Tech Stuff Tuesday - Subwoofer break in myth busted

There are myths about subwoofer break in, and even some manufacturers are falling for it.

[@EXOcontralto]

Great video!!! As you know I'm currently testing this commonly thrown around myth as well. Never personally "broken in" a subwoofer with means of procedure before, but hopefully both our findings will help shed more light on this whole "breaking in" topic. And thanks to this weekends road trip, I'm on 6hrs of subwoofer playtime so far. Going for an even 10 to cover my bases before testing max spl. Of course I'll be prepared for when people inevitability complain about some variable being off, or not long enough, but I wanted to try my best to put some stuff to rest like you did here, thanks for posting! 👍

[@JaMarvelousjmar]

Will you do a spl comparison video of a broken in sub vs. 1 straight out the box

[@phonammm]

EXOcontralto hi EXO! Could u do a review over Cerwin Vega XL-12S and see what you think of them? Please!!

[@MrHellboy40160]

Hay EXO I fallow all your videos and hit that favorite button the subscribe one and I seen all your videos but what you need to to is a video of a broken in a free air sub compare to a ported box break in sub also you should do a video on the Power acoustic I know their name probably hurts your heart but they made the raiser 2500 Watt and it’s true to what it says from Walmart it’s a miracle they made something good

[@joshuakiernan6572]

@@MrHellboy40160 please don't tell him he has to do anything. I'm not trying to be overdramatic and you may have not had any Ill intent. There is much better ways of asking. Again not being a dick but please phrase as a question and not a demand. Just common curiticy.

[@Oystein87]

In reality the break period is actually about the sound getting better and not the risk of blowing up the speaker..

[@akuma4u]

Breaking in = a clever way to let your 30 day return or exchange period expire.

[@brettaylor2661]

Great video, just don't apply this information to shoes. Shoes do need to break in or you can get blisters on your feet.

[@Windhubchannel]

This is a great comment and everybody passed on it. 7/10 would read again

[@carpetcleaningprofessor]

Man I have been saying this for years and No One Believes Me

[@BPoweredLove]

That's because you lie about everything else in your life.

[@Chrispy0]

@@BPoweredLove sounds like someone has daddy issues

[@kingfancy7317]

Bs cuz I blew my subs 1 day after getting the install so I suggest you go easy on them for at least the first week

[@carpetcleaningprofessor]

@@kingfancy7317 lol how did you blow a sub without clipping lol

[@zacharyharrod2293]

King fancy But you can still blow it if it has to much power going to it that’s what I’m guessing happened

[@vargasmongogames1844]

happy to see your videos bro really informative indeed

[@Renegade5388]

2 years later and honestly this makes all sense just subbed thank you

[@bass-n-truth-inthestix9083]

I know this much... I didn't really "break in" my HCCA 152 which we all know has a extremely stiff spider. However!.. after playing it for over a year it started getting much louder. So it did break in finally. Output wise at least. I just wired it up and started bumping. Orion customer service told me I was going to damage it. I do 150's with a single 15.... it's so broken😂

[@ReVoLTedShadow.]

BaSsAholiC my orion hcca 152 blew put after a month and i was running an orion XTR 25001D and they told me its because i didnt break it in 😞

[@bass-n-truth-inthestix9083]

@@ReVoLTedShadow. yeah the Orion has a extremely stiff spider so it's definitely one of the subs that could at least use a gradual power raising process when you 1st start using it. Like don't go right to town hammering it. But really after playing it moderately for a few hours and mot going full tilt right from the start is good practice in general. Break in or not it's just better safe than sorry. I definitely didn't "break in" my HCCA to the standards Orion says you need to. But there was a sort of break in period. It's a year later and it's still getting louder. The xtr2500.1dz is crazy underrated so you could blow that sub with that amp. Especially if youre clipping. Mostly if you're clipping.

[@Str8GasGenetics]

@@ReVoLTedShadow. were you clipping?

[@ReVoLTedShadow.]

Deputy93111 not that i know of , :0

[@TheKenzaya]

Brilliantly simple and to the point. Just hooked up a sub i reconed last week....going let her play and enjoy. 👍👍👍

[@winfieldjenkins1328]

I am glad that I met you at mini truck nationals a couple years back

[@JaMarvelousjmar]

Setting the filters on the amp is key... especially with ported enclosures...care to elaborate

[@EMFAudio]

Video on proper amp settings, got it!

