Blog, Speaker Sense, Technically Speaking

Under Powering Can Cause Speaker Damage

Posted on by Cathy
15
Jun
Any speaker can be damaged with too much power. Low Power Can Damage all speakers, but especially High Frequency Units. A loudspeaker system capable of handling 100 watts should have a high frequency unit capable of handling 10 watts. If the high frequency unit is rated at 20 watts there should be a 100% safety factor. Using an lower powered amp can cause distortion which can damage a high frequency driver.To protect your high frequency drivers: 1) do not drive the amplifier into clipping, 2) do not make or break speaker connections while the amplifier is operating, 3) volume controls should be turned down before powering amp, 4) guard against power surges.
Cathy

Cathy grew up in NY, moved to Florida in 1975 and graduated from the University of South Florida, with a degree in broadcasting. She and her husband Glenn started The Speaker Exchange in 1977. (Glenn later moved into Audio/Video sales and installations). In 1979, Cathy went to California for JBL speaker repair training and later received advanced training from Frank Spain, the then head of the Electro-Voice service department. She has continued to advance her audio education through many CES, NAMM, and CEDIA trade show classes.

2 thoughts on “Under Powering Can Cause Speaker Damage”

  1. Lynnie Kruze says:

    Having many years in music, I still find that when I need expert advise on setting myself up for systems that will function right, I can turn to the one place that makes it happen…Speaker Exchange. Thanks for many years of proper guidance… L.K. – Tampa, Fl.

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