Do Audiophiles blow speakers?

I have not blown a speaker in 45 years, but a ARC SP6 blew both of my Linn Isobarik speakers. This was the preamp that would turn off with low voltage and then turn on when it went higher emiting dc which fused both speakers. I will never buy another ARC component as they dismissed any responsibility.

In my early days I have taken out a few tweeters in some Polk SDA speakers. I can only take partial blame as it was common in the 1980's Monitor line of Polk speakers. Then again, the 80's were part of my party days.
I have not blown a speaker since.

Bill

OK, maybe this is a stupid question, but here goes: I own a 250W amp (MF A5)- and speakers that are rated at 300W (VSA VR-4jr's). Thus, I thought, I can turn up the volume as much as I like- even all the way- and my speakers will be able to handle it. So I tried it! I was, well, saddened- but not really surprised- to hear a tremendous POP (like a gun shot) from the left speaker when the volume was at about 7... I immediately turned the volume back down.

Now... my stupid question. 1. Since the amp's max wattage is less than the speakers handling capacity, why can't I turn the volume all the way up? and 2. does this POP mean that I have blown a driver? As far as I can tell the system still sounds fine. Advice would be very welcome!

Shortly after purchasing new alon 5 mk 11's I was listening to a very dynamic LP. I heard the gun shot - like a 30-06 and subsequently the tell tale buzz of a blown woofer. Manufacturer replaced on the house- one time only. My solution was to replace amp and have had no problems since.

mckeown

Cknight

Something called RMS, or average power. When you had the volume at that level, along came a sudden transient, a bass guitar, a drum, whatever, you heard your woofer bottom out against the stops. No harm. Try not to keep doing it however.
Transients can be several times the average level.
If all you played was a pure tone at say 100Hz ( a pure sine wave)...this is the value the speaker manufacturer specs for power handling, not musical signals whose peaks and valleys are far to random.

You have not blown a driver, just your nerves. Turn it down!!

No but some of their speakers really blow!

Nrchy, did you hear about the terrorist that tried to blow up a bus?

Burned his mouth on the exhaust pipe.