Speaker and headphone burn-in (also known as run-in or break-in) is the process of playing purpose designed sounds through new audio equipment for a period to break in its internal components. The goal is to loosen up the materials that make up the drivers—the parts that produce sound—so they can perform at their optimal and intended frequency response.

The flexible components of a speaker or headphone driver, like the cone suspension and spider, are stiff when new. Playing audio through them, typically at a medium volume, helps these parts become more compliant, allowing the driver to move more freely and accurately.