How To Break In A Subwoofer? Top Full Guide 2023

Assuming you have a subwoofer that isn’t already broken in, there are a few ways how to break in a subwoofer under this article.

One way is to play music through it at moderate levels for a prolonged period, gradually breaking it in. Another way is to use a subwoofer break-in disc, explicitly designed for breaking in subwoofers, and can be played at high volumes without damaging the subwoofer. Whichever method you choose, breaking in your subwoofer will help it perform at its best.

Why Should You Break In Your Subwoofer?

Breaking in a subwoofer involves playing it at low volumes for some time before gradually increasing the volume to its optimal level. Here are some reasons why you should break in your subwoofer:

Improve Sound Quality

Breaking in a subwoofer can help improve its sound quality. When you start using a new subwoofer, its suspension system is stiff and inflexible. Over time, the suspension system will become more flexible, allowing the subwoofer to produce a smoother, more natural sound.

By breaking in your subwoofer, you’ll help the suspension system loosen up and improve the sound quality of your music and movies.

Extend Lifespan

Breaking in your subwoofer can also help extend its lifespan. When a subwoofer is new, its components are tight and rigid. This can stress the components and cause them to wear out more quickly.

By breaking in your subwoofer, you’ll help the components loosen up and work more efficiently, reducing the wear and tear on the subwoofer over time.

Prevent Damage

Playing a new subwoofer at high volumes right out of the box can cause damage to the subwoofer. The stiff suspension system and tight components may not be able to handle the power of high volume levels, causing distortion or even physical damage to the subwoofer.

By breaking in your subwoofer, you’ll allow it to adjust gradually to the power and avoid potential damage.

Better Performance

By breaking in your subwoofer, you’ll help it reach its optimal performance level. Subwoofers are designed to work at specific frequency ranges, and breaking in the subwoofer allows it to reach its maximum potential within those ranges. This means you’ll get the best possible sound quality and performance from your subwoofer.

How Should You Break in a Subwoofer?

First, we’ll go through how to break in subwoofer faster for a sound system. Following that, we’ll go through several ways for breaking in automobile subwoofers.

When you bring the subwoofer home, do not connect it in and set the volume up to maximum. Even if you do not damage the sub, you will not get the best performance. Instead, take these five steps:

Check the Connections

It’s easy to make a mistake while connecting your new subwoofers in the excitement of receiving your new equipment. For example, 16-gauge speaker wires are appropriate. In addition, speakers must be linked in phases. You also don’t want to short out your amplifier. Your subwoofers will be rendered useless.

Find a Recording to Loop

When looking for anything to break in your subwoofer, search for something with consistent and repeating deep bass. Even if you appreciate Beethoven’s fifth percussive opening, you need something with a deeper and more consistent rhythm. A reggae song is an excellent choice. Just make sure there’s enough bass to make the driver move.

Some folks may advise you to employ “pink noise.” However, since the driver generates bass by displacing energy, you must play the music that forces the driver to work.

Play On Moderate Volume

Play the chosen song at a moderate volume for fifteen or twenty minutes. This helps the driver become used to the amp and start the warm-up process. This allows the resins in suspension to begin the loosening process.

Do a Full Break-In

It’s time to become a bit more vocal. For around two hours, play it at the double the normal volume. If you leave during that period, you will notice that the subs are louder when you return. This is due to the mechanical components, which will be discussed later, being more flexible.

The Final Break-In

Finally, a break-in. A last 10-12 hours of moderate-level play will round up the process. This extra working time might result in an additional 1 to 2 dB boost.

How to Break In a Subwoofer

You’re ready to start the break-in process after your subwoofer is built, put in the right-sized enclosure, and receive adequate power from your amplifier. Begin by listening to strong bass music at a medium or moderate level for two hours every day for a week, or until you’ve achieved 12 hours of gameplay.

After then, gradually increase the volume, but not by too much. Continue the technique every day until your subwoofer’s cone and rubber surround no longer feel rigid.

Once you’ve arrived at this stage, you may turn up the bass and enjoy your new sound system.

As you can see, breaking in a new subwoofer isn’t all that difficult. It’s rather straightforward. While it may take some time that you’d rather spend enjoying your new subwoofer, breaking it in is critical and should not be overlooked. Because without this break-in time, your new subwoofer may not be able to meet your bass output requirements.

How Much Improvement Will I See?

Although no one can guarantee the results of your subwoofer, REL claims that after breaking in its subs, they often measure 4-6 dB more power and an extra half octave range. The 123Toid YouTube channel conducted a test based on their findings. They discovered that breaking in a subwoofer influences the size of the box you need to create.

What It Means to Break in a Subwoofer

Like any other piece of equipment or machinery, subwoofers are made up of moving components, which might be stiff when they are fresh new. Because of this stiffness, the components may struggle to react adequately to the electric current from the amplifier that drives them. This is due to a component known as the spider, which functions as a suspension and enables the cone to move back and forth to make a sound.

