DanielT
Major Contributor
Break-in/ Burn in and finally burn out. A frustrated DIY who ended his projects with a bang, so to speak? :
A lot have been talked for thousands of years, like flat earth….
So what does it say? I don't watch videos :/Interesting interview of Nate from Kali Audio about speaker break-in :
https://www.instagram.com/p/CyRmryrvlxH/
Pretty much tells what we already know here, but it's nice to see more manufacturers being real about this.
He says that driver break-in can make a difference, but it is so minute that it shouldn't be audible. He also says that he worked at JBL before, and they did power tests where new PA drivers were blasting 140dB SPL for multiple hours, as a stress test to make sure they could withstand the power and heat. Even with that, it made no significant difference. He also adds that everything can age, but newer drivers are using materials that should last even longer that what was used in the past.So what does it say? I don't watch videos :/
Thank you so much!He says that driver break-in can make a difference, but it is so minute that it shouldn't be audible. He also says that he worked at JBL before, and they did power tests where new PA drivers were blasting 140dB SPL for multiple hours, as a stress test to make sure they could withstand the power and heat. Even with that, it made no significant difference. He also adds that everything can age, but newer drivers are using materials that should last even longer that what was used in the past.
His explanation for this myth is both because of the time it takes for the brain to adapt to a new pair of speakers, and also the difference that driver temperature makes. People that measure a new driver at cold temperature, feed a loud white noise for hours, and then measure right after, are just measuring the effect of temperature.
All equipment need to be brought up to operating temperature before turning up the volume. No different than anything else that has moving partsHis explanation for this myth is both because of the time it takes for the brain to adapt to a new pair of speakers, and also the difference that driver temperature makes. People that measure a new driver at cold temperature, feed a loud white noise for hours, and then measure right after, are just measuring the effect of temperature.
I know a few midlife failures. I'll try connecting them to clean AC!Mid life failures are usually poor AC voltage feeds.
It could be the DC part of you life.I know a few midlife failures. I'll try connecting them to clean AC!
I don't think anyone will disagree with what you said, but the "myth" is that breaking-in a speaker is absolutely necessary for them to operate in the way their intended. It's different from a warmup that needs to be done everytime you power on the speakers. This is supposed to be done one time only, and we are yet to see an example of a speaker out from the factory where this process makes a significant difference.I keep reading about "Myths." Depends where your from. Breaking-in is as real as a person's understanding of what it is.
The slowing down of wear through the reduction of resistance from the components parts (surrounds and spiders), not the environment.
Did the parameters change?Phil Ward dropped an 8C that broke it.
Keith
Tell them to buy a new sports car! They'll feel better!I know a few midlife failures.
hum~ but it could potentially cause the consumer to run the new gear at excessive level for extended time just to "break it it quickly before listen", wastes power, annoy neighbour/wife, and reducing the useful life of components if it was ever a concern.Whether a speaker break-in is a myth or not is a pretty small point and is irrelevant to most folks.
Unlike high end cables that people can potentially spend thousands on with no benefit.
Now if someone is saying a $20k speakers is no better than $2k speakers- that would be a much more beneficial conversation if it were true.
I would agree, except lots of YouTube videos show speakers driven to max for extended time. This is wear-out. One of the videos posted earlier in this thread is some believer driving a woofer to maximum excursion for 30 hours, which is wear-out or breakage for no gain. Scanning random forums, I see recommendations for putting speakers face to face and driving them out of phase at full beans to break them in.Whether a speaker break-in is a myth or not is a pretty small point and is irrelevant to most folks.
Unlike high end cables that people can potentially spend thousands on with no benefit.
Now if someone is saying a $20k speakers is no better than $2k speakers- that would be a much more beneficial conversation if it were true.
You are right…that would be stupid. No one ever said breaking in speakers is to play at full volume. For those people, there is no hope and it’s most likely an edge case. But for the rest of the normal people, I still stand by that speaker break-in is a non-factor. Folks will buy speakers based on the sound they hear, not based on how well it breaks-in.I would agree, except lots of YouTube videos show speakers driven to max for extended time. This is wear-out. One of the videos posted earlier in this thread is some believer driving a woofer to maximum excursion for 30 hours, which is wear-out or breakage for no gain. Scanning random forums, I see recommendations for putting speakers face to face and driving them out of phase at full beans to break them in.This is crazy, the waste is blown and worn out drivers, and the tolerance of everyone within earshot! So I do lump speaker break-in in with the mega-wasteful things that audiophiles do.