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Hey guys I have access to a tone generator for a few days and was thinking of making some tracks well suited to breaking in new speakers. Got any ideas which frequencies would be the best? Lots of bass? The tone generator can do sine waves, square waves, triangle waves, and saw tooth waves.

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I just use a filament transformer and a Variac. AC mains is already a 60 hz sine wave (in the US, 50 hz in some other locales). I set the voltage to about 1/4 to 1/3 rated power (using P = V^2/R --> V = sqrt(P/R)). For example, a 30 watt, 8 ohms speaker(1/3 = 10 watts): V = sqrt(10/8) ~= 1.1V RMS.

Definitely keep the speaker *out* of a cabinet to minimize the sound volume, and I highly recommend the garage or front porch (vs. somewhere in the house!).

--mark

(taking a break from moving chores to play devil's advocate)

So, I used to believe that the best way to break in an automobile engine was to take a LONG road trip, keeping the (highway) speed steady. Now, owner's manuals state that it's better to vary the speed, but drive gently for the first 500 or so miles.

Any correlation to the "air motor" world?

Dave

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There's no doubt that actual usage (in the way they were intended) is the best way to break in speakers. Some of us just don't have the time and patience!

--mark

I read in another forum that playing a Joe Pass CD through the speaker for a couple of days breaks it in just right for one guy.....ya never know, it might work

Mark