[@esk8er900]

I firmly believe the physics and engineering principles behind “breakin period” being good for gradual out gassing but otherwise unnecessary. Anecdotally I also believe anything that moves or stretches regardless it’s a car, a shoe or a subwoofer can benefit from a casual breaking in period. Car makers insist on new car breakin periods, shoes are more comfortable after some wearing in, and in my experience letting new subs settle into place before going all out never hurt. Metals have a certain degree of spring but can shear, crack or fail after sudden or prolonged stress especially in thin or ribbon cables. Basically I would suggest 25-75% power for maybe a week and then have fun- but with all the vibration and force on precise moving parts it just makes sense to me. Key part is making sure your wiring /install practices and settings are legit proper - it’s easy to damage things by overdistortion or underpowering. Good connections mean way less dimming issues. But even that can be solved with an xstatic batcap they’re amazing.

[@elsey1976]

PLEASE someone send this video to Soundqubed! 48hrs of break in?? Come on!!

[@TheKenzaya]

Funny...i just hooked up my hdc3.10 i reconed and was looking for break-in info and found this video. Makes perfect sense to me. Thank you EMF audio for a simple and easy explanation of how subs work and the break/broken in process.

[@Oystein87]

Break in has more to do with the sound changing than blowing up a speaker.. There is alot of confusion about this

[@gavinmcclure8047]

Mine hdc3's played better after I followed there instructions tbh

[@thebassgeneratorinc229]

ed elsey Weather you believe in it or not, the terminology is totally wrong, it would be better said by resetting the cools. due to normal or extreme play, the coil and former heats up, when this happens, the parameter changes, spider and surround fatigues takes quite some time to occur but the coils starts the minute one starts to play it. even in this video, he mentioned this happening as well as how round and flat coils are effected by extreme heat passing through tgem. Metals are effected as well as the adhesives used but by cycling the subs for a period of time it preset the coils through that process before the customer even receives their sub. this process also weeds out subs with defects that are not detected in a conventional way such as spider and former seperations that may get by in a normal inspection.

[@thebassgeneratorinc229]

ed elsey these are just my opinion base on my experiences. I do agrees that you can play a sub at its recommended power levels at full tilt in your system even if its new but I would lay attention to what my subs are doing and smell like.

[@Fishy_FR]

After buying my first pair of brand new subwoofers I was afraid i'd damage them. Thanks to your video, I'm not concerned whatsoever. Keep up the incredibly informative videos!

[@Oystein87]

The sound will get better after break in. That's the reality. Power handeling has never been the issue for speaker break in. That's a myth like he says in the video. Exept maybe some tweeters could handle slightly more after a good break in.

[@appealingpit]

I’d always play regular volume then turn up full. Not enough to blow speakers. Enough to break them in nicely.

[@lazerlinec1770]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS VIDEO SO MUCH THANK YOU!!!

[@defectahz6399]

Hey guys, i just bought a DD 712f (1500 rms) and powering with T1500bdcp. I tuned amp to clipping at volume 30. But my dumbass installed the sub (in spec box) and immediately turned it to volume 32 with a bass heavy song for about 5 seconds. Coil started smelling (but not really bad like a blown sub, just enough for me to notice it’s getting hot), so I turn the volume down slowly and let it cool. So basically I over powered sub (because Rockfords are underrated) with dirty clipped power. But I’ve been playing it below volume 30 for a few days now and it seems perfectly fine. Should I worry that i lessened the subwoofers life? Or was it the glue on coil “breaking in”? Thanks you guys

[@jasonneal]

Back in 2001 I was sponsored by Treo I was in the super street 9 plus class and they had told me to install the subs and play them at 30Hz at 3/4 volume for 2 minutes let it cool down for 10 minutes , then do it again and that was it. Speaker was ready for full burps at 8k watts.

[@EMFAudio]

Yup, that was to loosen up the spiders because they were built too stiff to begin with. After break-in they were appropriate for what you needed. That's how I build SPL subs.

[@2001tclmike]

I feel like over all the messege here is it's good to push your woofer but not good to abuse and overpower your woofer

[@DrivewithTony]

That might explain the smell from my digital design sub. Put it in the car with a ground zero amp. And adjusted the best i could. Turned up the volume and after 30-40 seconds it started to smell. Turned it down and havent turned the sound up again 😂 btw i am from norway so sorry if my English sucks😂

[@RippinRaz]

Tony it’s funny you say that. Your English is better than most people in KZbin’s comments.

