Just wanted to make sure I would get everyone's opinion so I posted this subject in both forums.


I was unsure of where to post but I am very curious to hear opinions on the subject. I have been told that speakers change there specs the longer they play until a proper burn-in time has been allowed. Is the burn-in time different for different speakers or is there an all around standard time that most will adhere to. I have been told 80 to 100 hours should be enough to break in any speaker or subwoofer. If anyone has an opinion on this subject please post it. I would like to hear all the different myths, legends, and folklore behind this process.

HT-EXT

links:

http://www.vikash.info/audio/audax/
This test seems a little harsh !!!

http://www.matrix-hifi.com/ENG_contenedor_rodajealtavoces.htm
You will find this link very interesting.

http://www.gr-research.com/burnin.shtm  
 

Actually I would almost say the opposite from experience. Woofers with high excursion may need to "break in" a while before really throwing the low freqs at them if you are worried about the suspension, but smaller speakers seem to benefit more from "burn in".

From what I have seen, the smaller speakers with low excursion will take a lot longer to burn in simply because they don't flex much. The thing is if you keep listening to them, you will here them start to "warm up". I think that is just a product of their suspension and material getting adapted to use. This seems to be especially true of high end "full range" drivers like Fostex.

I would say the average "break in time" for subwoofers is somewhere in the 2 to 3 hour range, but for those little drivers it could more like 200 hours depending on use and driver specifics.

What I don't know if is the "break in" appreciably changes T/S params. Something tells me it may make a very slight difference, but not much.

Take care,
Robert

THANKS, for the replies.

        I really like the fact there are difference between opinions. I have notice a change in my home built center channel from day one. I set the EQ fairly flat to start with and let it play for about week with about 20hrs. burn-in. Done the set up and everything was amazingly off by a long shot. Set it flat again, waited a week and done a another test. Again, off from flat but not as bad as the first time. Now after four months it seems to be leveling out. As for subwoofers I have notice improvements almost immediately but they seem to need at least 80/100hrs before they settle in. I like to start out slow for about 10hrs with around 3 to 4 watts of output and usually playing some type of music during this time. I gradually increase the power as the hours count down. This procedure applies to all my speakers big or small. If anyone has their own procedure please post it.

HT-EXT

What up 60 ???

      Nice sub dude. It blends so well with the surrounds it hard to see at first. Always good idea with the stealth look but my new sub sticks out like a sore thumb. I have some pics but got busy or should I say "into the build" and forgot to take any final assembly pics. I  now have a sub with 10"s that hits hard and fast but can be heard far away like 15"s.

     What is your opinion on the BURN-IN subject? Do you think all speakers need some or just a choosen few? How long has it took for your latest enclosure to become pleasing to the ears?


HT-EXT    

i really have to chime in here since i feel that the hdt spkrs that i made only a few montha ago were less and more than i expected. less bass, and way too much treble energy in the 3k range. i was patient, but wondered if things would ever change. now, it is correct to some degree that we do get used to the sound of our equipment in time, whether with a placebo effect, or maybe we become a little tone deaf to some of the annoying frequencies, he he. even pride of building something ourselves carries a certain prejudice. but, the mechanical nature of the speaker surrounds themselves breaking in, as it were, do have an audible effect. i know this just by what was almost an unbearable peak to me became much less noticible, and the bass response seemed to need less and less subwoofer input. i couldnt be more appreciative, since the hdt spkrs had so many benefits that i like in the first place.
to tak the subject a little futher, i am not one who believes that there are as great of differences, if any, in the breaking in of cable, and even some electronics. ok, i'm done here, whew!    greg