Burn In... the Age Old Question, Cables, Components, and Speakers


First, if I choose to burn in my new speaker cables playing only Pink Floyd or something like a Windham Hill Electronic collection, both on CD, will eventually my cables be best suited for those two types of sound? Not that they would not be good for other music, but would they be BEST for the Pink Floyd or Windham Hill sound?

Second, do components need to burn in too, like a new CD player, or even (don't laugh) an Amazon Echo Link?

Third, I'm mostly sure that speakers NEED to burn in because the last time I bought new ones (Focal Arias) I got home, hooked them up and could not wait for the amazing sound that I knew would spring forth, but alas, they sounded like a pair of White Van Speakers and my heart sank into my stomach. Then as I was getting everything set to return them, (about 3 hours later) I returned to the music room and to my amazement I was listening to the best pair of floor standers I have ever heard. Then over a few days time, they were even better. So I kept them, and they are just great. 

So... any comments anyone?
jcolespeedway

Showing 1 response by psybient

I cant explain the scientific reasons behind the burn in on cables. 
I have listened a lot to new cables breaking in.
What usually happen is that first it sounds compressed with lack of deep bass, its also sounds more harsh in the top.
After playing them the bass will extend, the top will get more smooth, and the last things that happen is that the sound open up with a holographic soundstage.
Sometimes it can sound pretty good from the start and sometimes it sounds awful. Some cable gets better and better, and some goes through changes where they can sound good, and then worse to the point i thought something is wrong with the cable. Some cables takes extremely long time to break in, specially high-end interconnects and digital cables.
I have experience that break in took 3 days and some 2 months.
The changes are more profound then simply subjective opinions. Its very much real. If you are willing to go down the rabbit hole, and test as much as I have done you will discover this. I usually dont discuss cables on forums online due to abuse, but if you are interested in this topic I thought this could be of interest.