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Okay, How Important Is Speaker Break In? (Dynaudio Contour 60i)

I have been running 25+ year old B&W Matrix 803 S2 speakers in my 2-channel system for about 15 years, and I finally treated myself to new speakers.  Mock me for buying based on research alone, but I got a really good deal and just unpacked my beautiful Dynaudio Contour 60i's.  The Dyn's are not broken in, just starting to play around with different songs, but I am expecting an improvement out of the box, and not getting it.  They are no more revealing, and slightly harder and more jangley in the mids and highs.  The bass is of course much better with the big Dyns, but the B&Ws with the Dyn Sub6 subwoofer I was running were better.  I have very good equipment so it is not a matter of driving bigger speakers (ARC Ref preamp and Bryston 7bSST2 monoblocks).  Unless speakers get A LOT better with break in, I thinking these Dyns may be converted back into cash.   Thoughts? Thanks.
mathiasmingus
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,148 posts
 
In the winter months you have to let your equipment adjust to your house's temperature, say 3 days.  Then what JJSS49 said.
testpilot
896 posts
 
The Dealer will tell you that the speakers will take 35 days to break in.  That’s 5 days after the Dealer’s full refund return policy. Kidding aside, the speakers should open up with time. 
mathiasmingus OP
52 posts
 
Thanks everyone.  It'n not that I was not aware of break in as a concept and need, I am just not experienced with how significant it is.  My instincts align with millercarbon; I expect break-in to improve the sound, but not reinvent it.  These speakers simply do not sound as good in at least the mid-range.
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 
@jjss49
Yup, about 200 hours.
That is how long it took mine to relax, the bass was tighter, deeper, mid much more accurate, highs less tinny, and more natural sounding.

Even after 200 hrs, you will notice differences. Enjoy!

Those speakers are amazing! Enjoy them!!


midrange....WILL be amazing, have patience.
I thought mine were muddy, after time they are simply smooth, and accurate, guitar, vocals, are all superb!

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
If you think about all the material and mechanical elements that go into the construction of speaker drivers, it's clear that speakers will need a break-in period (just as car engines used to do).  On the other hand, it's true that whatever change is going to occur, is not going to be night and day.  Audiophiles trade in hyperbole, because small differences matter a lot to them.  Be aware also that there's another school of thought that contends that part (or all) of break-in is your ear getting used to the new sound.  So a reality check against the old product, if possible, is a good idea.  Above all, just don't let indecision take you past whatever deadline exists for a full-refund return.
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