 Rank: HIFI Novice Joined: 18/07/2009(UTC)
Posts: 34
Location: montreal
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Is it possible that a loudspeaker can never be totally run-in if it is not played for a certain period of time at very high volume were the suspension and spider can fully stretch?
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Rank: HIFI Novice Joined: 18/10/2011(UTC)
Posts: 64
Location: Norfolk
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I have PMC BB5i's in my main system, which are fairly big beasts. I've had them from new, and they sounded really bass light out of the box, despite having very large bass drivers. It took maybe 50 or 100 hours for them to loosen up and produce the goods in terms of the amount and integration of the bottom end.
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Rank: HIFI Novice Joined: 18/07/2009(UTC)
Posts: 34
Location: montreal
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Is it possible to run in a new loudspeaker by playing it for 500 hours at barely discern-able levels?
If not, does it have to be played loud enough so that it's suspension would travel at Xmax? For how long?
How much power does an amplifier need to have to drive a suspension to it's full excursion?
Is it possible that most loudspeakers will never be run in because they are not played for a long period of time with amplifiers of sufficient power?
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 Rank: Moderator Joined: 18/11/2008(UTC)
Posts: 759
Location: Indiana, USA
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I would think that running your speaker at full volume for extended periods is no more necessary for break in than running your auto at full speed for extended periods. Normal usage would seem to give all the flexing that is necessary for proper break in. Most home speakers are designed for music; which usually has occasional peaks but not full volume constantly. I will except hard rock played at constant high volume; I have an acquaintance who has blown up his Thiel 7.2s several times doing this but I don't regard this as normal usage for most listeners. Cerwin Vega use to test their PA subs by connecting them to wall current so there are speakers out there which can be severely abused and still work. But none of us do things like this, do we? 
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 Rank: HIFI Guru Joined: 24/12/2008(UTC)
Posts: 274
Location: Hereford UK
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If I leave the system off for a few days, I find that the whole lot takes about 1/2 hour at normal levels to come back on song, it is noticeable on the first four tracks with a gradual increase of depth, transient attack and resolution. |
Alex H |
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Rank: HIFI Novice Joined: 18/07/2009(UTC)
Posts: 34
Location: montreal
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Originally Posted by: hifistan  I would think that running your speaker at full volume for extended periods is no more necessary for break in than running your auto at full speed for extended periods. Normal usage would seem to give all the flexing that is necessary for proper break in. Most home speakers are designed for music; which usually has occasional peaks but not full volume constantly. I will except hard rock played at constant high volume; I have an acquaintance who has blown up his Thiel 7.2s several times doing this but I don't regard this as normal usage for most listeners. Cerwin Vega use to test their PA subs by connecting them to wall current so there are speakers out there which can be severely abused and still work. But none of us do things like this, do we? I use to have small Proacs that I got new along with a small Naim integrated. After a few months they seem to be run in but then I tried the small speakers with a large amplifier. I noticed right away more bass volume and lower extension even at normal listening level. So I left the large amp. for a few weeks and when I reverted back to the small integrated, the bass extension was still there although with less volume. This is why I think that new loudspeakers need a large enough amplifier for run in. Of course I may be wrong on this but just think that some small amplifiers will clip well before the speakers could be fully exploited.
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Rank: Moderator Joined: 18/11/2008(UTC)
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Location: Indiana, USA
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I guess it has been so long since I had a small amp [ MF A1 in the 80s] that I haven't noticed this effect. Right now I have 6 amps; 4 are 150 watts a channel and 2 are 350-400. WITH THESE amps it does not seem necessary to drive the speaker that hard; however even at normal level they are probably giving the speaker a good work out and what you say seems reasonable to me.
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Rank: HIFI Guru Joined: 12/11/2008(UTC)
Posts: 427
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Originally Posted by: alexh If I leave the system off for a few days, I find that the whole lot takes about 1/2 hour at normal levels to come back on song, it is noticeable on the first four tracks with a gradual increase of depth, transient attack and resolution. Hi Alex, It might be you 'running in' not the speaker........... Listening to an unnatural sound source, it takes a while for the brain to adjust. mat.
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Rank: HIFI Guru Joined: 24/12/2008(UTC)
Posts: 274
Location: Hereford UK
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Originally Posted by: mat Originally Posted by: alexh If I leave the system off for a few days, I find that the whole lot takes about 1/2 hour at normal levels to come back on song, it is noticeable on the first four tracks with a gradual increase of depth, transient attack and resolution. Hi Alex, It might be you 'running in' not the speaker........... Listening to an unnatural sound source, it takes a while for the brain to adjust. mat. I did wonder that myself, but the change is quite a lot to my ears and I am not the only one to notice it. To be fair I looked up the ATC manuals today and they confirm that it will take about 20 mins for full thermal stability. I now leave all my source equipment on permanently, Much better  |
Alex H |
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 Rank: HIFI Veteran Joined: 02/02/2009(UTC)
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Location: uk
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Quote:I now leave all my source equipment on permanently, Much better Your dealer should have advised this. Different manufacturer's kit would come on song at different speeds. Linn Klimax are quick, Naims are slow. My Naims stay on all the time.
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Rank: Moderator Joined: 15/07/2008(UTC)
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My Krell EVO 402e takes 20 minutes to settle and is so obviously changing in the first 5 .
such matters are critical in comparative reviewing.
We are just reviewing the active Event Opal loudspeaker and that takes 15 minutes before full clarity is established, and that ceiling is outstandingly high .
MartinC
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Rank: HIFI Veteran Joined: 02/02/2009(UTC)
Posts: 902
Location: uk
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Quote: Event Opal loudspeaker and the KRK Rokit 10.3, all the pro monitors I have suggested. All that you have left to look at are the Unity Audio Rocks and SE Munro Eggs. And I am hearing good things about the Focal SM9s. Unfortunately I am only looking at CMS40 for home...... Edited by user 10 June 2012 15:33:59(UTC)
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