AudioBanter.com - View Single Post - Loudspeaker break-in

wrote in message ...
"Resources for researching speaker break-in, if they do exist, should
probably be redirected for more worth while pursuits."

This is reasonable, except we don't want such a laid back view to obscure
the use such claims are put to in marketing/publishing for commercial
intrest. The current benchmark is that breakin is at best a matter of a
very short time and of little consequence for most of the audio gear
purchased,ie. excludes wire, amps, signal sources, etc. as such. We don't
want this claim to be added to the stew of other unsupported claims so as
to suggest the whole should ever be a concern in making purchases and
enjoying the music. We want to demystify the whole scene that has grown
up to the detriment of audio. and to the support of paranormal belief
systems.

Would I like to know to an absolute certainty whether speaker break-in
is myth or truth or whether it applies to some speaker designs and not
others? Absolutely! I'm only saying that, for me personally, there are
higher audio priorities. I'm also saying that I have not seen any
compelling arguments that there are a whole lot of victims due to
manufacturers, dealers, reviewers, and other consumers all saying that
some speakers need to be broken in. I have only seen vague
illustrations as to how consumers may be victimized about break in
claims. Besides, speaker break in may be a true phenomenon. A lot of
things that move or flex "break in". The key is whether or not it is
audible. And if it is audible can it be measured. I have seen
seemingly credible, but inclusive (too me) presentations in this group
and elsewhere on both sides. Of course, it is highly unlikely that I
have seen even most of the presentations on this subject.

But more important than whether there is proof one way or the other, I
see this break in issue as built in protection for consumers who can
legitimately demand to hold off their final purchase decisions on
loudspeakers until they have an opportunity to try them out at home.
This is especially true since both manufacturers and dealers both
often subscribe to the need for break in. I would certainly never buy
a speaker (or a line stage) without a home trial. Most (all) dealers I
know completely understand that. The consumer may find that the
speakers do sound lousy at home, but may be due to room and associated
equipment issues or other issues even those related to break in. It
doesn't matter as long as we can take the opportunity to get a home
trial.

Besides, I don't see many (or any that I know, even Joe Six Pack)
consumers buying speakers that they are from the onset sonically
displeased with in the dealers show room. The dealers' claim is
usually "if you think you like these speakers now just wait until you
break them in a little". I mean if a consumer buys a speaker that they
don't particularly like or just likes a little in the dealers show
room banking on that they will love the speaker after break in, can
you really protect that person with definitive data on break in
phenomena?

I say let's use the manufacturers and dealers claims that speakers
require break in to our advantage.