how best to break in speakers?

Swap the +/- connections on ONE speaker so they're out of phase. Face the two speakers towards each other about an inch apart and play loud, bass heavy music for as long as you (and your neighbours) can stand.

note the other post above for break-in music. rock works well. turn it up loud, but not so loud that the woofers are moving past their max. excursion (a few mm. should do it). note where the vol. control is. now switch out the connections on one speaker, plus for minus and minus for plus. now your speakers are out of phase, and if you face one speaker to the other and put them close together, you can turn up the vol. to the same level as before without producing so much racket. throw a wool blanket over the two speakers and put the cd on repeat and let it rip for four days. be sure to rewire back to correct polarity before you listen to your newly broken in speakers.

thanks for the tips. sounds simple enough, just a little noisey.

For the first 30 minutes keep checking your amplifier's temperature .... if it gets hot then turn it down a little.

Also make sure the sound is not distorted (indicating amplifier clipping) as this can blow tweeters.

I was told that this is the best way to do it, but I was also told to run a mono signal because both speakers then get an equal workout. Is this correct or does it not matter?

I was also told that this is the best way to do it, but I was also told to run a mono signal because both speakers then get an equal workout. Is this correct or does it not matter?

that mono suggestion seems like it makes sense. but i wonder if my old burned out hippy ears would notice!

Mono and out-of-phase you'll get the least noise spillage, what you hear in the room will be about 25dB down on what the speakers are actually producing.
So be careful, don't fry them!