[@-Octenol-]

I can personally say the every advice in this video is the truth and thus i am thankful for finding this video I just received my new sub and followed every tip here and lemme tell you, it keeps on giving me surprises and joy I never thought of the voice coil bubbles but after examining my sub’s vc I ACTUALLY SAW THE BUBBLES just shows the level of truth in this video

[@jaybomb5022]

Lmao when you don't have crap subwoofers, you 100% need to break in and massage the spider😂😂😂

[@dragan3290]

I was told when buying my subwoofers: just throw it in the enclosure and she will handle 150 watts RMS all day long. No talk of breaking in.this was in the 90s to ealy 2000s. And the seller was an engineer! Interesting video! Subbed and liked. Cheers from Australia 🙂👍👍👍

[@johnhodgson5313]

Great work. I have seen the Qts and Fs change from out of the box to used for a while. I did not know about the outgassing.

[@miatagod80]

Outgassing? WTF you put it in an oven?

[@Supercharged1976]

Glad to see you putting out useful knowledge for people. I feel like we need to help inform the basshead masses on all things audio. Break-in, Impedance rise (how it affects every day systems vs. competition systems) T/S parameters and what they mean and how to use them to get the info you want about your sub.

[@shawnbartee1779]

Untouchablesounds is a prime example of this vid. Do not buy them. U will get blamed. Even though this vid explains. Its all mr untouchablesounds fault for qc quality and poor assembly.

[@christopherparis6841]

Fs changes a c hair not noticable by ear least not my ear. Personally I apply even pressure by hand damn near hard as I can if we're talking double spider or better n at 4 spidies almost half body weight around 100 lbs till I hear spider fibers stretch n I'll hold that pressure till it's no longer stretching fibers of the spider.

[@frankierutherford1888]

Thank you breaking in a speaker just sounds ridiculous

[@mustang6035]

I wanna see a video on box tuning and the explanation of the different orders of box builds.

[@EMFAudio]

That would be a good one, thanks for the suggestion.

[@georgesrisomsak9650]

I absolutely agree with what was said here. I wish more would think this way when it comes to this subject.

[@christopherparis6841]

Can you explain spider color or material diffs?

[@Sirabe11]

I have a JBL 1000 watts rms so what’s the setting for it?

[@brentbalkaran7028]

So softening the spider does not make a difference?

[@MW2gamer237]

Amazing video!!! Now what I am really curious about is when it comes to putting new woofers in to expand your system. In my case: I have a no wall with 4 15s, but I bought a van to build a 9 15 6th order. What are the dangers or precautions I should take when it comes to the woofers? Do I need 9 equal (new) woofers or can I buy 5 new ones and use them all in one system?

[@justinfoster6135]

i wonder the same thing

[@mondo82111]

Well spoken!! that’s why I buy your products

[@kriptic7474]

Hey man, i like the video and find it very informative. Just bought a single Skar 15, as its my first sub of any kind. Although i watched the video im still nervous to send it on the sub. I dont have much money to ruin my sub im only 16 lol. guess i should just play it like a would if it was "broken in"? Thanks.

[@EMFAudio]

When it fails, it won't be because you just played it full tilt when new.

[@kriptic7474]

@@EMFAudio Okay, thanks man!

[@airuzair2424]

@@kriptic7474 how did it turn out

[@Guiltless765]

Hey SoundQubed 😲😲

[@rigormortis2814]

Thank you for this.

[@Trucker-Belly]

My subs always make smells!

[@Lucid213]

This channel kicks ass

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

Makes perfect sense. Bands don't "break in" their monitors and PA systems. No one "breaks in" their new home sound system.

[@mikep3322]

Great video. My 12s were slapping as soon as I put them in the box

[@brandonc5965]

Didnt think bout that

[@drupoo2]

Awesome vid! Stuff I always wondered about. Keep them coming!

[@randomtube8226]

In my opinion I think it comes down to design and quality of materials being used. Its kinda hard to answer the myth about speaker break In due to the amount of different speakers out there. I have noticed that my system did start to sound better slowly over time the more I listened to it. May I also mention that clipping can be bad for any speaker. So its important that your amp and input signal are not clipping while you are attempting to break in your speakers. Cleaner the better. That means that proper tuning of your system is also important.

[@EMFAudio]

I specifically mentioned quality for a reason, poor quality subs break. Clipping is bad all the time, not just in break in. Yes, your system did start to sound better over time, because it was breaking in. It's not that speaker don't break in, it's that there isn't some magical procedure or duration. Breaking them in over 10 minutes or 10 years gets the same result.

[@stevofla239]

A speaker "breaking in" is completely different from a speaker requiring break in period

[@gioarce1944]

Great vid! Thanks

[@JeanKatana]

Wow, I didnt think it would be that significant!

