Bruce Sokolovic
Fractal Fanatic
Sounds so good through my old Adam AX7 monitors. Translates really well for the stage, too. Couldn’t imagine using headphones. Sounds like work that way.
I can say from experience at least guitar speakers do get better with age.I dabbled in hi-fi stereo for several years (on the lower end of price), but in that world there are people who swear they can "hear" quality speaker cables (some going for $5,000+). One guy at a stereo store told me that the *biggest* improvement in a stereo system can be had by replacing the power cable to the amplifier. And speaker break-in is definitely part of the lore.
To my knowledge there has never been any scientific measurement nor any definitive subjective testing that shows audible effects of cables or speaker break-in or other mythical effects.
Yes, I do think we tend to adapt to the tone (system + speakers + room etc) and effectively normalize to whatever system, although there are certainly differences readily apparent when we switch to something else or A/B.
Regarding guitar tone, I've had days when my guitar tone (Axe or otherwise) sounds joyously magical and other days when the same setup sounds just meh. Subjectivity is also a big part of what we hear and enjoy.
I don't have definitive information on that either way, but I've never seen any evidence that was sufficient to convince me that speaker break-in is real.
Here's what it would take to convince me... a double-blind test with a dozen identical speakers: half of them brand-new, and half of them with 1000 hours of "break-in." And a dozen test subjects. Speakers would be played randomly, multiple times, in identical or near-identical locations in the room. The test subjects would then have to say which speakers were broken in and which ones were brand-new.
Speakers are made to be used, not abused so as long as you are not pushing them to or beyond absolute capacity I don't think you have anything to worry about. Speakers also have a break in time so they definitely improve through useage during that period.
Yeah, but that's reality. Anything on the internet spoken by experts supercedes reality.Adam seems to feel it takes a few days. From the A7 manual:
1 Important Information for set up
After having unpacked your loudspeaker, please allow the system to acclimate to the temperature of the room. Please do not connect the speaker for approximately an hour.
We recommend using high quality cables to guarantee optimal performance. It is important to ensure the speakers stand firmly on a solid ground!
We recommend not to damage the package and to retain it. The original packaging is the best guarantee for safe transportation (see 6., p. 12).
Please note that the loudspeakers will need a few days to achieve optimum sonic performance
I get it. I have an Analysis+ guitar cable that cost around $150. I sat in the music store and auditioned it and A/B'd it side by side with a regular (probably DiMarzio) cable for about an hour. There was a clear difference. Not Earth-shattering, but noticeable. Later (different day) I tried out some of their power cables; I also noticed a difference not only between the two fancy A+ power cables, but between them and a standard power cable.I dabbled in hi-fi stereo for several years (on the lower end of price), but in that world there are people who swear they can "hear" quality speaker cables (some going for $5,000+). One guy at a stereo store told me that the *biggest* improvement in a stereo system can be had by replacing the power cable to the amplifier. And speaker break-in is definitely part of the lore.
To my knowledge there has never been any scientific measurement nor any definitive subjective testing that shows audible effects of cables or speaker break-in or other mythical effects.
Break-in is definitely real with guitar speakers. The surround is stiff when new due to the doping.I can say from experience at least guitar speakers do get better with age.
Same here.... Time to time I think of changing to the newer A7x, but then reason sets it. I find it amazing how good they represent what my rig will sound like on a full PA at a gig.Sounds so good through my old Adam AX7 monitors. Translates really well for the stage, too. Couldn’t imagine using headphones. Sounds like work that way.
Do you think there could be adverse affects on my monitors for the continual jamming through them? Basically am I going to lower the lifespan by alway using them as my main output?
Good quality speakers will outlast you. Enjoy them.Quick question for all of you.
What is your main output - studio monitors, headphones...
Do you think there could be adverse affects on my monitors for the continual jamming through them? Basically am I going to lower the lifespan by alway using them as my main output?
i share this experience. i think most people apply "break-in" as a blanket statement to everything without knowing for sure.Break-in is definitely real with guitar speakers. The surround is stiff when new due to the doping.
I don’t think monitors and hifi speakers exhibit any significant break-in.
In what way?We bought a brand-new 5150 III cabinet. Went to shoot some IRs and they sounded terrible.
I get it. I have an Analysis+ guitar cable that cost around $150. I sat in the music store and auditioned it and A/B'd it side by side with a regular (probably DiMarzio) cable for about an hour. There was a clear difference. Not Earth-shattering, but noticeable. Later (different day) I tried out some of their power cables; I also noticed a difference not only between the two fancy A+ power cables, but between them and a standard power cable.