# Breaking in speakers **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 5, 2004, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736 "2004-10-05T21:36:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GreyWanderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@GreyWanderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreyWanderer)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736/1 "2004-10-05T21:36:36Z")
Is this a real phenomenon? I’ve been unable to find any definite info on the subject. And I’ve also both heard you’re supposed to play the speakers low and very loud. In that case, what is the correct way to do it? ---
**Author:** ![Lagged2Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ac8455/32.png) [@Lagged2Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lagged2Death)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736/2 "2004-10-05T22:14:06Z")
Like so many other things in the world of Hi-Fi, it depends on who you ask. In addition to the disparate opinions about break-in volume, you’ll find some people who say that playing a certain type of music is best, some who say that playing special “break-in” CDs is best, some who say that the speakers should be connected and arranged in special ways for break-in, and on and on. It’s very unlikely you’ll ever find a definite answer on this question. When I see “experts” squabbling over details like these with absolutely nothing besides their unshakably strong opinions to back them up, I generally figure the whole phenomenon is bunk. I’d say: enjoy your music, don’t worry about breaking stuff in. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736/3 "2004-10-05T22:17:29Z")
> [@GreyWanderer](#): > > …you’re supposed to play the speakers low and very loud. Either “low” means something besides low volume or you are trying to do an impossible task. Bottom line is if you can’t hear a difference there isn’t a difference that matters. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736/4 "2004-10-05T22:21:55Z")
> [@padeye](#): > > Either “low” means something besides low volume… I’m reading it as a low tone. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736/5 "2004-10-05T22:33:11Z")
> [@GreyWanderer](#): > > Is this a real phenomenon? Dunno. Just had an amp and new speakers installed in my car. The installer told me about breaking in the speakers for a few weeks, then adjusting the amp. Sounded like a way for him to avoid adjusting the amplifier, but I don’t know for sure. ---
**Author:** ![GreyWanderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@GreyWanderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreyWanderer)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736/6 "2004-10-05T22:35:52Z")
> [@Padeye](#): > > Either “low” means something besides low volume or you are trying to do an impossible task. Bottom line is if you can’t hear a difference there isn’t a difference that matters. I meant, some people say low, and some say loud. So there is a contradiction. The sentence was a bit stupid, I know. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736/7 "2004-10-05T23:27:44Z")
> [@GreyWanderer](#): > > I meant, some people say low, and some say loud. So there is a contradiction. The sentence was a bit stupid, I know. Not at all. It actually makes sense if it means low frequency. Cones in bass speakers need to displace a lot to make sound, that’s why the surrounds are made out of foam or a cloth pleat. It makes sense that the surround might be a little stiff at first and loosen up after a bit of play and probably give more bass than when they were brand new. I suppose you can play them extra loud to speed up the process but if you have that big a bug up your ass about it you probably won’t enjoy the music anyway 😃 Seriously, no insult intended. I’d just play them normally and if you notice a change in bass then adjust your tone or equalizer until it sounds the way you want it. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736/8 "2004-10-05T23:56:54Z")
- - - Generally speaking, the only electronic component that needs to settle in _at all_ is vacuum tubes. …The RCA/Radiotron Designer Handbook is considered the most comprehensive technical handbook on vacuum-tube audio/RF circuit design, its last edition was completed in 1954. It contains charts generated by the US Navy pre-dating WW II, used for estimating tube burn-in response. The book does not mention any other component (including _wire_[!]) as having similar tendencies when new. ~ ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736/9 "2004-10-06T01:36:31Z")
If you go over to AVS forum you’ll find several discussions about breaking speakers in. One thing that pops up from time to time is that when breaking in speakers you can wire them out of phase and aim that at each other. This way you can set the volume up higher without blowing out your ear drums. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-in-speakers/267736/10 "2004-10-06T03:12:34Z")
> [@DougC](#): > > - > - > - Generally speaking, the only electronic component that needs to settle in _at all_ is vacuum tubes. Oh man, I have an old tube amp. It has a very nice sound but only after the tubes have warmed up, about 20 minutes after turn on. Back to the original question, the only part of a speaker that might need breaking in is the cone surround, which **might** _(maybe)_ need to loosen up. So what does that best? Who knows? Just play the damn things. The foam doesn’t know what is causing it to move.