[@charlesuh60m]

I just bought an American bass xr 10d4 which is rated for 1000 rms. I plan on running 1000 rms out the gate and I listen to metal. Will this sub be okay? 1.8 cu ft box tuned to 40hz.

[@EMFAudio]

Good luck.

[@grady.stu.8300]

I always go full tilt right off the rip. Never believed in breaking in

[@failcop]

Cant wait for tomorrow's episode

[@gregl5677]

I believe if it can't play rated out of the box, then it isnt my fault. The company gave a false rating. A coil fails from heat/overpowering, bottoming out and clipping. If the suspension loosens up that is more likely to happen especially with pushing it harder when "broken in". if anything i want the sub to stay stiffer for longer. Just my logic of thinking. My custom 12 i now own that was built i was given 1500w rms, That was according to the builder who built it for a friend 8 years ago, he had 1500w rms on it the day after it was built, now i run it around 1600 clamped with impedance rise. You can still barely push it with your hand. It hasnt dropped any db in his car or my truck. But the quality is there so it can handle it. I wouldnt trust a sub that says break in. For the exact reason for what you said poor build quality.

[@mechitotx975]

I went to best buy today and bought a new pioneer subwoofer 1200 watt and it smells like burning since I got it but I bumped that 21 savage and it broke look at it and touch it is hot to the touch good thing I got warrant lmao

[@EMFAudio]

Pioneer typically rates in peak, not RMS, and their peak is usually 3-4x RMS. Consider that with your amp. You may also be clipping the balls off of it.

[@austinbrown6390]

A sub does not need to be broken in but it will 100% be louder after it’s all loosened up and a lot louder I’ve gotten a brand new sundown sub and it let me down at first rlly bad but after a day or two it was 4-5x better

[@CrashPCcz]

The 1kHz tone was really annoying. Why 7spiders to just spend all the motor force on these?

[@EMFAudio]

Um... what?

[@10krms8]

Thanks man very good info

[@dimogreen4741]

HELP! i need an experienced persons aid because I'm dumb as F about car audio, can't figure this out... Im sure i have blown one of my twelve inch subs, but it passes all of the so called "blown-sub-tests" to check if its actually blown out. I think its technically bottoming-out but again I'M NEW TO THIS. So...The fuk'd up subwoofer does produce bass, & at a comparable level to the other sub in my SUV.. The problem is that unlike a blown sub that distorts bass (I've blown subs before & know how they sound) blown-subs make that muffled rattle where bass should be heard . Instead my failing subwoofer makes low & mid level bass just fine until the bass really hits; then it makes a terrible "Thwack!" Slapping sound. The slap doesnt reverberate or rattle. Just one sharp crack every time the beat booms. Some problems with subs are fixable & other's spell the end for the speaker; but NONE of the youtube vids or car-audio websites i have checked address this... & believe me I've searched The sub glides smoothly up & down within range when pressure is applied. No scratching, clicking or popping sounds come from the sub when I gently push it up & down... Sorry for the lengthy question but I'm trying to provide needed info to solve the problem. Do you know whats wrong? I dont know the impedance or ohms, just that its a 4-ch. 1,200 watt amp pushing two 12" subs. I traded a Hdtv for the system, then simply paid a shop to install it. Yes im a dummy; please help me solve this. Thanks

[@EMFAudio]

For starters, if it's blown, it doesn't play at all or correctly. Now, what you're describing does sound like it's bottoming out if it's super loud (though more times than not, it will only do that a few times before it stops playing) but it could also be the dustcap being loose. So I ask you this: does one sub take more effort to push in than the other if they're both outside the enclosure? If the one that makes the noise is easier to push/pull on, you probably have a spider loose at the former. If everything seems equal then we'll address other things. It's powered by a 4 channel, which means each sub can have separate settings that may not match. Are your gain, crossover, subsonic, bass boost etc. all set the same on both subs? If you have bass boost up on 1 sub and not the other, that would cause that issue for sure. I have heard amps that clip with a cracking sound, if the gain is much higher than the other sub that could be the case too.

