Break in time for speakers?

Question

I just bought a surround package containing energy speakers and a yamaha receiver. I don't know the specific model b/c I threw out the box. The day I bought this i hooked it all up to my ps3 and 360 and when i was playing rock band, I put on max volume and blew the centre speaker. This is deff. not a cheap system as I payed a bit of 2000 for from futureshop. Is there a break in period for speakers??? If so, how long???

Answer 1

Yes, there is a break in period, but it's subjective and depends on who you ask. I try not to go beyond half way up on the volume control for the first 8 - 10 hours, then not beyond 3/4 for the next 2 - 4 hours (consecutive playing time).

Even more important than how long you "break" them in for is whether or not they're properly connected, setup and adjusted. Never "plug & pray" with audio. Just because the cable fits in the input and it makes noise does not mean it's setup properly. If you invested $2,000 on the equipment it's well worth a couple hundred to have a professional connect and tune it for you. Unless, of course, you know the frequency range of each speaker and how to adjust the individual cross-overs to only filter those frequencies to the correct speakers.  

Answer 2

It sounds like you "clipped" your amp.  It happens when your amp is turned up beyond it's safe operating range.  Your amp sends a distorted signal to your speakers which can damage them.  More often than not, speakers can be damaged by under powering them rather than over powering them.  

Answer 3

Speaker break-in only really affects how they sound. They say it's due to the spiders and other rubber components "breaking in". I did notice a difference with my Klipsch speakers after a day of breaking them in.

I think in your case the wattage output of your receiver probably exceeded the recommended max power handling of the speaker. Even if your receiver was 120wpc it could have dynamic peaks that are higher (ex: 160W) for brief periods. Also your speakers wattage rating might be it's peak capability which means only for brief amounts. Their continuous wattage rating may have been a lot lower than what your receiver was giving them.

Cranking the volume up on a receiver/amp can also cause clipping. Clipping is where the top and bottom of the sine wave (sound signal) get cut off. This has the effect of over powering the speakers. It's hard to explain so I've added a link for reference.