No scientific evidence shows audible break-in changes except minor woofer low-bass compliance

Evidence

Breaking in is the belief that all audio products, electronics, wires and loudspeakers, become more acceptable, more musically proficient, after a period of use (tellingly, it is never the reverse). In spite of opinionated essays from reviewers, many of which echo marketing claims, I am not aware of any scientific evidence of audible performance change in electronics, wires and loudspeakers, except for a minor change in low-bass performance of woofers and subwoofers as the mechanical suspension elements become more compliant during early use. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 86

Categorization

• XREF: Echoes the reader’s interest in causal mechanisms: a physical mechanism (suspension compliance) explains the only real break-in effect.