first basics- best way to run-in speakers.

[mikeinbrum]

Whenever people talk to me about running in a new pair of speakers I nod knowingly but always in the back of my mind I have wondered whether there is an optimum way to run in speakers. On the 2 occasions i have bought a new pair of speakers, I have adopted the approach of just using the speakers normally and accepting that they will 'bed down' in time. Is there a more efficient approach? Can your method of running in affect the long-term prospects of your speakers? Are there specialised CD's out there that you can play on loop that will decrease run-in time or ensure that every component is utilised equally? What volume should be used during the run-in period??? so many questions!!

Thoughts, advice, and techniques much appreciated

 

[chebby]

I play music on mine. Also I play television and DVD sound through them (and FM radio) so they are on quite a bit. It did not take long for them to 'run in'.

Also, buying speakers that sound good even before the so-called 'running in' period* is helpful.

*I think the 'run-in' is as much to do with the listener getting used to the new sound as it is to do with the conditioning of the components themselves.

 

[Anonymous]

Rock music is good because it covers a good proportion of the frequency range. I prefer to listen to them breaking in as it is not only the speakers, it is your ears getting used to them.

 

[Olli1324]

Simply put as much music as you can through them for the first few days/week.

ÿ

Wharfedale's website has a nice littel FAQ that details what I did.

ÿhttp://www.wharfedale.co.uk/faq.php?show_faq=6ÿ(See the last paragraph).

I put them in a wardrobe and played Brothers In Arms throughout the night, and I couldn't hear it from my bed (6 feet away).ÿ

 

[The_Lhc]

Olli1324:

I put them in a wardrobe and played Brothers In Arms throughout the night, and I couldn't hear it from my bed (6 feet away).

<takes a breath> .... nah, it's just too easy...

 

[batonwielder]

First basics - how to avoid getting into this crazy hobby.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

I usually do the break-in just with music, preferably rock, because it has more bass.

There are however specialized CDs for break-in purposes. I have one, but I hardly use it.

You can also record a 30Hz or so sine wave into a CD and play it for a few hours, at moderate volume. Although I have heard that if you do it for too long or at very high volume you may damage the crossover. I don't know it this is true, though.

Anyway, in my experience, most speakers are completely broke-in after a few days (20-50 hours). The only speakers that I had which took almost a month to break-in were the JM Lab Cobalt.

 

[Anonymous]

mikeinbrum:
Whenever people talk to me about running in a new pair of speakers I nod knowingly but always in the back of my mind I have wondered whether there is an optimum way to run in speakers. On the 2 occasions i have bought a new pair of speakers, I have adopted the approach of just using the speakers normally and accepting that they will 'bed down' in time. Is there a more efficient approach? Can your method of running in affect the long-term prospects of your speakers? Are there specialised CD's out there that you can play on loop that will decrease run-in time or ensure that every component is utilised equally? What volume should be used during the run-in period??? so many questions!!

Thoughts, advice, and techniques much appreciated

Hey Mike. Can't think of a better way to run in your speakers other than enjoying listening to the music you like through them - and listening to them get better and better. Time it takes will vary a/c to speaker. Personally I think listening to them improve is one of the many charms of buying new speakers anyway, otherwise you may as well buy 2nd hand.

 

[Anonymous]

Just run it through your tuner, if you have one. Too much wear and tear on a CD Player, I feel.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

ValianTX:Just run it through your tuner, if you have one. Too much wear and tear on a CD Player, I feel.

I agree and I also agree with the people who just say listen to your music and it will get better and better. I connected mine to my Sky box and had the radio running all day I was at work and throughout the night when we were asleep. Volume is not important so you can have it as low as you want. I wouldn't worry too much - I ran mine for a week solid and then got on with listening to music.