Do speaker cables need a burn in period?

Claims that remain controversial among the relevant experts (e.g. I've seen many EEs say why the technical claims made by audiophiles or expensive cable companies are nonsense), and where the explanations are dubious, and the evidence almost purely anecdotal.

Just because somebody made claims you found dubious, does not mean the principal behind it is not true.  I think you should stop attacking cable companies and read a bit more about electrical engineering.  You know like doing something constructive.

@prof
So short answer, no measurements. I’m simply crushed.

So we have to rely on the dreaded anecdotal.

This is fast becoming an audio version of "Groundhogs Day".

I've posted something like this before but it bears repeating:https://phys.org/news/2013-02-human-fourier-uncertainty-principle.html

Here's an prime example of what our ears can do that an instrument can't. A complex signal is sent but it's our ears that differentiate the information. Measurements can't do that on the fly: they have to deconstruct the signal to analyze it.

In that respect, yes, instruments are more exacting than our hearing but our ear/brain relationship can give hoot because they've already heard and deciphered it. That signal can only be measured in a gross manner if put on an equal time footing as our ears.

So it is with cables. We listen, on the fly, analyze instantly, and enjoy.
Or not. It's our ears that are the final arbiter, and it's cables that can limit it.

All the best,
Nonoise

https://phys.org/news/2013-02-human-fourier-uncertainty-principle.html

Like I said, human ears are basically transducers like any other sensors but apparently better.  And a human brain is the most complex machine by far than anything human has made.
Apparently prof don't trust brain but would defer to some ineptitude machine.

Claims that remain controversial among the relevant experts (e.g. I’ve seen many EEs say why the technical claims made by audiophiles or expensive cable companies are nonsense), and where the explanations are dubious, and the evidence almost purely anecdotal.

>>>Two things, professor, claiming that many EEs say technical claims made by audiophiles or cable companies are dubious is not only second hand evidence but it’s also, you guessed it! an Appeal to Authority. What about the many EEs who say the claims are not (rpt not) dubious? You’re just going to ignore those, right? Furthermore, anecdotal evidence is still evidence. It is in fact empirical evidence. Hel-loo! Sorry, professor, care to try again?