Do recones need a break-in period?

**aeyb701** · March 25th, 2010, 06:21 PM

I have a GPA-rebuilt 604c which I find lacks bass, compared to 604-8K's, when mounted in a similar-sized and ported enclosure (actually that of Tannoy Arden's fitted originally to HPD-385's). The spider is quite a bit stiffer, ie the cone harder to move by hand pressure, compared to two un-reconed 604C's.
Is it necessary to break-in a recone, and if so how?
Thanks,
Jon Archibald

**Cal Weldon** · March 26th, 2010, 04:44 PM

Hi Jon,

Yes a recone requires the same break-in as a new driver. Did you get a remag also? The break-in is best done in free air with a tone generator but failing that, you can mount them, wire them out of phase and face them toward one another while you play some bass heavy music for a day or so.

**aeyb701** · March 26th, 2010, 05:16 PM

Thanks for the reply Cal.
GPA did the job so it was remagged for sure. I played it today as I was doing paper work in my office, with the loudness on and the bass boosted a little. Sounds pretty nice in the Tannoy Arden enclosures, about the same size as a 620 cab, and they bolt right in.
I did have to put the gaskets on the rear of the flange though, since I could only surface mount them.
The port is rectangular, about 16 inches across by 3 inches wide and ducted to about 6 inches in depth, making for more acoustic loading than I think a stock 604C calls for. The Tannoy HPD-385 15-inch dual concentric speaker has much springier, ie more compliant suspension so I would guess it needs different port dimensions. Please correct me anyone if my attempt at being technical has bombed!
Jonny A.

**aeyb701** · March 26th, 2010, 05:20 PM

PS Cal, if wiring them out of phase do you mean face the two 604 drivers up real close, like even bolted together? Sounds like it would really get the cone excursion really swinging, in synch but opposite, if you get my meaning. Great idea.

**Todd W. White** · March 26th, 2010, 06:03 PM

Are you guys SERIOUS - mounting them face-to-face?

Come on... ???

**Nipper** · March 26th, 2010, 08:18 PM

I can see none of my speakers were properly broke in....
:snickerpup:

**Panomaniac** · March 26th, 2010, 08:21 PM

Mounting them face to face usually results in a lower SPL in the room. So you can run your annoying break-in tones longer, louder.

That's all.

Blankets work, too.

**Todd W. White** · March 26th, 2010, 09:15 PM

Good Grief!

**Audio_by_Goodwill** · March 26th, 2010, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Todd W. White

Good Grief!

I now have images of Charlie Brown in my head

I think break in for a driver is kind of silly. I can't see the surround or spider needing to wear in. If they do, it can't be much, and in order for it to be a true break in, it would have to break down and then plateau. Otherwise it would just be a steady degrading of the material and sound.

I've seen people test speakers and state that there was no break in period. I've never really paid too much attention if anybody has posted pre and post break-in graphs. If there is a difference, I still don't see any point in breaking the drivers in....... just listen to it. It's not like its going to go from finger nails on a chalk board to beautiful music. It's not going to be that kind of night and day difference.

**Panomaniac** · March 27th, 2010, 08:12 AM

Cone drivers break in, of that I am sure. Fs and Vas will change, and some other parameters. I've measured it, so have many folks I know. I can provide measurements, if you like.

You're right tho that they do kinda plateau. Once they get loosened up, then they don't change a lot after that. It's no big deal. The surround and the spider flex and get more supple, that's all.