component break in

Everything in the I can ever remember buying usually sounded good enough when I brought it home from a dealer, to know I was happy. Any changes I heard were mostly subtle.
In other words, I knew whether I could keep it or not, at the beginning, or in a few days.

Equipment I've bought without hearing, still gave me an idea what I had to deal with, at the beginning. If it was too questionable, I usually let it go. When I heard that same equipment somewhere else, years later (well broken in), I recognized those same characteristics I didn't like years earlier.

I'm not saying it doesn't need broken in, just be careful if it bothers you that much. A few days should give you a good idea, and time for you (nerves and excitement), and the equipment to settle in. It may not be a keeper, if it still is questionable.

Speakers do need a break in, often you need to play white noise for at least 100 hours to get it started. When dealers talk about break in, turn it back on them with the 'dealer' doing the break in for you before the sale is final.

I did an informal comparison between some new components and broken in ones to see if there was any difference. You can read about it in my article at Dagogo.com entitled, "Doug Schroeder's Audiophile Law #6: Do Not Overemphasize Burn In"

To find it you need to go to the main page, select "The Columns", and "Commentaries" from the drop down menu. I have several Audiophile Law articles there.

(I would put a link to the article here but often when I have the post has disappeared)

If the component utilizes capacitors in it's circuitry; the better the dielectric material(ie: Teflon/polypropylene/polystyrene), the longer the piece will take to, "break-in." Cables also act, to a degree, as capacitors, with regards to the dielectric/"break-in" ratio. This isn't the only dynamic at work, but has a lot to do with the sound of components changing, over time.

I agree with Buconero. You can run pink noise through the speakers for 24 hours, but if it takes more time than that, let the dealer do the work. Tell them you need a little break in time before spending your money. There's no guarantee you'll like the sound even after (getting used to it) break in time. By then, it may be too late to return them.