Aimed at FHRX, s_tim_ulate, magnat etc etc

What is the 'correct' technique to break in your subs?

I am basically starting the gain off reasonably low, and slowly turning them up to a point where I am happy with the level, go a bit further, then back off. This would be done over maybe 5 hours or so, and with sweeps of bass frequency 10-180Hz.....

anyone?

lol

http://www.tomservo.cc/show.aspx/hammer.jpg

Some people believe in breaking in Subs others don't
It is true it can take a little while for New subs suspension and motor assembly to loosen up..

I usually Break mine in for 10 hours at a moderate Volume, not Full on Back seat shaking but enough so the surround is moving and the excursion isn't too great..
Some R&B with nice gentle bass is a good idea like Whoomp There it is by Tag team usually does it nicely as you can then crank the volume and have Back massaging Bass...

My Two Magnat Subs have been in Storage for the Past 4 months and when I am finished the enclosure for them I will then again Break them in just in case the surround and motor assembly has gone hard...

Always wise to break in new subs... Very important and not too much hassle.

With newer subs the suspension is usually very tight. This makes them more susceptible to damage and they usually will not perform to their best. playing tones makes the speaker 'sweat' and softens it up. The actual sub can take 50 hours + before it will play at it's optimum. (Why a lot of people arent as impressed with their subs when they buy them new)

Best frequency is low and resonably quiet when you start, gradually increasing the volume from nothing up to fairly audible in a quiet room. Some people break in for 40 hours. Others for 5. If you have an amp indoors or a 12v transformer for ur car amp plug it in put ur tone on repeat and leave it as long as you can. Safest frequency is Fs, the resonant frequency of ur driver. This is the point at which the impedance is at a maximum and the weight of the moving mass is balanced with the force of the suspension when its in flight...

Try to avoid tones below fs. (Ok at low levels, but dont even think about pumping them;)) Especially in Ported boxes as they will push ur subs beyond their xmax.

Your 10-180 sweeps will be fine at low volume. Leave it for 15-20 hours. Good to see ur taking care of your gear...

If you want a safer sweep - right click save as (http://www.snapbug.ws/sinewaves/15%20Hz%20to%2080%20Hz%20Sweep.mp3)
But I would recommend this - 30hz (http://www.snapbug.ws/sinewaves/SIN030.mp3) Play it very quietly and resist the urge to pump it. Turn it up a notch every couple of hours.

Peace

Tim

Once again Tim is spot on with his explanation. :D

Higher quality subwoofers are thermally burnt in at the factory as this is actually part of the testing phase, but their suspension (qms / mechanical stiffness) is still very tight. Like your cars springs and suspension when you first get new ones, it take a certain amount of time to loosen up. It largely depends on the woofer in question but usually 25-50 hours is a good run in time and 50-100 should see the subwoofer fully bedded in. :)

Okay thanks Tim and FHRX.... very good explainations. I paid money for my stuff, and since I don't have a money tree or two in the backyard, I wanna take care of it. And the Mrs has decreed no more ICE spending unless it is for her car. She will get one of my amps and the crappy 12" sony sub & 30L box that was in mine. Just gotta get a headunit for her.

Will fire up CoolEdit and make me an fs tone and burning it fo the entire length of a CD for my subs....

/me scurries to find driver data sheet*

Have been running only one driver due to lack of amplifier options. See my sig for coming Amp. Should be here in two weeks. The other has been flopping around in the box as a passive driver. At least it is getting some softening too.

Have been running some dance at low levels (with Sub level control running at half on the head unit, and half a Sony XM444 bridged and running it at around 1/3 gain). It's going, but only just to give me a little more bass extension at the moment. Once the amp arrives, I will be doing what was suggested.

Thanks for our help guys.
Joel

Its the best way to get the Mrs on side... get them into car audio. Then they'll await your upgrades cos it means more for them :)

Peace

Tim

Yeah, she loves all things cars and audio. If you come along to the Dyno Day for NSW members in Sydney on the weekend, you can meet me and the Mrs. Might even go for a run past FHRX studios while I am down....

My 19-month-old also loves the bass... he calls my car "Dada Doof Doof" - I'm not Sh*tting ya....

Would love to... but it's a long trip from Melbourne... :(

oh well, next time I am visiting the Rellies in Melb I will let you know.

Used to be from the Red Hill / Dromana Area myselfs...