break in basics- what should i do

[Mr X]

hey i just got a mm2104 today in a sealed box. i know what breaking in a subwoofer means, but im not quite sure what to do, or how to do it properly. what should i do? thanks

Mr X

[MacLeod]

Ive never broken in a sub in my life and have never had any problems but then I mainly use MTX subs which are virtually indestructible?

I would just turn the gain down on my sub amp substantially and keep it that way for a couple weeks. Dont turn it off just way below normal levels.

Im sure there are other ways but this is the way I would do it assuming I ever had the patience to break in a sub.

[Mr X]

what does gain do///
Mr X

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

it's the volume control on your amp.

[Mr X]

okay, so im just going to be using it normally, no special treatment. unless there is something better to do.

[Mr X]

actually, i will be looping a 40hz warble tone at low volume. how many hours shuld i do this for? i also have other Hz like 16, 80hz is 40hz a good tone to break it in with?

MR X

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

I'd start with somewhere around 40 or 30 and work your way down from there...

[Mr X]

is the point actually to make the driver move in and out a whole lot or just to lightly vibrate it? at the 40hz on low the driver is just vibrating a little, but not moving in and out hardly. should i put on the 16Hz, because it really exercises the driver.

included is the tests i use.

Mr X

[Mr X]

i decided on doing a 30hz tone on a volume just about 1.5 cm movement from driver for 2hrs. i have it on a volume just before i hear a wharbling BRRR from them.

i was researching and a site said:
" Nearly all new speakers require a few hours of bass-heavy material at a fairly loud volume to break them in. What this does is loosen up the driver suspensions and smooth out the response. The speakers were designed and calibrated to include the effects of break-in and will sound even smoother afterward. "

Mr X

[AustinKP]

There is much debate on whether or not "breaking-in" is actually necessary. It certainly won't hurt the sub to take it easy to start with, but as to whether or not it helps, so far I'm unconvinced either way...
-Austin

[MacLeod]

Originally posted by Polkmaniac
it's the volume control on your amp.

Actually its not. The gain matches the input of your amp to the output of your head unit.

Say your head unit is at 100% when the volume is at 25. Ideally you want your amp to be at 100% when your h/u is at 25 (actually you want your amp to be at 75% at 25 to avoid clipping). If you turn the gain up all the way your amp may be at 100% when your h/u is at 15 or so. This way, if you turn your h/u to 20, youll push your amp into clipping which can kill your speakers, fast! So you set your gain to a postition that matches your h/u so everything works like it should and you dont kill speakers.

[neomagus00]

to simplify what mac said: do this (http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/dhuston/audioindex.html) to set gains :).

also, as austin said, breakin is controversial, different manufacturers rec different things. polk recs a very calm breakin process, keeping the gains way down for about 50 (yes, fifty) hours of playing time, and then you can turn it up. on the other hand, kicker likes you to play the sub at a very low tone, say 16 hz, for a few hours at large excursions. i'd say stick with what polk says - after all, they did make the speaker, and it can't hurt.

[goingganzo]

i have my setup set so at 5 i have normal driveing music and when i get to 15 it is insane levels.

[MacLeod]

Mine is set to 12-18 for normal listening and 20-25 for the very loud. I also hit 20-25 for normal listening on CD's that have weak mixes. Like Operation Mindcrime or When Dream and Day Unite.

Although I set mine by ear rather than going by Neo's link. His is the proper way to do it but I bi-amp my speakers so I needed to do a little more ear tuning.