Audio gurus,

Hmm I would imagine you breakin your speaker by using it.......if you want to break it in quick you can wire one of them out of phase and face the 2 speaker real close to each other and play some pink noise(from the tuner) non-stop. This will create minimal noise but you can't enjoy your new speaker that way.

I would imagine that as well.

GTI said:

Hmm I would imagine you breakin your speaker by using it.......if you want to break it in quick you can wire one of them out of phase and face the 2 speaker real close to each other and play some pink noise(from the tuner) non-stop. This will create minimal noise but you can't enjoy your new speaker that way.

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I don't want a quick break in. You see, I'm new to this game and although I thoroughly appreciate quality audio, I just don't know what I can expect from my speakers during break in.

After appx.150 - 200 hours of various music, they are less bright (good thing) and the bass seems to push the limits at much lower volumes than day one. They have a warmer, more mellow sound than before.

In the end, I'd just like to hook up with some people who could share their B&W experiences.

My HT setup is 602S1/CC6S1/302, my bedroom system is a pair of 305s and a friend of mine has 604S1/CC6S2/601S2, and neither of us did any of the tweako break-in. Just used em normally, and after a while we both just noticed that it sounds 'different' than when new.

We both noticed the same things you did. Mellower highs (less so on the S2s with the Nautilus-ish tweeter), and more extended bass (which is normal 'cause the woofers' suspension loosens up a bit).

I would absolutely buy B&W again. One of these days, I'll buy me a set of 800 series. :thumb:

I would think after 150-200 hours your speaker is already past the initial break-in. It should gradually improve over the next few years.

Your next tasks would be mostly speaker placement to get the most from them and maybe room acoustic treatment.
I imagine you are using them in a H-T setup too.

Be careful, Hi-Fi is equally if not more blood sucking than automobile.......You could easily spend an M3 on audio/video stuff without knowing it

Exactly!

Kaz said:

My HT setup is 602S1/CC6S1/302, my bedroom system is a pair of 305s and a friend of mine has 604S1/CC6S2/601S2, and neither of us did any of the tweako break-in. Just used em normally, and after a while we both just noticed that it sounds 'different' than when new.

We both noticed the same things you did. Mellower highs (less so on the S2s with the Nautilus-ish tweeter), and more extended bass (which is normal 'cause the woofers' suspension loosens up a bit).

I would absolutely buy B&W again. One of these days, I'll buy me a set of 800 series. :thumb:

Click to expand...

I will before all is said and done, bring a pair of 800 series home and will have a listening room dedicated to and worthy of them.

Not yet.

GTI said:

I would think after 150-200 hours your speaker is already past the initial break-in. It should gradually improve over the next few years.

Your next tasks would be mostly speaker placement to get the most from them and maybe room acoustic treatment.
I imagine you are using them in a H-T setup too.

Be careful, Hi-Fi is equally if not more blood sucking than automobile.......You could easily spend an M3 on audio/video stuff without knowing it

Click to expand...

My main goal is music. Theater is definitely secondary. I know what you mean though. I'm already spending a lot of jack where my want list is concerned.

The room they currently occupy is appx. 16' X 22' - 10' ceiling and thick plaster walls. It is carpeted and has about a 50/50 mix of sound absorbant and reflective materials.

I do need to space them out but the lay of the room is kind of odd. It's an old home and unfortunately, they didn't build them with accoustics or electronics in mind.

It will definitely take some experimentation.

ARCHER said:

I'm looking for a good audio forum

Click to expand...

Here you go

AVS Forum

Alex

First thing to do would be to get a kick ass source. Second would be to upgrad ethe receiver. My rule of thumb is that the speakers should cost 1/3rd or less of the system price, it works very nicely for me.

My system:

PS Audio Lambda II CD transport (original retail $2,995, picked up used for $500)
PS Audio Ultralink II Digital to Analogue Converter (also originally $2,995, picked up for $500)
Rotel RC-1090 PreAmp (Retail around $1,200, paid $970)
Rotel RB-1080 Amp (Retail around $1,100, paid $820)
Mirage OM-7 Omnipolar speakers (Retail $2,000, paid $1,640)

It's an awesome system. The more I do with the electronics, the happier I am. More than likely, once your break-in is completed, you will still notice a fair amount of brightness. This will most likely come from the electronics, although it may also be a result of your interconnect cables.

I recommend relatively inexpensive AudioQuest cables for most solid state stuff, they have awesome bass response, and somewhat rolled off treble, which helps control the harshness of "lower-end" audio equipment.

Seriously, though, if you're you're experiencing listening fatigue and harshness, spend some money on the source. The new Rotel RCD-1070 is reputed to be absolutely incredible at an excellent price.

Nick

Oh yes... As far as break-in is concerned, the dedicated CDs are good, but unnecessary. I picked a few CDs that pushed the limits of various areas and cycled them through.
Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet is great for treble.
How We Quit the Forest by a group called Rasputina is just incredible for mid-range and bass workout. It's also what prompted me to spend so much money on my system.

Nick

GTI said:

I agree with Nick totally.
At one point I was playing around a pair of Radio Shack Optimus Pro-LX5 with VTL monoblock combo.
(Those who follow Stereophile ~8 years ago should remember that Optimus)

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heehee, I bet one tube outta that VTL cost more than the pair of LX5s. :lmao:

Whatever happened to the Linaeum craze anyhow?

Archer,

You should have asked. I do all my research, and I can be found on:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/

Most people use their real names as screen names. I've been on since October without any crazies lurking.

- Mike

I've got 602's all around w/LCR6 (all series 2). It took about a month of good workouts (2 weeks using the out of phase method w/various CDs and about 5-6 heavy sounding movies) until the sound stage opened up and the speakers became "transparent". I was watching DVD one day and I noticed that I couldn't place where the sounds were coming from so that's when I officially finished the break in period.

Bob