The Biggest Myth of Break-In (That It Doesn't Exist)

"I don't have to get hit by a car to know it hurts."

The trouble with armchair experts and audio-forum electrical engineers is that they're so sure of what they know. For example, if the influence of audio cables (or any other hi-fi variable) was as simple as the cause-and-effect relationship between being hit by a Ford F150 and agony, Upscale Audio wouldn't exist because buying an audio system would be no more notable than picking out an electric kettle at Target.

We're all here because audio is fascinatingly complex, and because our ear-brain combo is almost magical in its sensitivity. If someone dropped a pin in a quiet, dark room, you would not only hear it, you would point to where it fell. The energy and time differences involved are so minuscule they're almost unmeasurable. Yet, when it comes to online audio discussion, the La-Z-Boy PhDs talk like our ears are no more functional than blocks of cheese.

One of many triggering topics for Audio Science Researchers is break-in, even when discussing loudspeakers. At Upscale, we know break-in is real, not just for loudspeakers, cartridges and other mechanical components, but everything electrical and electronic, including streamers and cables. We hear it every day. An Upscale Audio employee listens to more combinations and substitutions in a week than most forum experts would encounter in years. We can do opulent things such as A/B two pairs of the same model of $20,000 speakers, one brand new, the other with 5,000 hours. How often can you do that at home?

While more controversial than mechanical break-in, electronic break-in is no less real. Here, a Deep Cryo–treated Fyne Audio crossover.

"Larger loudspeakers tend to be the worst offenders"

We want to talk about break-in today because we have had more than one recent worried—even scared—Fyne Audio customer call us, wanting to return their new purchase. Though most of them are aware of break-in, it's been a few days and their speakers are really not sounding as they expect.

"It's early still," we tell them. "Keep playing music."

"But..."

"Trust us."

A week later they call us again, relieved and hugely impressed. All speakers need break-in but there's something about the way those IsoFlares settle in that makes the process so crucial. "These are the best speakers I've ever had," said one recent customer.

As the technical director of Fyne Audio, Dr. Paul Mills knows every single part and material in the speakers, and he assures us break-in is real. The most obvious aspect, he says, is needing the speaker surround, which is often rubber, and the rear fabric suspension to "ease up."

"This can be measured," he confirms. You can plot the reduction in the resonant frequency or low tuning frequency, allowing the bass to perform more accurately. Less obvious is that "all components in the transducers from paper cones to tweeter domes have internal stresses from the manufacturing process which can cause anything from harshness to lack of dynamics."

Don't Forget the Crossovers

But there's more. Crossover components such as capacitors, inductors, resistors, and cabling also have internal stresses that are eased by having a signal applied. "This is one reason we cryogenically treat many of our crossovers, as this helps reduce internal stresses too," says Dr. Paul.
 
"It does take a long time to fully run in a loudspeaker. Whereas considerable improvements can be seen after 40 hours, it can take 10 times that to fully run in. Larger loudspeakers tend to be the worst offenders, as for a start the cones tend to move less."
 
To conclude, whether Fyne Audio or any other brand, when you bring a new audio product home, there's a free hi-fi upgrade waiting for you. We call it patience. Trust us on this: The dynamic, filigree-detailed signal going through your audio system and into your brain is a much more complex system than a car grille smacking into your rib cage.