Tweeter protection

Hello, I have a few sets of B&W 800 series speakers and I'd like to install an inline fuse to protect my tweeters. My question is; should I go with 125v or 250v 1 amp fuse? Open to suggestions.Thanks

danmar12309-29-2023 12:11pm

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mijostyn Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 8,222 posts 09-29-2023 at 12:56pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @danmar123 Why do you want to do this? How did you come up with the 1 amp rating? As for the voltage it makes no difference in a loudspeaker, but you might as well use the 250 volt fuse. The main issue is the amp rating. I would check with B+W and find out how many watts the tweeter is rated for then you can do the math and come up with a figure.
mijostyn Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 8,222 posts 09-29-2023 at 12:57pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I should also mention that depending on the frequency of the overload the tweeter can wind up protecting the fuse.
danmar123 OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 416 posts 09-29-2023 at 12:58pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Thanks. Will do.
erik_squires Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 15,772 posts 09-29-2023 at 01:46pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete 1 A seems a little low. https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/power-calculator.html Though honestly not sure that anyone would use a tweeter protection circuit anymore. Depends on the rest of the crossover. If the HP filter is low order (i.e. slow rolloff) then it’s more critical, assuming you aren’t trying to overpower the speakers or overdrive the amplifier to begin with. AFAIK, a lot of the cylindrical fuses do both 120 and 250V, the important part is the current in this case, as the voltage from one side of the fuse to the other is nearly identical. That is, you wont’ have 120V across it, and frankly 120V is already overkill, so make yourself happy. 120V across an 8 Ohm tweet is about 1800 Watts. :D
erik_squires Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 15,772 posts 09-29-2023 at 02:00pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Also, depending on the exact model, you may find yourself better off with a complete crossover replacement. Troels Gravesen among others does a great job of re-thinking the originals from a blank sheet of paper and it's a much better idea than part swapping.
knotscott Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 813 posts 09-29-2023 at 02:12pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Unless you’ve had issue with burning up tweeters in the past, I’d recommend against adding a fuse to speakers in a nice sound system...it’s possible to hear the fuse or circuit protection in a very clear setup. Never in my 10 years of having a speaker business did anyone take out a tweeter, so if you have had issues, IMO it’d be better to figure out why, because something’s amiss....playing too loud, tweeters crossed over too low, old crossover parts that have drifted from the original values, etc. Another option is to purchase a replacement diaphragm and keep it on hand in the event a tweeter gets taken out.
carlsbad2 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,379 posts 09-29-2023 at 03:08pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Don't do it. Fuses are never good for sound, especially in the signal path.
danmar123 OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 416 posts 09-29-2023 at 06:01pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Thank you Gents. I just went for $500.00 plus for 4 new diaphragms. It must be that when I recalibrate my AVR, it's set to high.
boomerbillone Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 328 posts 10-01-2023 at 07:11am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Hello Danmart! Use a 20 mfd capacitor; nothing less than a Mundorf KRP. You will be protected from DC and low frequency damage (like when a cable breaks or is detached or plugged in while the power amp is runnng) and it will not degrade sound as much as a fuse would. Enjoy the music!
imhififan Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,123 posts 10-01-2023 at 02:20pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The amplifier provides clean power to the tweeter which is the best protection! Tweeters usually get fried from excess energy due to amplifier clipping. It must be that when I recalibrate my AVR, it's set to high. If you're using an AV receiver to power power-hungry B&W 800 Series speakers, set the crossover to "small speaker" and use the subwoofer for LFE to prevent amplifier clipping.

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