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Thread: How much difference does break-in really make? |
    
New member Username: H3yn0w
Post Number: 10
Registered: Jul-06
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| Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 12:41 pm: |
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I've got a new pair of totem sttafs. They are wonderfull but I find they are a bit shrill on the high end. In particular on vocal "S'sss" and drum crash/symbols. In these respects they are a tad harsh. How much will they warm up over time. With the change be very noticable?
(I am powering them with a NAD C352) |
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Silver Member Username: Praetorian
Canada
Post Number: 363
Registered: Dec-05
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| Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 08:11 pm: |
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In my OPINION the only thing breaking in is your ears, and after 48 hours you will become accustomed to the new sound. Soon there will be people posting here that it will take up to as long as 1400 hours (but most fall quite short of that) to properly "break-in" your speakers. Regardless of who is right or wrong (assuming the two theories are excusive), you should find that after extended play, probably MAX two weeks, this will not seem like an issue to you anymore. |
Silver Member Username: Praetorian
Canada
Post Number: 364
Registered: Dec-05
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| Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 08:12 pm: |
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*exclusive |
Silver Member Username: Praetorian
Canada
Post Number: 365
Registered: Dec-05
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| Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 08:13 pm: |
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Dew knot rust yore spell chequer. |
Silver Member Username: Gamerdude
Ontario
Canada
Post Number: 131
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 08:19 pm: |
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Do not wrest your spell checker;) |
Bronze Member Username: H3yn0w
Post Number: 11
Registered: Jul-06
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| Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 09:26 pm: |
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Thanks for your comment Michael,
The totem website suggests about 80 hours of break-in for these speakers. Do you think thats just a saftey thing, or perhaps just a marketing thing? |
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigne
Dallas,
TX
Post Number: 9046
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 09:40 pm: |
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.
Maybe it's an amplifier thing. |
Bronze Member Username: Jaw
Post Number: 34
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 09:45 pm: |
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Yoor speaker cables will affect the sound more than the brake-in period.
If the treble remains harsh to your ears, try taping a single sheet of tissue (kleenex) on the tweeter housing and let it drape over the driver.
This is a major technical innovation that works. |
Silver Member Username: Praetorian
Canada
Post Number: 366
Registered: Dec-05
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| Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 09:51 pm: |
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It's hard for me to say. There are probably some physical properties that do get worked over a bit after time. The more "moving parts" there is (i.e. the cones), the greater effect this will have. Whether or not these impact sonic performance in a discernible way is debatable. Personally I doubt this, but again, strictly an opinion.
As to whether this is a marketing ploy or something the Totem staff believe in, I cannot say. Intuitively I think this started as a marketing ploy (perhaps to extend past the retailers/governmental return policy). No matter what any store policy says you can return anything for a refund within the first 48 hours, but while I believe this is how the break-in concept started, it may very well be that the Totem company truly believes this is a factual phenomena.
Regardless, whether or not this is a human condition, or a physical one, I think after 80 hours you will be accustomed to it. |
Gold Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 1593
Registered: Sep-04
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 09:44 am: |
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80 - 100 hours for Sttafs to break in properly. That said, what you're describing could easily be a more basic problem - that you are more susceptible to treble and this combined with the Sttaf's metal dome tweeter is too much for you. Ensure you run them in by playing them constantly (even when not in the house) at an ordinary not quite room filling volume for a coupld of days. They should really loosen up within a week. At the moment they probably sound a little 'tight' and the treble could be a little over-emphasised. That said, they do use metal dome tweeters and anything that emphasises treble (which could easily be your CD player for all we know) will bring them on, although I would not normally call Sttafs bright.
Regards,
Frank. |
New member Username: Jamoson
Lancaster,
PA
USA
Post Number: 2
Registered: Aug-06
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 06:11 pm: |
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Speakers definately have a break in period.The amount of time would depend on the actual construction of the speaker. Rubber surrounds become more plyable over time etc. The important thing is to make sure they sound good when you demo them in the store where they are hopefully broken in. Any legitamate Hi-Fi retailer should let you try the "broken in" Speakers in your enviroment to verify if there are discernable differences. I am assuming you did actually hear these speakers before you bought them. |
Silver Member Username: Praetorian
Canada
Post Number: 370
Registered: Dec-05
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 06:30 pm: |
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"Assume" - makes an Azz of you and me. |
Bronze Member Username: H3yn0w
Post Number: 12
Registered: Jul-06
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 06:45 pm: |
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The speakers at the store sounded great, which is why I bought them. I will wait a few days and see if they round out a bit. Like I said, the brightness is very slight, so its not a huge deal. |
Silver Member Username: Praetorian
Canada
Post Number: 372
Registered: Dec-05
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 07:28 pm: |
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Good luck Dan! Your equipment is excellent, and there is no reason for you NOT to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Sit back; kick your feet up (maybe pour a cognac if that is in your taste or supplement whichever beverage suits your fancy), then just merge with the ambience. ;-) |
New member Username: Jamoson
Lancaster,
PA
USA
Post Number: 4
Registered: Aug-06
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| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 07:42 pm: |
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Ok Michael that incorrect spelling of Azz was hurtful and unfortunate and hurt me in a special place. As for you Dan D, I would ask your salesman to bring some broken in speakers to your place and A/B them or try them out for a couple days either way; win win. You, music, speakers, critical listening. Yayyyyyy |
