Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Upgrade to serious

That someone probably got used to the sound of the SVS after a week. There is a good article on speaker "break-in" from Audioholics and I will paste an informative excerpt from that article:

"Required break in time for the common spider-diaphragm-surround is typically on the order of 10s of seconds and is a one-off proposition, not requiring repetition. Once broken in, the driver should measure/perform as do its siblings, within usual unit-to-unit parameter tolerances.

Probably the most common approach used by manufacturers who purposely take the time to break in raw drivers is to apply a sine wave signal, at a frequency equivalent to the unit's free air resonance, delivered at amplitude sufficient to thoroughly stretch out the spider, without damaging the unit, of course

An alternate approach referred to in the literature is the use of broad band noise. However, this approach is inefficient when compared to the sine- wave-at-free-air-resonance approach.

Break in, however, isn't necessarily a discrete step, purpose built in to the driver or loudspeaker system manufacture process. Does that mean loudspeaker systems produced by a manufacturer that doesn't break in the drivers require breaking in by the consumer? No, not necessarily.

Quite often, spider break in occurs when the driver is tested, before and/or after placement in the cabinet for which it's intended. Driver testing by signal stimulus at some point (or points) in the manufacturing process - if done at levels sufficient to break in the spider - generally makes further break in unnecessary. Hence, a finished system will not - in so far as its drivers are concerned - require further break in by a consumer once taken home from the dealer."

There have been many flaming wars in many forums about speaker break-in. Perhaps someone from Axiom can provide an expert opinion on the topic, but my understanding is that most speakers would have been broken-in well into the first musical track you play on them. Some manufacturers probably talk about a break-in period on the order of days to weeks. I wonder if this is less based on science and more on a profit-based motive as some customers will eventually acclimate and accept the sound of their speakers.

John

I fly RC helos and in that world there is a definate break in period on the batteries. For the first few cycles you don't want to work the batteries too hard but in this case it sounds as if you just need to connect the speakers and enjoy them. The sub on the other hand I had figured that maybe the components are a little stiff initially being that they are much larger and need a little exercise before they start to really sound good. I figure I'll just connect it all up and start the concert. :-D

speakers and/or subs don't break in, your brain is what is getting used to the change, at least that is what the manufaturers will tell you.

Speaker (no matter how big or small) characteristics do change over time. Sophisticated instrumentation and careful testing proves this. Does it make any difference to your ears? The answer is absolutely not!

Time, maybe 15-20 years down the road your speakers may lose some resiliance. I highly doubt there is any break in period from when the speakers arrive at your door and you first turn them on before you can start enjoying them to their full benefit.

In fact, my 80's Pioneers sound the same as the day I bought them, but of course I'm sure my brain is broken in.

Ah, I hadn't thought of that. I am trying to do everything through my htpc, so I don't need lots of hdmi inputs. The 663 is at the top of my list right now.

Most people in the industry will tell you its your ears that are breaking in to the new sound, not the speakers breaking in, a few will tell you it is the speakers.

Take your pick.

AS I have said a few times on here, speaker break-in suggests wear and if there is enough audible wear in a few short hours, then I wouldn't want to that speaker after 5 years of use.

I currently own the PB12-NSD, the one Mojo mentioned, and it hits pretty hard and is definitll hard to blend with the M80 for music, for HT it is awesome. I am waiting for the PB13 Ultra and am hoping it will blend a little nicer for music, by all reviews it should. Unfortunately the dealer up here has a 4 week waiting list

Jason,

Who's the dealer?

I just noticed SVS isn't shipping anything as far as I can tell until 15APR so I guess I might have my speakers by then and I'll get to see how they sound without a sub. Should also give me a lot of time to decide which sub to get.

If you want all your speakers to look the same, get an Axiom sub.