What does 'break in' time mean for high-end audio cables?

Question

I am considering upgrading my stereo system's wiring and many of the high-end gold, silver or copper audio speaker or connector cables require a 'break in' period apparently.

Just what is this 'break in' stuff all about? Why is it required and just how am I supposed to break them in? Can the cables be damaged if I don't do it right or at all?

Answer 1

Active electronics can have a break-in period. Passive cables really don't. Break-in applies most to loudspeakers (which have moving parts) and displays (which have light sources).  Boxes like amplifiers and preamps, especially vacuum tube models but to some extent solid state models, will also have a break-in time.

Talk of break-in with passive items like cables is mostly mumbo-jumbo. It is more likely that your ears will break in: psychoacoustically you will get accustomed to the sound of any new component, including cable.

Answer 2

Break in time?  I think your confusing audio stuff with Shoes!   Generally new shoes require a break in period or even new cars, but audio cable?  Haaaa!  That's rediculous, someone is pulling your leg and probably trying to make a fortune off of you by selling you these unnecessary "high-end" cables.

True, you should use audio cables that have good shielding or speaker wire that is decent gauge for the wattage your speakers draw, but you don't have to spend a fortune to achieve this.  IMHO, buying overpriced Monster cable or other hi-end brands will not yield a noticeable difference to the average consumer even the above average consumer.  To truely tell the difference, you would need test equipment like a frequency generator, oscilliscope and spectrum analyzer so that you could visually see the difference.  Your eyes may be able to see the difference, but chances are your ears won't.

Answer 3

On gauge per gauge sound test, yes a heavier cable will sound better than a smaller one. But, not at $30 a foot.  Save your money, by a 12-14 gauge spool of something from Bluejeans or monoprice and get the gold plated banana plugs.  Do it your self and save hundreds of dollars

Answer 4

the break in time is and optimization period.. think of it as warming up before exercises. break in time depends on the manufactures specs and stuff. to break in, just have the system playing for a while at medium volume for a long period of time or just play it normally and itll break in eventually.

Answer 5

It's a total myth.

Wires and cables do not need break in time.  Any company selling expensive wires that tell you they need break in time is lying to you both about this and probably about other things.

Wires DO have a small influence on sound, but special 'windings' in the copper strands, exotic gasses, break in time, etc., are all excuses to get you to pay 5-10 times what the cables really cost.

It's a great success - for the companies bottom line, but anybody who believes this nonsense is pretty much considered a fool.

Other myths we have seen and you may come across:

- Green marking pens to improve the sound of CD's

- Exotic wood or ceramic disks for under a CD player / amp to improve the sound.

- Cable cookers/cryogenic freezing of wires

- Special stands to hold the wires off the ground

- Super secret windings in the wires to "temporially align" the sound.

- Audiophile ear drops

Please ignore all of these and treat anybody who believes in this stuff with suspicion.