You just got a new guitar speaker! You’re anxious to get it hooked up and start playing, but you’ve been told that you must first break it in. You start questioning yourself about what a speaker break-in is and how to do it.
Speaker break-in gives new drivers time to “settle in” and reach their optimal performance state.
The best way to break in your speaker is actually to use it. PLAYING IT LOUD is the best way to do this, but you don’t have to damage your hearing in the process. You can also break in your speaker by running an audio signal through it at low volumes for extended periods of time.
Let’s explore what a speaker break-in is, methods of breaking in a speaker, and the benefits of breaking in your speaker. Let’s get started!
What Is Speaker Break-In?
As any musician knows, a guitar speaker is essential to getting the perfect sound. A new speaker will usually sound harsh and tinny, but with some break-in time, it will begin to sound richer and fuller.
Speaker break-in is giving new drivers time to “settle in” and reach their optimal performance state. Breaking in a speaker helps improve its sound quality by “loosening up” the cones and suspension.
The process of breaking in a speaker is fairly simple: you just need to play it for a few hours. But why does this work? Essentially, when you first start using a new speaker, the cone is stiff, and the surround is tight.
As you play music through the speaker, these parts loosen up and become more flexible. This flexibility allows the speaker to move more freely, which results in a fuller, more natural sound.
So if you’re looking to get the best possible sound out of your guitar, make sure to give your speakers a little break-in time.
How To Break In a Guitar Speaker
There’s nothing quite like the experience of playing through a brand-new guitar speaker. The first time you hear that crisp, clean sound coming through your amplifier, it can be truly unforgettable.
Of course, before you can enjoy that moment, you need to break in your new speaker.
Breaking in a speaker is a process that helps to improve its sound quality and longevity. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to do. Simply follow these steps:
- Start by playing some soft, mellow tones. Avoid using any distortion or overdrive for this step.
- Play your guitar at a moderate volume for two hours or more.
- Once the speaker has had a chance to warm up, start cranking up the volume a bit. Again, focus on clean tones.
- Now it’s time to bring in some distortion. Play some power chords or shred some solos at moderate volume levels.
- Increase the volume gradually over time.
- Play at high volume for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Finally, push the speaker to its limits. Turn up the volume and let rip with all your might. Go ahead and use any type of effects you want during this step.
After following these steps, your new speaker should be ready to provide years of enjoyment. So crank up the volume and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
The Benefits of Breaking In a Guitar Speaker
While it may seem like a lot of work, breaking in a new guitar speaker can actually be quite beneficial. Here are just a few of the benefits of breaking in a new guitar speaker:
- The speaker will last longer. This is because breaking in the speaker helps to form a better seal between the cone and the surround. As a result, there is less chance of air leaks, which can cause the speaker to fail prematurely.
- The sound quality will be improved. Breaking in the speaker helps “loosen up” the suspension, resulting in a more open and natural sound. In addition, it helps break in the voice coil, leading to improved frequency response and overall sound quality.
- The speaker will be easier to drive. When a speaker is properly broken in, its impedance will be lower, and its efficiency will be higher. This means that it will be easier for your amplifier to drive the speaker, resulting in better overall performance.
Whether you’re looking for improved sound quality or longer speaker life, breaking in your new guitar speaker is well worth the effort.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. That’s how you break in a new guitar speaker. While it may seem like a lot of work, the benefits are definitely worth the effort. Keep in mind that it’s important to be patient when breaking in a new speaker.
It can take several hours, or even a few days, for the speaker to reach its full potential. Take your time and enjoy the process. After all, there’s nothing quite like the sound of a brand-new speaker!
So go ahead and give your new speaker a little break-in time. Your ears will thank you!
