fabric softner on midrange

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=125256
Printed Date: May 13, 2025 at 4:24 AM

Topic: fabric softner on midrange

Posted By: dred
Subject: fabric softner on midrange
Date Posted: December 26, 2010 at 10:51 AM

hey guys have any of you heard about using just a wispp/spray of fabric softener on brand new paper cone midrange speakers to help them break-in? someone told me that it would make them sound more natural sounding and take the harshness encountered with first use.Tell me what you guys think about this thankss.

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dre

Replies:

Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: December 26, 2010 at 1:05 PM

I can promise you that you are looking for trouble. Don't do it.

Paper cones don't like water, a primary component of fabric softener. You run a very real risk of saturating the cone, and as they dry out, they can corrugate or "ripple", causing misalignment of the voice coil in the magnetic gap. Additionally, any additional mass left behind from the application WILL change the mechanical specs of the device, changing it's tuning and/or overall frequency response.

It's SO not worth such a risk to bypass the already thoretical "break-in"... Just let it happen as it's gonna happen, IF it's gonna do so at all.

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: December 26, 2010 at 1:12 PM

I have never heard of such either. If you have heard this, my guess is a jealous friend told you in an effort to make you ruin your speaker.

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: December 29, 2010 at 12:21 PM

Agree with the above completely. If you try it, call me and I will sell you some new midrange drivers to replace the ones you;ve ruined.

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