Thoughts on subwoofer break-in.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-26-2011, 10:44 PM
  #1  
Team Owner
Thread Starter
 
I hate cars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 20,172
Received 1,812 Likes on 1,283 Posts
Thoughts on subwoofer break-in.

I'm researching the heck out of this, thought I might ask here. Specifically if the sound noticeably changes after break-in in an IB configuration. I would think that without the air spring, any changes would be more noticeable IB.

One thing I'm getting at is the Tempest has nothing past 50hz or so. I'm hoping that it might gain a little frequency response after it loosens up a little. I've seen two very different schools of thought. Many believe there is no such thing and it's a manufacturer's conspiracy to avoid immediate returns. The other school of thought is that break-in is real and especially on high powered high excursion subs more so than mids.

Most reviews post break in show more low end and no changes in the top end...
Old 04-27-2011, 11:21 AM
  #2  
Coolest A-zine Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Trunk Monkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Oklahoma
Age: 37
Posts: 3,084
Received 172 Likes on 163 Posts
Wow...you're not getting anything worthwhile past 50hz out of the Tempest? That's bad
Old 04-28-2011, 09:13 AM
  #3  
Dogmatic Dinosaur
 
jda123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boulder, CO
Age: 49
Posts: 1,532
Received 72 Likes on 52 Posts
I have been made fun of at some local car shows for breaking in subs, but I think that it does help, in some minor ways.

I found that they would play in their full range, just a bit peaky at first under light/medium load where the stiffness is hard to overcome with the wattage supplied. They tended to smooth out at lower wattage once loosened up. At high wattage, the power seemed to move the driver just fine. That being said, after about 10 hours of listening, they are fine.

Don't hold out too much hope that they are going to get exponentially better. I hope that they do though.
Old 04-28-2011, 09:17 AM
  #4  
Dogmatic Dinosaur
 
jda123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boulder, CO
Age: 49
Posts: 1,532
Received 72 Likes on 52 Posts
Oh, I also think that the break-in period is also for the owner.

Unfortunately, you hear too many stories about people buying a few 1000W peak subs, dropping 2000W to them as soon as they hook them up, crank up some tunes and smoke the coils out of them.
Old 04-28-2011, 09:23 AM
  #5  
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (1)
 
HEAVY_RL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: RVa
Age: 44
Posts: 7,123
Received 1,041 Likes on 846 Posts
I had a JL W13 and a couple thousand watts, the first day out we melted the coil off of the woofer... always take a little time to tune and break it in.
Old 04-28-2011, 09:07 PM
  #6  
Burning Brakes
 
callahan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Age: 35
Posts: 990
Received 73 Likes on 71 Posts
I have always had my amped turn down and keep the volume down for the first week, then slightly turn it up for the 2nd week. Then your good.
Old 04-29-2011, 10:11 PM
  #7  
1st Gear
 
Riffle318's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Age: 45
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I usually let them play at a partial level for 1hour constant, let them sit off for a few minuets, then start turning them up. I usually go back and readjust within the first week though.
Old 05-07-2011, 12:12 AM
  #8  
Fearless DIY Guy
iTrader: (2)
 
DeathMetal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Jersey 'Burbs
Age: 43
Posts: 3,003
Received 373 Likes on 206 Posts
Honestly, if differs from sub to sub. The manufacturer SHOULD have specification on the supplied data sheet.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SidhuSaaB
3G TL Problems & Fixes
18
05-30-2020 12:40 AM
acuratl26
2G TL (1999-2003)
24
04-23-2020 07:30 PM
RLX-Sport Hybrid
3G RLX (2013+)
27
12-07-2018 12:11 PM
jmaxima03
Member Cars for Sale
1
09-27-2015 10:22 AM
MilanoRedDashR
3G TL Problems & Fixes
5
09-24-2015 11:04 PM



Quick Reply: Thoughts on subwoofer break-in.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:19 PM.