B&W 800D break-in time

[Oddiophile]

Hi,

I finally have my pair of 800Ds operational. How long of a break-in time do I need for these?

Thanks in advance.

Jim

[crytklmass]

There tested at B&W before they ship. I think break in time is a myth. No one can seem to give a REAL statement as to why or how much time is needed. Just like buying a new car. Have you seen how they drive them on the lot "loading them on the trucks" I've seen them racing each other. I'm not saying push them super loud, but play at whatever level you want. They have a 5 year warranty for a reason. Just don't abuse them.

[Skyblue]

Hi,

I finally have my pair of 800Ds operational. How long of a break-in time do I need for these?

Thanks in advance.

Jim

I seem to recall that B&W specified they have a 15 hour break in time...

As for whether breakin time is real or not, I have a Ayre QB-9 Dac. It changed its sonic signature a lot the first 50 hours, and only stabilized completely after 300 hours... Maybe its psychosomatic, but it sure seemed real to me.

[Antus]

the capacitor need some time to work their best. the rubber surround need some time to loosen up. i'd say 10 to 50 hours after initial usage will sound better.

the degree of difference is quite small in my experience. there are difference, just not night and day differences.

[hifiguymi]

In my experience it's about 50 to 100 hours before the tweeter really settles in and the bass is not stiff and thin. The biggest changes to happen in the first 15 to 20 hours though.

Eric

[sikoniko]

I've always felt that break-in was more associated to the listener getting used to the sound more than the equipment changing.

[hifiguymi]

There are certainly differing opinions on the topic, but being a dealer I've heard gear that has been broken in and compared them to units that are fresh out of the box. There is a difference in my experience.

With speakers, the drivers suspensions have to loosen up. Bass is typically thiner and much more dry when speakers are new. Tweeters are usually brighter and don't integrate with the midrange as well when new.

With electronics, it can vary from model to model as to what changes take place but they do change.

Eric

[Skyblue]

There are certainly differing opinions on the topic, but being a dealer I've heard gear that has been broken in and compared them to units that are fresh out of the box. There is a difference in my experience.

With speakers, the drivers suspensions have to loosen up. Bass is typically thiner and much more dry when speakers are new. Tweeters are usually brighter and don't integrate with the midrange as well when new.

With electronics, it can vary from model to model as to what changes take place but they do change.

Eric

Being a noob I unforetunately havent had the ooportunity to compare a new to a broken in unit. But obvisouly thats the test.. If there is an audible differnce, then its there.. My ayre sure did change a lot. But whether its my mind or not I wouldn't know..

[emig5m]

I've always felt that break-in was more associated to the listener getting used to the sound more than the equipment changing.

Well I started out with a well broken in demo pair of 683's and wound up taking them back to buy brand new and I could definitely tell the difference. The demo pair sounded better at the time, lol. So I think it is true about break in for speakers.