Do speakers need to be re-broken in?


Just purchased a set of speakers which have sat for quite while- 5 years from what I am told. I have heard the differences between new "tight" speakers drivers and a broken in pair, where the bass gets deeper and the speaker "breathes" better and sounds more open, and clear and resolves better, you know- just sounds better all-around.

I haven’t witnessed this personally in my own home in over a decade, and that was with planar drivers and not conventional cones, which this set has, but regardless of speaker technology I believe it is well understood this is a necessary process and manufacturers agree and suggest this- so not looking for any arguments there please.

But I would think used, or already broken in speakers would not do go through this process, but my ears are telling me they are getting better, so contrary to my assumption perhaps they do need re-breaking in? Anyone else gone through this?

128x128mclinnguy

Speakers that have been sitting for several years might need to flex a little to get the suspension components working freely.  Some caps, depending on the type, might even need a little time with a voltage applied to get the juices flowing again if they've been dormant for a while.  

You may find they sound better after a few days of playing as things loosen up but I wouldn't expect any extended break-in. But you never know just listen to music and see what happens.

I'm thinking after the dust gets blown off the only things left are your ear/brain adjusting.

Regards,

barts

Still I would let them play for a day or two continuously to satisfy your curiosity and let that "static in the attic" go. 

Maybe they got stiff after sitting for so long and like someone said are loosening up a little but I'm not sure that makes sense bcs if that was the case wouldn't that imply the material of drivers are deteriorating? But who knows. However consider the crossover. I'm not sure if crossovers are similar to amps in that when they are left off for a period of time they will return to pre break in state. So that's something to consider.