Thoughts would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Ron
starsandseas
VS Audio regularly uses this technique to break-in their speakers and did this to mine for me.
Well this is a new method to me and thanks for posting,
anyone know the theory behind this method; it seems to me to possibly be working the excursion of the drivers the most; being that a positive signal the drivers would move forward and a negative signal the driver would move back toward rest; being reversed the opposite would happen.
Yep. Monitor Audio mention it and actually recommend this method on their UK website regarding their Gold Series speakers. They also mention throwing a Doona (Heavy blanket) over them! I don't if thats because it gets very cold in England or because their housing is very small and joined and its meant to keep sound to a minimum so you dont disturb your neighbours.
I don't think there's really any theory at all except to play your speakers hard. The out-of-phase thing is simply to minimize SPL during break-in, making the process more tolerable in normal living situations and, consequently, allowing you to play the speakers louder and longer than you would otherwise.
Either Stereophile or TAS recommended this procedure at least 20 years ago. As I recall, they also suggested covering everything with a couple of blankets to help reduce the level so as not to drive everyone in the house crazy!