Running in Speakers

[Zak33]

I didn't think this really would occur.

Dunno why I though that...I know that cars get better with age.

Either way, my Gale Monitor Golds are starting to play properly
GALE GOLDMONITBCH at Richer Sounds - HI-FI Separates, Home Cinema, Speakers, MP3 DVD Portables, Plasma LCD, etc.


Sadly, they're not as muscial as I had hoped, but they do sound bloody superb for films. Which is not what I'd purchased them for, but which they've been used for twice.

Last night, we watched Pan's Labyrinth which sounded superb, and then tonight for Kingdom of Heaven, which, while being a pretty average film, managed to get the heart pumping with some pretty good bass lines in the battles, some excellent atmospheric background noises in city's and dessert winds etc.

It's not what I intended though, not at all. These speakers are not sounding as musical as I'd hoped. I shall give them another few weeks, run them in fully, and then maybe decide on some others more musical speakers.

[unrealrocks]

lol - Running things like that in really isn't to-do with the speakers, much more your ears

[bigblue]

I'd have to disagree I've found it most definitely does make a difference. I don't know why, but there'll probably be someone along in a bit with theories or an explanation. Or someone claiming it's all snake oil. Dunno who'll be first

[kushtibari]

I'll agree with you

I think its just a case of the drive units loosening up - my speakers definitely improved over the first few days. I almost sent them back as they sounded nowt like the ones I'd demoed, but after a bit they sounded great.

[fayraz]

I'll agree with you

I think its just a case of the drive units loosening up - my speakers definitely improved over the first few days. I almost sent them back as they sounded nowt like the ones I'd demoed, but after a bit they sounded great.

I second that, my speakers got better after a couple of workouts.

[Zak33]

I'd like to call in the "saving grace" here.....

/sad geek mode ON

After I'd tried both speakers for about 15 mniutes, I disconnected one and only ran one for about 8 hours of music.

I then whacked a pair of banana plugs on the cables (I normaly dont use them, just use the stripped wire and screw the terminals down really tight)

....and I swapped the speakers over, back and fortth.. It was glaringly obvious. Mind boggling obvious. Not "is it or isn't it....maybe I'm imagining it"

It was "ooh...thats harsh and makes my teeth grate like it did when it was new" and "ohh...that's nice"

Bass response has improved, and treble is far less horrible and I'm now convinced.

Both have now been run for roughly the same time though, as I ran the other for a while mono too.

/geek mode RIGHT OFF

So....there ya go.

[Stoo]

It does make a certain amount of sense, my surround system did something similar too

[Howard]

I'd certainly believe running in speakers exists more than running in other components, that's definitely bollocks, but I couldn't really tell much difference when I bought my speakers, maybe I'm just deaf or they're crap

Best way to "run them in" is to hammer them from the word go, play some music nice and loud, that'll loosen them up


As for those Gales, they're not as "musical" as you'd hoped possibly because they were cheap? I don't mean that rudely. Richer sounds stuff is superb value but Gale, etc are a bit "brand X" nowadays now that I believe RicherSounds effectively own them, along with the companies that make speakers for Accoustic Solutions, Cambridge Audio, TDL etc, not like they used to be 25 years ago Certainly very good entry level kit compared to the plastic rubbish mini systems you can buy from Currys etc

[99Flake]

All speakers will benefit from being run in, normally takes about 48 hours. When I get new kit I just go off to work and leave my hifi on repeat running in so I don't have to wait as long.

Reason is that the rubber surrounds and the drive cones will be stiff and new when you get them out of the box, over time they will become softer and therefore easier for the coil to move around.

Same goes for items such as crossovers, they benefit from a bit of current flow, warms up the components and lowers the resistance allowing for a better connection. Amplifiers/CD players will all benenfit from running in.

And Howard I would agree with your statement about those companies in passing but Cambridge Audio (although owned by Richer Sounds) are not 'cheap' they may be cheaper than Rotel, NAD, etc but you only need to see the reviews of the Azur range to see a cheaper but better product. Hence why I have an Azur 640c. Nothing comes close without spending nigh on £800 and mine was only £250.

[Howard]

Not sure I'd agree with them being better than Rotel and NAD but yes I know the Azur range are very good

[99Flake]

You should have a listen, I have Rotel stuff (very high end) and listened to NAD, Rotel and Arcam CD players (all around £500) and the 640c was the better player, by a long way. More detailed, faster paced better depth and much better stereo separation. There really was no contest, and I had my heart set on the Rotel before then but there was no way I could ignore how good the 640c was. It is stupidly good.

[Funkstar]

Sorry to go a little OT, but do Richer Sounds actually own Gale and Cambridge Audio? Or do they just effectively own them by being a massive outlet for them?

[megah0]

I'd like to call in the "saving grace" here.....

/sad geek mode ON

After I'd tried both speakers for about 15 mniutes, I disconnected one and only ran one for about 8 hours of music.

I then whacked a pair of banana plugs on the cables (I normaly dont use them, just use the stripped wire and screw the terminals down really tight)

....and I swapped the speakers over, back and fortth.. It was glaringly obvious. Mind boggling obvious. Not "is it or isn't it....maybe I'm imagining it"

It was "ooh...thats harsh and makes my teeth grate like it did when it was new" and "ohh...that's nice"

Bass response has improved, and treble is far less horrible and I'm now convinced.

Both have now been run for roughly the same time though, as I ran the other for a while mono too.

/geek mode RIGHT OFF

So....there ya go.

And its doing stuff like this that means you rock.

[Zak33]

And its doing stuff like this that means you rock.

hm.....thanks for your love and support , but most people think I am bonkers.

Howard...I have an Azure 640A and it's the Gale's letting them down. I will flog them I think.... but they get used first.

[Zak33]

Sorry to go a little OT, but do Richer Sounds actually own Gale and Cambridge Audio? Or do they just effectively own them by being a massive outlet for them?

very good question. No idea though....but good question!

[Howard]

Are they that bad? I might be interested in them for music on my PC to run with an ancient Arcam amp if your'e selling them