[abd1]

I've got a pair of WOW1's on order nearing completion. I'm wondering what's recommended for a break in period on these speakers and if anyone has any specific methods for breaking in their speakers? Thanks.

[rohrej]

There are many opinions on this and there is a previous thread in the Salk circle that extended to about 5 pages of heated discussion without reaching a consensus on whether break-in even happens, let alone the best way to do it.
There have been measurements taken that show speakers change measurably in the first few minutes/hours of use, but it is not clear how much of this is audible.  I *think* I have heard speakers break-in, but it may just have been me getting used to their sound.

I would say just listen to them alot!  The more you listen to them, the sooner they will be broken in! 

[Austin08]

I would say just listen to them alot!  The more you listen to them, the sooner they will be broken in! 

Agree,  I believe our ears are adjusting to the new sound amd listening habit. (Of course, you have to like it first).

[audiotom]

Congratulations on the WOWs

I started the " break in" thread and yes it spiraled out of control to the point where some were questioning whether any speaker is stable. Not my intent. Warning, probably not worth  getting caught up in the sidebar  Discussion reading it.

This may have been a bigger factor in the past with the old berillium dome tweeters

My experience is that the Salk sound great right out of the box.

Do NOT run your main equipment 24/7 to speed up "break in"
You can do some serious damage to your components

[yyz67]

Do NOT run your main equipment 24/7 to speed up "break in"
You can do some serious damage to your components

Agreed, but only if running round the clock at max (or close to max) levels.

If there is "break in", then maybe running 24/7 even at medium levels/power (70-80 dBC) is risky, but I would hope not.

I would expect that running round the clock at low volumes/power (< 60 dBC) shouldn't hurt anything - whether it "breaks in" a speaker or not.  If a new speaker can't take that, then something is wrong.

[RandyH]

IMO.....Don't worry about break in.  Start enjoying your new speakers from day one.  If they seem to change/improve over time then so be it...enjoy the improvement. Just to be on the safe side I would probably refrain from playing them excessively loud or otherwise over stressing them for a while.

[charmerci]

I would expect that running round the clock at low volumes/power (< 60 dBC) shouldn't hurt anything - whether it "breaks in" a speaker or not.  If a new speaker can't take that, then something is wrong.

Unless an electrical circuit goes "pop" at 2am. Then you're going to be frying your electronics for the next 4 to 6 hours. Not good.

[DMurphy]

Any speaker worth its salt should sound great out of the box.  I have encountered a woofer or two that requires some flexing to smooth out the midbasss.  But we're talking minutes--not hours or days.  In most cases, companies that promote extended break-in periods are just stalling for time, hoping you won't ask for an immediate refund.  And if you're thinking crossover components need extended play to break in, forgeddabouddit. 

[glangford]

Thanks for that clarification Dennis.  I seem to remember one of the magazine reviewers of songtowers saying they asked Jim about breakin and he said 15 minutes. My SCSTs were great right out of the box...

[Paul K.]

Wait, what, you don't think it's necessary to break in speaker cables, or interconnect cables, much less drivers and capacitors, for hundreds of hours?!  
Paul

Any speaker worth its salt should sound great out of the box.  I have encountered a woofer or two that requires some flexing to smooth out the midbasss.  But we're talking minutes--not hours or days.  In most cases, companies that promote extended break-in periods are just stalling for time, hoping you won't ask for an immediate refund.  And if you're thinking crossover components need extended play to break in, forgeddabouddit.

[adydula]

I find that after 106.23 hours most speakers really come into an area all their own...you can write a simple basic program on a PC and build a simple USB to tri-relay circuit to channel the correct frequency spectrum to the speaker jacks....

And if that doesnt work, try soaking the cones in some 50% Armor All and 50% Windex...also know to clear up things...

Just say'in..its a lazy Sun am here in NC....just trying to help!

 

Alex

[yyz67]

Wait, what, you don't think it's necessary to break in speaker cables, or interconnect cables, much less drivers and capacitors, for hundreds of hours?!  
Paul

"When I switched over to my $5k interconnects, at first there wasn't much of a change, maybe a bit more bottom end and top end air--not so much as $5k would suggest--but after 200 hours of break in (I've convinced myself that) these babies have opened up with incredible clean bass extension and luscious high end transparency."

[decal]

As others have suggested, just listen to them.

[audiotom]

When breaking in things like cables and electronics just do your normal listening time or up to 12 hours.  If you must extend your break in hours use old spare equipment.

Cables can take a while to break in - either use an old amp w a tuner or hook the cables off your satelitte to dvr which does run 24/7