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Do you think driver “break in” is real?

Do you think “high end” drivers and crossovers typically need a “break in” period before they sound their best?  I ask because, I believe I’ve experienced this first hand in a very significant way. I replaced the tweeters (same exact brand and model as original) in my ACI Sapphire 25 year anniversary edition speakers and for the first week I thought I’d lost my all time favorite speakers. I was depressed!  So I just kept playing them…  finally after a couple weeks, I’m literally stunned and blown away at how incredible these speakers sound. Completely different than the first 30 or 40 hours after I put in the new Scan Speak tweeters. So I say break in period must be real - at least for some drivers. Has anyone else experienced this to a degree that is unmistakeable?  
Crossovers too?  I just rebuilt the crossovers for a pair of ACI Sapphire XL’s (using highest quality components- same values) and so far they sound mediocre. Hoping for the same result as my other Sapphires but after about 20 hours - no noticeable difference - and they do not even sound as good as prior to crossover rebuild. They sound flat, too bright with poor imaging - but for 10 to 15 years they were pretty great sounding speakers. Thoughts on crossover break in?? 
Thanks to anyone who responds!!  

sal1963
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,618 posts
 

"Once upon Your Dime...."

Does anyone other than me remember the suggested break-in time/mileage on cars and motorcycles?  The back-lot gray matter gurgles something about '500mi. or 30 days'....intelligent it was, for getting used to a new larger collection of bits 'o this 'n that with the potential of harm and/or demise of you at minimum?

Yup, thought so.
"Lets' do a fiery burn-out leaving the lot in the new 'Stang!"
"Doughnuts in that cul-de-sac?!  WTH Not....!"

Simple.

The warranty doesn't cover idiocy. 

Any spankin' new driver?  100hrs. at a 'civil' level; after that, it's your ears, spouse as exists, and your neighbors' tolerance level(s).

My DIYs' (not just a cabinet, remember?) get stuck on a streamcaster @ a low Muzak dB for 100hrs.; rising after that in 5~10 dB for a day or evening.

Those periods are inclusive of anything that I consider to be a suitable 'workout' for a 'newbie', all freq's all the time...

I won't try to break anything for a month.
Listening all the time, until the end.
Then I just enjoy. *S*

Imho...they're your speakers.  I don't have to pay for the shipping, making calls, emails..... 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
drlou77
109 posts
 

Another view for subwoofers.

https://avgadgets.com/subwoofer-break-in-dispelling-the-myth/

blackbag20
455 posts
 

For what it's worth, Andrew Jones was quoted as stating it's not a big deal.  

bache's avatar
bache
521 posts
 

Placebo effect,   Breaking time is the just in you mind

 

moonwatcher
447 posts
 

Yes, break-in of any mechanical device is real. What is wrong is with manufacturers making YOU do the break in. Now, speaker guru Andrew Jones says that 90% of most break-in can occur in the first 10 hours for a well-designed driver.

OK, that sounds reasonable. What is not reasonable is manufacturers selling speakers requiring 200 hours or more to break in. This would put most people well into the end of the return period - perhaps beyond it. I mean, let’s face it, not everyone is going to buy a pair of speakers, wire them out of phase and put them in a basement playing Ted Nugent at 100dB for 200 hours. Not even counting the small amount of electricity used.

No. If a speaker manufacturer is foisting such poorly designed products on consumers they shouldn’t be patronized. I know I’ll never buy any speaker with such a reputation. The "recovering audiophile", Andrew Robinson, and his wife got into a discussion about this topic several months ago and concluded the same. 

That "break-in" should be required of the manufacturer BEFORE they ship them out the door.

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