Regarding Thiele-Small Parameters, which ARE measurements, and DO change with break-in: http://audiojudgement.com/measuring-thiele-small-parameters-part1/ As I stated earlier, "That’s just simple mechanics." "There are also mechanical changes which occur in the moving components during use. In this case, however, most of the changes seem to occur early in the life of the driver, and are almost certainly due to relaxation in flexing mechanical parts of the driver (e.g., surround, spider, etc.). SEVERAL STUDIES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED documenting substantial changes in the T/S parameters over the first few hours of use, some parameters changing as much as 15%+ over these initial periods.", is how this article describes it, under, ’Lifetime Changes, in Driver Behavior’(toward the bottom of the page): http://usenclosure.com/TS%20and%20Company/Thiele_Small%20Life%20and%20Times.html
Speaker Break In...? Or listener “Break In”?
Im interested in opinions regarding which has more impact; a speaker changing sound over the first 100-200 hours or a listener becoming more in tune with a certain speakers qualities and characteristics.
63 responses Add your response
That’s actually a very unconvincing argument. To whit, ” Notice from the graph below, that the 2 curves are ever so slightly offset. You could argue there is a difference, but it’s negligible, most certainly unnoticeable in the real world. However, if you measure the TS parameters before and after break-in, and you get different Fs / Qts numbers, you probably got a faulty driver. This is another reason why you should break-in a speaker. Starting out your project with a damaged speaker is a recipe for failure. Even if you don’t measure the parameters before break-in, making the speaker play at high excursions for 12 hours will almost certainly reveal flaws in the suspension, or voice coil defects.” |
It is both. I also think that an explanation for the range of opinions on speakers in part is that everyone hears slightly differently. I’ve also noticed that my speakers can sometimes sound differently depending on the temperature and humidity. Has anyone else noticed this? Could it be that the magnet is picking up a charge from the moisture in the air? |
@unreceivedogma- Changes in temp and humidity, are also mentioned in some of the above studies, as affecting TS parameters. Then too; sound propagates somewhat differently, with those changes. The disparity of aural acuity, between individuals(not to mention training/experience/perception and maybe: simply denial), is why(I’m certain), some don’t/can’t/refuse to hear the changes made by fuses, cables and speaker break-in. I don’t believe EVERY system, goes through(or- can resolve) changes that ARE audible/obvious. Some, no doubt, simply want to enjoy their music and not be bothered with listening that intently. Some of us have engaged these issues professionally. So many variables! |
I really do wish that there WASN'T break in for speakers. No doubt, some more than others, have a distinct amount of change. Yes, I do try to 'adjust' my hearing or impression at first, just so I can listen to some music, but if a driver has a midrange sibilance to it for example, it will be impossible for me to listen at all. One set of Audio Nirvana speakers sounded so bad for the first 4 hours, maybe more, that I wanted to send them back. By the end of the first day(in my shop, playing louder and louder) there was a very noticable change. Some things are not so easy to believe until you have heard them happen more than once. |
As I’ve been reporting on another thread, burn-in of new HIFIMAN RE-600S V2 earphones is progressing nicely. Right out of the box they sounded terrible - tinny, distorted, no bass, and wimpy. 1 out of 10. And there was very little change the first 200 hours, using Kraftwerk, B-52s and Beastie Boys CDs for the first 150 hours, continuous play, then the burn-in track on the XLO Test CD for the next 100 hours or so. At the 250 hour mark the sound is finally much more musical, the distortion is gone and there is some bass, which I have my fingers crossed 🤞 will get better. Why these earphones should take so long to burn in is a mystery. Is it the single crystal copper conductors in the new cable? Who knows? |
@b_limo Since we all hear what we hear, I'm not sure that there is an answer that everyone will accept....but a somewhat "inexpensive" test might be to buy a pair of Dirty Weekends from Zu which according to their website... Omen DW loudspeakers now get 100 hours of fully assembled, max-level burn-in so they will sound great right out of the box. In theory, given the Zu burn in of the loudspeaker, the buyer should notice almost no change in sound from original set up...and if they are noticing a change, then it must be them, the listener more than the speaker. Also, according to Zu, the Soul Supreme gets 600 hours....so this, in theory, would eliminate any chance of speaker burn in. Granted, all of the above may only apply to Zu and not to other loudspeakers...but it would be interesting to hear from Zu owners as to their experience. |
Oh, I dunno about all that. Depends on HOW the speakers - or anything - are broken in. Some methods are without any doubt more effective than others. We’ve known that for a very long time. I’m referring to burn-in tracks on Test CDs continuously as opposed to just playing music a few hours a day. The argument can be made the speakers will never completely break in without heroic efforts. 🏋🏻♂️ |
Here is some more evidence supporting burn in.http://http//www.gr-research.com/burnin.htm and http://www.gr-research.com/myths.htm |