Speaker Thump

rubin
rubin Posts: 565
edited February 2010 in Speakers
I'm sure it's happened to many of us.A good tune comes on and we crank the vol.Then we hear that "popping" sound and we know the bass driver is being over worked.My question is,if you cant see or hear any damage and everything sounds ok,has any damage actually occured?
Post edited by rubin on
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,249
    edited February 2010
    Yes.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • rubin
    rubin Posts: 565
    edited February 2010
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Yes.

    What part(s) could be damaged then if no difference in sound or performance is noticed?
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,249
    edited February 2010
    I apologize for the short answer, I was busy when I read it.

    Ok, let's put it to you like this. The typical speaker has windings, lots of them. This is part of what makes the cone move back and forth, producing sound [cone excursion]. Let's say, for example, that your particular speaker has 400 windings ok?

    When you hear the "pop", you are in effect causing the windings to start to weld together [This is due to overloading the woofer from too much volume - usually caused by an inadequate lack of power that clips the signal]. Your speaker may start out with 400 windings but they will degrade down to [depending on the amount of abuse] 390 windings, 380 windings, 350 windings.....etc..with each pop.

    This is not really noticeable to the untrained ear because it is a gradual effect. The sound slowly degrades to where you can hear nothing but pops [along with severely decreased presence and bass] because the cone has no more windings left. <<< That was an extreme case but unfortunately, it happens. Basically, you don't want to "pop" your speakers...ever.

    So, to answer your question? Yes, "pops" do damage your speakers. The best rule of thumb for you or anybody reading that is wondering would be this.....at the FIRST sign of unwanted volume related artifacts or unwanted noise, turn it down. Otherwise, keep a savings plan up for getting some new speakers.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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