The How & Why of Speaker Break In

In this video, we discuss why you would break in a speaker or if you even need to at all.
A guitar speaker is used to demonstrate the tonal difference starting at 5:00, but this concept applies to bass speakers, home stereos, car speakers or any other speaker.
We also discuss 3 Tips to improve the speaker break in process and what methods can be used.
More comparisons of speakers in this cab can be found here:
• How Do Multiple Speake...
Gear Used:
Epiphone Sheraton II
PRS SE50
Recording setting up:
Zoom H8
Dayton Audio measurement mic
Shure SM57
#guitar #audio #speaker

[@pharmerdavid1432]

I've noticed in humid environments speakers don't sound their best at first, but after about an hour the heat from the tubes dries out the speakers in my old tube combos, then the speakers/amp sound like they should. There is likely some other reasons for the better sound, but the speaker being dried-out is important in my experience as a home noodle. What you say about bass frequencies is important too, get that surround moving to loosen it up. I'll hit an E chord (or whatever, big chords) with the volume off, and gradually turn up the volume to get the speaker moving. I do that with bar chords up and down the neck, along with cowboy chords in the first few frets. I've read dozens of techniques other people use. The first few days seem to loosen them up, then after maybe 100 hours they are likely even looser, many theories. I just go by my ears, and from that know humid air dampens speaker cones to the point I can hear the difference, and that after being gently heated by the tubes the cones work their best, vibrations flowing through them without water damping the fibers. Interesting subject, speakers are a bit of an obsession, and have accumulated many over the years, some haven't even been used yet. I find the old speakers with original cones sound best, I paid over $500 for a Celestion Vox silver bell with the legendary "pulsonic" cone. I see them as instruments themselves, since they are what transmit the vibrations, so paying $200-500 isn't outrageous to my mind. Cheers!

[@idlepickups]

This is a great video! I haven’t seen many people including the tips to crank the bass and mids or providing side-by-side comparisons of the speakers before and after break in. The spectral analyzer was also a nice touch. Well done! I’d like to talk to you about sending some product for use in your reviews. If you’re open to it, what’s the best way to get in touch?

[@cxfilterstudios7691]

Sure seems to move nice mids forward

[@nine9whitepony526]

I have a 5150 iconic which is obviously a closed back Combo Amp. I wanted to see how it would sound as an open back, so I took the screws out but was not able to get the back off without prying and ruining the finish. Is there a way to get that off safely without causing damage to the cabinet or the back piece?

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

I don't have any experience with that amp, but looking at photos online it looks like to was designed to be removed. Most amps are design for the speaker to be removed so I would feel confident saying that you can remove it. I don't have any tips for removing it though, sorry! If you have success removing the back panel, please share any advice in case someone else is in the same situation

[@nine9whitepony526]

I have a second question, on that same 5150, I've not had a chance to try it out in my band setting yet, it's only been played in my music room. It's a 40 watt, but i use the 1/4 power setting all the time because I can't really crank it in my house. Is that bad to always leave it there for long periods, or should I use the full 40 from time to time. What kind of problems might arise from this?

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

Most amps with that function are designed to take one or two of the power tubes out of the circuit to decrease the wattage. They are designed for this so there is no problem running it like that! For speaker break in, I would definitely run it at full power but otherwise leaving it at 1/4 power will have no negative affects on the amp

[@Okraknife]

I just run full-range music through mine but I down always need to. Some speakers sound great when new.

[@michaelmarchei8539]

What say you about people who use solvents on the rubber surrounds to help with break in?

[@sandersonstunes]

I always figured the breaking in idea was more you getting used to the way the speakers sound. There is a big change when switching from different kinds of speakers, or in my case when mixing, switching headphones or switching to speakers. If you practiced or mixed on the new speakers you'd get more comfortable with them and feel like they've been "Broken in" when you're just used to that sound. Seems like just another excuse for guitarists to explain why their recordings sound bad. When a little EQ could make up the difference is it really that big of a deal? Maybe focus on your performance and mic position before you worry about the subtle things.

[@vorpalblades]

Bass frequencies move more slowly. You're referring to excursion, the distance the cone moves.

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

That is correct, thank you!

[@Durkhead]

Its not break in its a acumulation of dust an moisture making the speaker heavier which gives it more low end and less high end

[@DisorderlySoundStudios]

I don't think dust build up would effect this short term test but moisture could have, thanks for the info!

[@Durkhead]

@@DisorderlySoundStudios it doesnt take long for dust to acumulate in an air conditioned room and the speaker is constantly pushing and pulling air and its a magnet so its also pulling particles towards it which are sticking to it cause of the moisture built up from the constant heating up and cooling down causing condensation. Its definetly a layer of your dead skin weighing it down