[@2002ZRX1200R]

Can't say I've ever seen a spider crack/tear from reaching Xsus before the suspension has softened, nah... :P

[@paulcampbell8696]

People can say whatever they want regarding their opinion of driver break-in. I have owned a custom home theater business since 2001. IF ONLY driver break in was a myth, and IF ONLY I just needed to install the system and let them break themselves in over time, it would save me SO much trouble. If I don't thoroughly break in the mid and low frequency drivers in my shop before I install them in the system, I HAVE to come back out and re-tune the system in a few months because the frequency response of those drivers, and therefore their respective crossover points, has changed so much that the system sounds messy and the bass sounds boomy and exaggerated. Anyone who doesn't take driver break-in seriously isn't truly effected by it in real-world circumstances enough to know the true importance of it. Sure, to SOME people who don't have much of a distinguishing ear, the gradual change in the sound of their system will not bother them. But that isn't the same for everybody...

[@EMFAudio]

Opinions are ones outlook on a subject, facts are proven details that can't be argued. This video is facts, not opinions. I believe I mentioned it will sound different after break in which is why you might have to retune things afterwards. It does not change the fact that following some procedure will not make it last longer or sound better. Realistically, you could have to retune it again in a year or two because the suspension continued to change characteristics.

[@zumazoomzoom7632]

The response will change as the spider gets softer but theres not really a requirement to break them in.

[@rondalejohnson2065]

Thanks!!!!!

[@TrunkThunderLithium]

You tell ppl shit so they can come.spend money with you to recone their ztuff 😂 how tf u gonna say you dont have to break it in? Spiders tear because of not being broken in with care especially these high end spl subwoofers like the zv5-6 nightshade series

[@MotoAtheist]

BS! Any sub should handle it's RMS power straight out of the box, no break in required. Now, if you're trying to shove 2x, 3x the power thru them, yeah, might want to ease in to that. The BS break in stuff comes from SPL fart smellers! They want to loosen up their subs ASAP to find the final specs so they can build their box to those final specs. For regular music people, break in is simply BS and not needed.

[@raymondrespress50]

Thanks for the information on subwoofer break in👍😊

[@r3drum_ram837]

Very informative not everybody has a test bench to be breaking inn subwoofers anyway. Besides if you don't properly break in a sub will it void warranty lol.

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

What's better than a new speaker driver? A used speaker driver.

[@degreesdegrees-jr4eg]

Hi can someone help me. ? I need a amp that can "play" from 0.6 - 5 hz I want to play say 0.6 hz with 500 - 1000 w on a subwoofer. (Just for the fun of it.) What amp can do that. How to make that amp? Thanks

[@joshm5514]

I'm not sure if you're joking or not because you can't play 0 hz. Not sure why you would specifically want to play 0.6 hz, vs say 1 hz. They are virtually the same thing. So, on to the next point. It's not the amp that plays the sound. The subwoofer is what does. The amp just gives the power to the subwoofer to reproduce that frequency. You need subwoofer that is designed to be able to reproduce those low frequencies. That's determined by the size of the subwoofers enclosure, it's tuning, the size of the woofer itself, and I'm sure some other variables. The amp simply sends the power to the subwoofer in order to produce sound. I'm not expert but I don't think you're going to be able to build a subwoofer to play 1 hz with any sort of volume whatsover. You could get down to 10 with a DIY sub most likely, but that takes a lot of know how. If you want a sub that plays to 10 you're going to have to spend thousands of dollars.

[@degreesdegrees-jr4eg]

@@joshm5514 im sorry but you are a ignorant. Go on youtube type in subwoofer 1 hz. Or 3 hz. And you will find plenty vids. Evin a 1" dome tweeter can play 1 hz. Now humans only here from 20 hz and up. Im however not interessted in sound. Only in seeing my woofer moving. Now the amp is the most importent faktor to my q. You dont know -So you dont speak.

[@bobdodge3171]

@@degreesdegrees-jr4eg only thing i could suggest try to find an amp with no subsonic filter or on that is defeatable. Also i would say class A/B would be your best bet to get low.

[@chancepantswindham7745]

Hey is,there a difference between the preorder SWAG coaxials and the immediate shipping? Also, whoever says a speaker is like an engine needs to be slapped,by both an engine and a speaker.

[@EMFAudio]

Nothing different except when you receive it.

[@95Sn95]

This weekend I just noticed i had a spider to former glue joint fail on a week old 15" NVX VS sub. There is no other sign of damage and it never got hot, im hoping NVX doesnt try to say I is definitely my fault like no break in (even tho it's not mentioned in the manual) or overpowered...I did stretch it's legs but don't feel I abused it and I don't have an internal watt meter but I am fairly knowledgeable, being budget sub should I have let the spider get some stretch for a bit before bumping it or is this very likely just a sign of piss poor glue job on a mass produced import sub or could this be legitimately blamed on me? I've always been under the impression NVX builds fairly quality products for there price point. I just want to be prepared when I talk to them I don't want to be bullied by them to avoid covering it.. Any input would be appreciated...

