Do speakers really break in?

[supersonic]

I've been through quite a few cab and speaker combinations. From what I can make out it takes my ears some time to adjust and like certain speakers. For argument sake fisrt time I hear a speaker it may sound too bright, but after a week or so my ears adjust and it doesn't sound so bright. Which leads me to the question, Do speakers really break in or do your ears adjust to them?

 

[Cirrus]

Yes, speakers really break in. They don't change loads, but new speakers do start out quite stiff and then as they're vibrated over time the moving parts move a little easier as they wear. Most (hard to quantify, but let's say 90%) of the change happens in the first few hours of use, but it's a process that continues for the whole life of the speaker.

Different speakers break in faster or slower depending on their construction, and how loud you play.

How does it affect the sound? I've found new speakers start with a little less bass and the treble doesn't sound quite so nice. But that usually changes pretty quickly, and it's not a big enough difference the the speaker is unuseable or you can't tell what it's going to sound like in a few weeks.

 

[supersonic]

I'm sure the speakers change slightly. I'm thinking your ears adjusting play a bigger part.

 

[steve_k]

Yep, like a pair of old jeans or boots, they break-in, and quite significantly, IMO. Like anything else with moving parts, they are going to loosen up over time. Lower wattage speakers like Greenbacks that have been ridden hard are a goof example.

 

[blackba]

Yes speakers break in, the cones and suspension will loosen up over time, which typically means smoother highs and bigger bass. I have even hear Hifi speakers break in.

In my experience break in is significant, however if you hate a speaker new out of the box, you will probably hate it after it is broken in. If you like it new, you will likely like it more after it breaks in.

 

[Scumback Speakers]

There's quite a difference between a new speaker and one that's been played at stage volume for 30-40 hours.

 

[Ventura]

There's quite a difference between a new speaker and one that's been played at stage volume for 30-40 hours.

Or variac'd for 15 to 20 hours.

Just sayin',
Mo

 

[D-Rock]

Anything that physical moves will have a resulting affect on the object itself.

 

[Scumback Speakers]

Or variac'd for 15 to 20 hours.

Just sayin',
Mo

LOL, yeah, that too. But you'll find that playing the speakers at stage volumes will even break in the FBI/variac'd speakers another 5% or so.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Yes, if you put your foot through one.

 

[Shark Diver]

From what I can make out it takes my ears some time to adjust and like certain speakers. For argument sake fisrt time I hear a speaker it may sound too bright, but after a week or so my ears adjust and it doesn't sound so bright.

That's just hearing loss. Don't worry about it

 

[Ventura]

Anything that physical moves will have a resulting affect on the object itself.

Yes Confucius.

Confucius also say, kitty with flea, better than pussy with crab.

 

[hunter]

Nothing happens to the speakers, just your ears break.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Like a baseball glove breaks in.

Even acoustic guitars break in. The guy that does my repair work advise standing my new acoustic by the surround sound speaker to assist in breaking in.

There is something to it.

 

[DoomBuggi]

Yes, if you put your foot through one.

 

[SLOgriff]

Anything that physical moves will have a resulting affect on the object itself.

Yes Confucius.

Confucius also say, kitty with flea, better than pussy with crab.

DUDE!?!?! That was all the way from left field and darn funny!!!

 

[Badronald]

No they don't. It's all a big lie.

 

[Heritage Softail]

When Bush was in office they never broke in.

Since we are adding random comments, and he was able to control hurricanes. Seems speakers would come under his powers.

 

[supersonic]

There's quite a difference between a new speaker and one that's been played at stage volume for 30-40 hours.

Do they peak, the degenerate? Or once broken in do they just get better with age? I do remember reading that speakers will wear out.

 

[MrDan666]

V30's are a prime example... They sound like hammered shit when brand new, but after a good 30-40 hours of stage volume they totally transform into a killer sounding speaker.