Hi All,
Here is a discussion about how to avoid damaging speakers. I hope you find it helpful.
UNDERPOWER Your speakers have a recommended power rating as stated in the literature. These figures are only guidelines for matching to your amplifier or receiver. The speakers can actually accept much more peak power than the specification indicates as long as the power (wattage) is undistorted or unclipped. IT IS EASIER TO DAMAGE THE SPEAKER WITH TOO LITTLE POWER RATHER THAN TOO MUCH!
The music that your system plays normally requires very little power to provide a reasonable volume level. The rest of the amplifier power waits in reserve to allow for dynamic peaks in the music the crescendo of an orchestra or the impact of a drum or bass guitar. These types of passages cause the amplifier to put out many times the amount of power it does during the softer sections.
If the amplifier does not have sufficient dynamic power reserves or current capability (the muscle behind the amps power rating) the amplifier can go into a condition called clipping where the power becomes distorted. This clipping distortion is seen by the speaker as heat and can damage the fragile wires in the voice coil sections of the speaker elements. With severe clipping these wires can separate from each other or literally burn and char. If this occurs, the sound will become distorted or you will hear a scraping noise. In some cases a damaged driver will not make any sound at all. If you are concerned about your amplifiers current capability, please contact your dealer for advice.
TOO MUCH BASS speakers have a specific low frequency capability but as with all things they have a limit. Some modern music contains an extreme amount of bass energy (Rap, synthesizer music, etc). These types of music can tax the ability of any loudspeaker if played at a high volume (remember clipping).
The loudness control in your system is designed to compensate for the human ears inefficiency to low frequencies at low volumes. Only use this control when listening at low background volume levels. Never use it high volumes!
Equalizers are like elaborate tone controls. They can boost or cut the signal at a number of points along the bass, midrange or treble sections. If they are used improperly, a large boost in the bass or midrange can easily cause the amplifier to try and put out up to ten times its available clean power. This can cause severe amplifier clipping and quickly damage all connected speakers.
An addition to clipping, too much bass boost can cause the woofer to pump in and out excessively. At high volumes the former (around which the voice coil is wrapped) can slap against the back plate of the magnet assembly. It will be heard as a popping sound. This action can dent or bend the edges of the former, which may cause scraping or can stop it from moving entirely and no sound will come out of that driver.
OTHER METHODS OF ABUSE INCLUDE (but are not limited to):
Turning on the system with the volume set to a high level.
Changing radio stations with the volume set to a high level.
Lowering the needle on to a record with the volume set to a high level.
Forwarding or rewinding tapes with the volume set to a high level.
Plugging or unplugging ANY wires with the power on.
Trying to play a musical instrument or microphone through your system.
Playing video games through your system.
Playing high energy, high volume soundtracks through your system.
Best Regards,
Barry Kohan
Here is a discussion about how to avoid damaging speakers. I hope you find it helpful.
UNDERPOWER Your speakers have a recommended power rating as stated in the literature. These figures are only guidelines for matching to your amplifier or receiver. The speakers can actually accept much more peak power than the specification indicates as long as the power (wattage) is undistorted or unclipped. IT IS EASIER TO DAMAGE THE SPEAKER WITH TOO LITTLE POWER RATHER THAN TOO MUCH!
The music that your system plays normally requires very little power to provide a reasonable volume level. The rest of the amplifier power waits in reserve to allow for dynamic peaks in the music the crescendo of an orchestra or the impact of a drum or bass guitar. These types of passages cause the amplifier to put out many times the amount of power it does during the softer sections.
If the amplifier does not have sufficient dynamic power reserves or current capability (the muscle behind the amps power rating) the amplifier can go into a condition called clipping where the power becomes distorted. This clipping distortion is seen by the speaker as heat and can damage the fragile wires in the voice coil sections of the speaker elements. With severe clipping these wires can separate from each other or literally burn and char. If this occurs, the sound will become distorted or you will hear a scraping noise. In some cases a damaged driver will not make any sound at all. If you are concerned about your amplifiers current capability, please contact your dealer for advice.
TOO MUCH BASS speakers have a specific low frequency capability but as with all things they have a limit. Some modern music contains an extreme amount of bass energy (Rap, synthesizer music, etc). These types of music can tax the ability of any loudspeaker if played at a high volume (remember clipping).
The loudness control in your system is designed to compensate for the human ears inefficiency to low frequencies at low volumes. Only use this control when listening at low background volume levels. Never use it high volumes!
Equalizers are like elaborate tone controls. They can boost or cut the signal at a number of points along the bass, midrange or treble sections. If they are used improperly, a large boost in the bass or midrange can easily cause the amplifier to try and put out up to ten times its available clean power. This can cause severe amplifier clipping and quickly damage all connected speakers.
An addition to clipping, too much bass boost can cause the woofer to pump in and out excessively. At high volumes the former (around which the voice coil is wrapped) can slap against the back plate of the magnet assembly. It will be heard as a popping sound. This action can dent or bend the edges of the former, which may cause scraping or can stop it from moving entirely and no sound will come out of that driver.
OTHER METHODS OF ABUSE INCLUDE (but are not limited to):
Turning on the system with the volume set to a high level.
Changing radio stations with the volume set to a high level.
Lowering the needle on to a record with the volume set to a high level.
Forwarding or rewinding tapes with the volume set to a high level.
Plugging or unplugging ANY wires with the power on.
Trying to play a musical instrument or microphone through your system.
Playing video games through your system.
Playing high energy, high volume soundtracks through your system.
Best Regards,
Barry Kohan