[@EMFAudio]

I can't speak for them but I only see 1 reason it could get put back on you and that's if the enclosure is wrong.

[@Quetzalcoatl0]

The questions is why should the customer has to break in the subwoofer ? Also, are the T/S parameters measured before break in or after? Because it will give you a wrong box design in software. I'm planning on doing some Dayton um18s for home cinema. I have a single pb-1000 and the first few movies and songs, it sounded like it was not even turned on. After a few days it just came to life.

[@EMFAudio]

The end user is breaking it in by using it, they don't have to do it prior to installation. The parameters you get are up to the manufacturer. The specs we provide are after a reasonable amount of break in. Are they going to read the same in 3 years? No. Do some manufacturers give specs based on zero play time? Yes. What you experienced is the subwoofer breaking in.

[@1-Six-dee]

We all know who is the most knowledgeable guy on yt on audio besides maybe Mark but I think u got him, enjoy your videos a whole lot, I wish we could get together have an idea for a car audio part thay would be a great seller

[@asusgoncalves]

Wow what a nice content! Your vids are like going to college 😆👏🏻👊🏻 thx

[@gregkramer5588]

I am still not sure if the box was too big. You did not say if it is a ported box or not. If it was they owner may have been driving it hard below the port tuning frequency in a properly designed box. If the box was sealed and the system Q was over .71 he should have been ok and it was just operator error!

[@EMFAudio]

The box was nearly 6 cu. ft for a 12. If it was sealed that would have been insanely huge, but it was ported, which is still nearly 3 times the size it should be. There are ZERO instances where a 12 should be in 6 cu. ft.

[@travisgulley2652]

The way to tell if your car subwoofers are broken in is by pushing the cone in with your fingers if you can't push the cone in then it's not broken in yet and is still stiff

[@EMFAudio]

That's not accurate. Break in is relative to it's state when freshly built. I've built subs so stiff you can't move them fresh and barely move them broken in. I've also built subs very soft so fresh they would move very easily and broken in easier yet.

[@PeterFeltersnatch852]

What app did you use our what test time generator did you use for the around 2-3 min mark? TY in advance

[@EMFAudio]

It's the 20 year old CD from Bass Mekanik V5.0. Left and right channels are used at the same time, one channel is a half frequency, and the sound you get is what happens when you use both channels. If you use one or the other it's a solid tone.

[@cryptonitor9855]

damn beeping

[@tarquineous]

What beeping ? Are you smoking again ?

[@jomamawholuke]

Just subbed as well

[@Trashencash]

Nice

[@slimsaiyan4215]

I have an alpine type s 12 inch that I was running on an amp that was given to me it was only 200rms at 2ohm I just bought a jl 500rms at 2ohm I set the gain accordingly and I have a slight smell from the sub. So your saying this is normal? Soon as I smelled it I backed my gain down a little bit because I was worried I was gonna blow my sub.

[@EMFAudio]

The gain shouldn't change based on what sub is connected, a proper adjustment is to the signal input voltage. No, a smell is not normal unless it's brand new.

[@slimsaiyan4215]

@@EMFAudio it was a brand new sub but it was 300 watts under powered until last night and I ran it on the 200 watt amp for about 2 weeks. I think what I shp8ld do is just find someone with a dd-1 or a oscilloscope to properly set the gain (sensitivity level) I think I maybe had it up a little to high.

[@Corruptedd]

oh wow thank you fascinating

[@THESUBZILLA]

I think it would be awesome if you make a video explaining all of the specs, like qts bl etc. I know just a couple but the rest are just numbers to me, I want to learn what they mean for sure! thanks!

[@EMFAudio]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/foPbaXSbi7Vkbq8

[@litsaudio]

suggest a gopro camera for such videos

[@zrafferty]

I can state breaking in a sub is actually a true thing. Use a already broken in sub with a new sub and once the new one hits the breaking period you will hear loud punch then smoke. Happened to me 3 times now. It alters the specs in the end

[@EMFAudio]

Pay attention to the video. It doesn't say breaking in doesn't happen, it says any type of procedure is bogus. It happens by playing it, by barely playing you're actually NOT breaking it in at all. If you play it full volume right out of the box you end up with the same break in result as if you did it slowly over time.

[@jonathanpinders.r.5627]

Just sub to your channel love the content 1/24/19

[@leosvids1297]

Not true I broke a spider before With a new sub The spider was so stiff that It ripped the spider after playing at full volume

[@EMFAudio]

You mean like where I mentioned that can happen with poorly built speakers? Or did you not actually watch the video?