As a result, to get the finest possible sound, subwoofers need to be broken in. Consider waking up in the morning and spending some time browsing your phone before getting out of bed. Fortunately, breaking in a subwoofer is only necessary once, after which you won’t have to worry about it again.

After properly placing the subwoofer in your automobile, the breaking-in procedure entails playing it for some time. The biggest advantage is that it helps release the unit’s suspension, improving overall performance and bass output. This will also help your subwoofer last longer.

So, what exactly is the breaking-in procedure? For starters, the breaking-in phase might take several weeks or more. Therefore patience is required. You will notice its performance changing and finally stabilizing throughout this period.

With that said, these are the measures you should take to break into a new subwoofer properly.

Other Common Mistakes People Make When Installing Car Woofers

Wire Issues

It is critical to ensure that the speakers’ polarities match to provide greater sound quality. If the polarity of a speaker is flipped, it will act against its corresponding counterpart. While one speaker is driving out and the other is driving in. Thus they will be working against one other.

Piece of Integration Proper polarity does not just apply to speakers. The integration component, like the line output convertor, must have the proper polarity.

Incorrect speaker wiring. If you’ve verified and the polarity is accurate throughout, another issue might be that the speaker was connected improperly at the manufacturer. Positive and negative terminals are often labeled erroneously. To check that this is not the case, use a polarity test instrument such as the AUTUT Polarity Tester Phasemeter (Amazon).

Phase Issues

Assume your subwoofer is playing in the 20-80 hertz range while other speakers produce noises over 80 hertz. Because the subwoofer and speakers are not in the same area in the automobile, the sound waves will clash. Here are a few possible solutions:

• Invert the polarity. The polarity of the subwoofers and speakers does not have to be the same. Instead, similar speakers must have the same polarity. Reversing the polarity on the subwoofers might sometimes help. Subwoofer phase switching may help to resolve phase difficulties.
• The subwoofer should be moved. Before permanently installing your subwoofer, experiment with its location inside the car.
• Digital Signal Processor (DSP). You may delay the front speakers using a processor (DSP), such as the AudioControl DQDX Digital Signal Processor (Amazon), so that sound from your subwoofers can reach the front of the vehicle. Time alignment is the process of delaying the sound. Because these processors may be costly, try the other two options first.

Subwoofer Enclosure Type and Installation

The kind of enclosure you select for your subwoofer and how it is manufactured and installed may all create phase difficulties. A ported subwoofer box, for example, typically has a superior output for many subs, but not all. Before constructing a subwoofer box, examine the frequency response of the subwoofer.

• Box construction. A poorly sealed box will let in a lot of air. Only air should enter the box via the port. Make sure your cuts are straight and exact while building the box. When putting the box together, have enough caulk on hand to seal all the corners.
• Bracing. If the subwoofers are not properly supported inside the enclosure. A powerful subwoofer’s output will be affected by a box that may be squeezed and deformed.
• Box with a lock. Acoustic energy is lost when a box is not attached to your car.

Bad System Design

For optimal production, your equipment must cooperate. For example, if you have a loud, muscular subwoofer but an average amplifier, your woofers will not produce their maximum output. Your power source and delivery system must also handle the power that your system will demand.

Some relevant posts:

• How To Hide A Subwoofer? Top Full Guide 2023
• How To Connect A Subwoofer To An Old Amplifier? Top Full Guide 2023
• How To Tell If A Subwoofer Is Blown? Top Full Guide 2023

FAQs

How long does the break-in process take for a subwoofer?

The length of the break-in process can vary depending on the subwoofer and the user’s preferences. Typically, the break-in process can take anywhere from 20-100 hours of use.

What kind of audio should I use to break in my subwoofer?

It’s important to use a variety of audio sources when breaking in your subwoofer, including music, movies, or white noise. Avoid extremely low or high frequencies and consider the type of music or audio you plan to use the subwoofer for most frequently.

Can I damage my subwoofer by not breaking it in properly?

Yes, playing a new subwoofer at high volumes right out of the box can cause damage to the subwoofer. The stiff suspension system and tight components may not be able to handle the power of high volume levels, causing distortion or even physical damage to the subwoofer.

How do I know if my subwoofer is fully broken in?

The break-in process is an ongoing process that continues throughout the lifespan of the subwoofer. However, after several hours of use, you should notice an improved sound quality and performance.

Do I need to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the break-in process?

Yes, following the manufacturer’s recommendations for the break-in process is important. Some manufacturers may have specific recommendations for the type of audio to use or the duration of the break-in process. These recommendations can help you get the best possible results from your new audio equipment.

How often should I break in my subwoofer?

The break-in process is not a one-time event but rather an ongoing process that continues throughout the lifespan of the subwoofer. However, it’s important to avoid playing the subwoofer at excessively high volumes for extended periods to avoid potential damage.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned audio enthusiast or a novice, understanding How to Break in Subwoofer is essential in getting the most out of your subwoofer and ensuring its longevity.

Make sure you follow these guidelines to get the perfect sound you desire and enjoy the full potential of your subwoofer! If you have any questions or want to learn more, contact us today, and Hookeaudio would be happy to help.