Running in - speakers

[Tzutzu]

After some hours of functioning, most of the speakers would sound better. My question is: in this proces of running in, does it matter if the amp has more power?

I'm not talking about burning in...

 

[RobinKidderminster]

nope

 

[andyjm]

After some hours of functioning, most of the speakers would sound better. My question is: in this proces of running in, does it matter if the amp has more power?

I'm not talking about burning in...

Running in a speaker isn't quite like running in a car. In a car there are rubbing surfaces that over time wear each other into a comfortable fit. Speakers do not have rubbing surfaces, but do have compliant suspension. The argument is that after a period of use the suspension becomes more compliant and speaker performance improves. This assumes a couple of things. Firstly that the compliance of the suspension changes with use - old rubberised cone supports did, I am not sure that modern suspension does. Secondly that the speaker designer took this into account when he designed the speaker - so that it was designed with a more flopply suspension in mind, not the suspension out of the box.

Personally, I am rather skeptical that 'running in' does anything these days, but at least there is an argument to hang your hat on, which is more than can be said for the nonsense about 'burning in' an amplifier.

 

[Tzutzu]

So... Santa doesn't exist?

 

[bigfish786]

my Mission M35i's seemed to be permanently "running in", as i feel they slowly improved over the years i had them.

the Focal's i have now have behaved completely different, having in my opinion sounded pretty good straight out of the box, and have changed very little since setting them up.

so, maybe "running in" is dependant on which type of speaker you have.

 

[emperor's new clothes]

Hi Tzutzu,

There are no shortage of theorists, but I personally prefer advise based on practical experience. My Dynaudio's MSP drivers steadily improved over @100 hours and now sound very different from "out of the box" MA's (metal) & B&Ws (kevlar) much shorter running in time. Dyns benefit from a powerfull amp in general.

 

[Tzutzu]

I also think that, depending on some factors like the stuff the drivers are made of, there would be a shorter or longer period of running in. My feeling is that the more powerful the amp (as the driving force) is, the better :roll: running in the speakers.

 

[RobinKidderminster]

nope

 

[RobinKidderminster]

Do u have a 'more powerful amp?.If not then enjoy the music. At worst.look to the manufacturers website

 

[Tzutzu]

I have a more powerful amp.

It's not an actual problem that needs a solution.

Just asking

 

[MrReaper182]

I did not have to run in my PSP Imagine B Bookshelf speakers (the full size one's and not the minis) as they sounded great the minute I hooked them up to my amplifier and powered my system on.

 

[lejockey]

I personally believe that its my hearing that is 'run in' as I become more accustomed to the sound and my brain starts to smooth over the parts which are weaker/different to what I was used to before.

 

[gasolin]

Now running in is the same thing as burn in?

I have these nice, clear and open sounding Adam Audio A5X, but i feel som records,songs are not so easy to hear the singer, so i read about brun in time where adama say Up to one week[/b] for a 'normal' burn-in.Up to four weeks[/b] for a reliable long-term consistency.

What's the difference and how will sound from speakers change doing burn in,running in?

 

[unsleepable]

I personally believe that its my hearing that is 'run in' as I become more accustomed to the sound and my brain starts to smooth over the parts which are weaker/different to what I was used to before.

+1 I also think I "run in" more than the speakers.

But I also have the feeling that my system may sound slightly different after having played music for a while. Like it "warms up" somehow. Does this happen to anyone else?

 

[Frank Harvey]

It only takes a few hours to become accustomed to something you're not used to, but running in can take far longer. I've known some speakers take months to initially run in, and as previously mentioned, one or two that seem to continue to improve and settle over a very long period of time (over a year).

 

[unsleepable]

It only takes a few hours to become accustomed to something you're not used to, but running in can take far longer. I've known some speakers take months to initially run in, and as previously mentioned, one or two that seem to continue to improve and settle over a very long period of time (over a year).

And in your experience, pre-amps/power amps/integrateds also run in?

 

[Tzutzu]

I personally believe that its my hearing that is 'run in' as I become more accustomed to the sound and my brain starts to smooth over the parts which are weaker/different to what I was used to before.

+1 I also think I "run in" more than the speakers.

But I also have the feeling that my system may sound slightly different after having played music for a while. Like it "warms up" somehow. Does this happen to anyone else?

Yes

And the listener "runs in" after a certain period of time. It's like in a relationship. Both parts have to change (for the better...) :cheers:

 

[FennerMachine]

Just a thought:

If a pair of speakers have been sat in cold storage for months they will literally need warming up!

All the materials and internal space (air) will be cold. It could take a few days for everything to acclimatise to the room they are being used in.

This will likely alter the sound to some extent so 'running in' is likely needed with some speakers.

As others have said, some cone materials such as the rubber surrounds/suspension may need loosening up so may change the sound over time.

 

[Happy_Listner]

It only take a handful of watts to play music at moderate volumes. A good level to break in your new speakers.

Don't forget to do the running man while running in your speakers. It helps to pass the time.

 

[unsleepable]

It only take a handful of watts to play music at moderate volumes. A good level to break in your new speakers.

Don't forget to do the running man while running in your speakers. It helps to pass the time.

And what's that? :O

 

[ID.]

I always run in sneakers.

 

[gasolin]

I personally believe that its my hearing that is 'run in' as I become more accustomed to the sound and my brain starts to smooth over the parts which are weaker/different to what I was used to before.

+1 I also think I "run in" more than the speakers.

But I also have the feeling that my system may sound slightly different after having played music for a while. Like it "warms up" somehow. Does this happen to anyone else?

It's the same with a pa system in the begining it can sound a bit hard,metalic, but after 1-2 hours it sounds more soft

 

[Tzutzu]

Avoid sneakers :doh: . The reviews say they don't make any sound at all.