[@leosvids1297]

@@EMFAudio It was a Sundown Audio X-10 V.2 D2 10"

[@Oystein87]

Yes.. But break in is more about the sound getting better as it is broken in than actually blowing up the speaker.. Best thing is to start at lower volume and increase bit by bit. But the thing with break in is that the sound changes after some hours of use. Some more than others. My home speakers (and car speakers but they had less difference) sounded way better after 100hours than they did out of the box.

[@EMFAudio]

The sound changes from breaking it in, but starting at a lower volume is literally doing nothing for breaking it in. It breaks in from being pushed. You can get better results of break in from 30 minutes of full throw than you do 100 hrs of gradual volume increase.

[@Oystein87]

@@EMFAudio You need a bit volume to move things and break in the moving parts, but I always get better sound after many hours of moderate and high volume than just 30min of heavy use. Breaking in the movement and breaking in the speakers sound is not quite the same. I agree with you for the power side of things. But after a couple of decades of experience and testing I know to get the true sound quality the speaker can do it needs alot more than 30min heavy use to reach it's best. Not so much difference for subs as it is for a midrange and tweeter but still. Maybe not the best explenation but english is not my native language so..😂 Not trying to argue with you or anything. I like your videos and you know your stuff very well. But this is my experience.

[@MOBAudioUSA]

Thank you for a great video.

[@THESUBZILLA]

I learned so much from this video thank you!!

[@vusstoppyv4612]

To get 12kw out of am amplifier if your running 14.8v you'll need 810+ amps. It's funny to me when people buy a so called 5kw power amp and 5kw sub and install it into a car/truck with standard electrical system 12v and 120-275amp alternators. Just guessing on specs.

[@EMFAudio]

Actually, 810 amps would be assuming 100% efficiency, which amps are not. They require even more than that. You are correct in that people buy equipment they can't support and usually don't even use to their full potential. More often than note the same people that complain about blowing up amps never have the electrical to support the amps.

[@vusstoppyv4612]

@@EMFAudio yes your absolutely right if its 100% efficiency. So it would be even more cause most amps are around 70-85% efficiency est and that's just for the power amp draw. You need to run the other electrical systems in the car/truck. I know you know your stuff. I'm just starting to learn about car audio in the electrical side of things. I've been doing home audio since I was 9 and 33 now and I just like learning audio workings. Thank you for the reply and correcting me as well I do appreciate it really

[@ibrahimeltony4865]

Saen.. with the same principal. Does this applied to the the small 6.5 door speakers.? I also wish that you do a video about them.

[@EMFAudio]

Yes, they all work the same way.

[@NinexXo9]

Great video, glad I found this Tech Stuff series.

[@VidiSLTU]

How much need time let to work a new subwoofer at not maximum volume ??

[@EMFAudio]

Zero, just play it.

[@VidiSLTU]

How about Gain on Amplifier ? Now I set a little bit lower a half. One week playing yet.

[@EMFAudio]

@@VidiSLTU The gain is for matching it to signal voltage, nothing else. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKK1haluppmbmZY

[@LogicallyIInsane]

Mind blown 🤯

[@toolsnthings5539]

ok so what i got from this is that you can go full tilt on a new sub as long as it stays within its power rating no problem.

[@EMFAudio]

As long as it's not built like garbage, in which it would fail mechanically at some point anyway.

[@Dont-come-at-me-24]

Just play like 10-20hz low volume free air that will break the spiders in, I have had brand new subs just reconed and fail the same time giving it full power without break in. Second time it was played on low power free air on a sweep and then installed it took a lot longer to kill and sounded much better.

[@EMFAudio]

Sounds like you had garbage subs. 25 years and I've never broken in a sub, never had a failure because of it. I also tell all my customers they don't need to and THEY don't have problems.

[@Dont-come-at-me-24]

EMF Audio we’ll real world test have been done by others and have had better results with breaking in subs. I had the issue on ground zero radioactive 18’s, reconed with factory soft parts and then with FI soft parts. (FI ones lasted longer) Also I have 2x FI ssd subs one that had little use from new and another that I’ve been beating on daily for over a year. Both tested on same power / same box / same car and the broken in one plays lower and louder. I guess that’s just some voodoo magic 🙄

[@EMFAudio]

@@Dont-come-at-me-24 What are you saying worked better? If it's the coil, then that was because it had a different coil, not because it was broken in or not. Ground Zero uses Chinese coils, Fi uses USA coils. The failure temperature is over over 200 degrees different. Your "real world" testing has variables. The actual real world, breaking in changes performance because that's what happens if it breaks in after a day or a year. Performance isn't failure.

