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...

 

Wow...you're not getting anything worthwhile past 50hz out of the Tempest? That's bad

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Honestly, if differs from sub to sub. The manufacturer SHOULD have specification on the supplied data sheet.