how long is a typical "break-in period" for speakers? - Page 2

I have had some speakers that seemed to change very little from the time they are new.

On the other hand, some speakers very definitely changed after 100 hours or more of use.

My current speakers did not seem to develop their full low-frequency performance until they had something between 50 and 100 hours on them.

I'm currently breaking in a pair of new subwoofer drivers having some low volume new age music being played through them. A couple of days ago it was 80's rock and the next day it was 50's/60's, Golden Oldies. I'm in the office and the speaker system (subwoofers) is in the living room. Yesterday I ran some Bach through them: "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor for Organ" and let it rip. Then turned the volume back down and called it good as the system went back to background music duty. Today, it's doing background music duty and then the first American football playoff game. Later, I want to run a Sammy Hagar piece, "Mas Tequila," through the system and then turn the volume back down. Yes, the bass has improved. This is not simply some placebo affect. I have excellent bass listening capabilities, my wife has excellent treble abilities. Between us both we have a rocking good time.

Not everything is pseudo or placebo but saying so, my opinion, sure sounds good to those who haven't taken the time to personally explore this issue.

I've never bothered to "break in" any new speakers or subs I've bought - I just start using them. I do remember noticing a change in my PB12-NSD after a few hours of playing, but I've never noticed a change in the Mordaunt-Short Carnival 6 speakers I've had for ~3 years. They sound about the same as the day I brought them home - which is to say, pretty good.

This guy wants to proof that break in does change the sound, but what I found very interesting is the question that someone did.

here is the question :

Great video, I liked the silly grin on your face when you turned it up loud :-).

One question, would there be any difference between two speakers of the same make and type, both being either broken in or new. Just wondering if there could be any element of the differences heard here being down to quirks of how they are made.


here is the reply :

It's a good question. I'm sure there are some differences speaker to speaker, but I think one can assume a reasonable degree of consistency from a manufacturer like Celestion.