[@azzazel_99]

Isn’t the point of breaking it in is so you don’t over heat the coil right away? As the spiders loosen up the coil isn’t going to heat up as much.

[@EMFAudio]

You can't break it in if you don't put power on it.

[@azzazel_99]

@@EMFAudio the spiders will loosen with moderate playing. If you just go wide open ham on it between the fresh VC, super stuff spiders you can cause an excess of heat build up which will lead to the vc being damaged. There is a real reason why there is a break in period. It’s not snake oil. Some people don’t do it and have no problems others have problems right away.

[@EMFAudio]

@@azzazel_99 Oh, so you mean a poorly designed sub that's too stiff with crap coils. I don't deal with those so I wouldn't know. Even SPL subs, 15's with an Fs in the 60's, you can put 10k on them first play. I know because I've done it a hundred times. Like the video said, if the sub blows, it's trash. It takes power to move it. If it's not moving it's not breaking in.

[@azzazel_99]

@@EMFAudio to each their own. You call other people’s subs trash that work perfect once you break them in properly. Sundown, Skar, mtx, Memphis, American bass, kicker, fi, even steavemeades own shit is supposed to be broken in. Again to each their own. But flat out calling stuff shit or trash cause they recommend breaking in stiff spiders just makes you look dumb. If YOU choose not to break any of your subs in that’s cool too. However plenty of brands that recommend break-ins slap hard once you get through the recommended break in. Plenty of people don’t break in some of the same subs I mentioned above and never have issues.

[@EMFAudio]

@@azzazel_99 none of the brands you listed break when you DON'T break them in either. Well some American Bass might, the ones that are the same as Sound Qubed. Some of those are trash for other reasons and don't break from not breaking them in. But what do I know about subs, I just have patents for engineering them.

[@ow_will]

Well inevitably you will break in even if you dont intend to and if you dont want a broken in sub then dont play it

[@EMFAudio]

That's the point. It happens.

[@ow_will]

@@EMFAudio thanks for replying

[@572012myo]

Good day. What's your take on a strong motor and an underhung coil?

[@EMFAudio]

"strong" is relative, but that combination can be great for sound quality as long as the motor isn't too strong.

[@aninjacalledshank2278]

I'm sure there are some cheap speaker manufacturers that a little break in is highly beneficial. Imagine stiff sub suspension and say elmers school glue.... I think that probably the part to most likely fail if not letting the suspension as a whole soften first spider or surround or even coil comming apart do to weak connection. Although i have personally never broken in any sub. Well nevermind. Great vid. Posted to soon 9:30 then got back to view my comment covered in detail. Thank you for mentioning weak spider tearing as well.

[@aninjacalledshank2278]

Ive got a couple of tens in my car currently that are mostly gorilla glue. Not do to break in so much as break apart. I do think a good ten years of pounding will do that. Seems every couple years need some repairs.

[@hispls]

No. If it is poorly built or someone used old/bad glue it will break no matter what ritual you perform. Vas, FS and Q typically vary less than 10% once suspension is loosened up (higher Q and Vats lower Fs); plug any sub's numbers you like into WinISD or Bass Box pro and you will not see an audible difference. If you play a sub hard at x-max most of this softening happens within the first few minutes then continues for several years almost imperceptibly over time. This whole myth was started by companies looking for an unprovable cop-out for honoring warranty claims. It breaks mechanically you must not have "broken it in" with the proper ritual.... stands to reason, warranty denied. I have built and broken and pulled specs from enough specs to confirm "break in" as it's being pitched by some companies is 24 karat bullshit.

[@kevin10USA]

If our specs change.. is the box recommendation for the sub also going to change? Say if we build to a spec sheet on the sub.

[@EMFAudio]

If you build off of pre-breakin specs vs post breakin specs, yes, it could be very different.

[@kevin10USA]

Thank you.

[@ert-wert]

I'm still not convinced

[@EMFAudio]

Then do it yourself and see.

[@michaelfonseca6869]

Good shit bro

[@tonyv33ee]

Thats what I say...i mean dont they go through testing before even being sold, the company is basically breaking them in for you

[@EMFAudio]

Few manufacturers do that, and it's not enough to really break one in.

[@tonyv33ee]

@@EMFAudio as far as testing each sub or random selection

[@EMFAudio]

@@tonyv33ee We, and a few others, test every sub. Some random check, most don't check at all.