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What is "break in" and what difference does it make? In amps? Preamps? Speakers? More?
Hi folks,
Newbie question. I read often about a break-in period for speakers, amps. Can someone explain what this means, technically and to the listener's ears?
Is there a difference in what one hears when it comes to speaker break-in vs. component break-in?
Are there levels (quality) where break-in makes no difference?
Thanks.
Newbie question. I read often about a break-in period for speakers, amps. Can someone explain what this means, technically and to the listener's ears?
Is there a difference in what one hears when it comes to speaker break-in vs. component break-in?
Are there levels (quality) where break-in makes no difference?
Thanks.
Showing 8 responses by geoffkait
Pop quiz! 🤗 If electrons are not “things” how come they have mass? And how come they have charge? Things are sometimes said to be mostly empty space because of the relatively large distances between atoms, and the relatively large distances between the nucleus of the atom and the surrounding electrons. Everything is relative. 😛 If mass and space disappeared there would be no time. 😛 |
It should be mentioned that cables and electronics never completely break in as much as we would like to think so. The reason I say that is even when heroic means such as the expensive Cable Cooker are employed to break in cables the process should be repeated every year or whatever as the cables tend to revert back 🔙 to their former state over time. The music signal itself is not sufficient to do the job completely or to maintain that level of performance. By deduction, the lower signal cables and wires in the components behave similarly, and are probably even more resistant to complete and thorough break in. |
delkal I am pretty sure everyone agrees speakers need some kind of break in. They are mechanical devices and it takes a while for the cone / surround to become pliable. Next on my list is anything with capacitors. The new dielectric undergoes some changes with use. This phenomenon has been known for over 100 years and is not snake oil. This break in can easily be shown scientifically and some capacitor data sheets even have recommended break in procedures. I don’t have a firm opinion on transistors or IC’s. So lets say maybe (or it won’t hurt). But when it comes to breaking in a wires, interconnects or speaker cables I don’t buy it. Some people even claim if you unplug, move or even touch a wire it will take some time for it to settle back in. Besides, speakers are more than simply mechanical devices, you know, what with the internal wiring and electronic crossovers, including capacitors. Not to mention not everyone agrees speakers require break in. >>>>You just said it yourself. The dielectric material needs to break in. That itself explains why interconnects, speaker cables, power cords, HDMI cables, digital cables, etc. require break in. Hel-loo! |