Amp went poof

I am wondering if any tech types can weigh in on a situation that recently occurred.
While sitting around the other day an obnoxious noise emanated from one of my theater speakers like a death throw.
It was then silent.

I checked the multi channel amp and the light corresponding to the dead speaker was lit.
I took the dead speaker to my local repair shop and explained what had transpired.
The cones are fused and no longer move.
The tech there said it sounded as though a DC burst was sent from the amp and fried the speaker.

I assume this burst is not a good thing and am now wondering if this might occur with the other channels and remaining functioning speakers.

I then contacted the amp manufacturer and told him my story.
He said without looking at the damaged amp module he could not say what happened but could state that it was not a DC burst.

I have never heard of this and wonder if this type of occurance does happen on occasion, it makes home theater a very costly hobby.

I am not saying the brand or model at this point as I am hopeful for a positive resolution to this issue.
Naming names at this point would not be beneficial in negotiating compensation.





I am concerned that this might occur again within the remaining modules.
I suppose the best course would be to not use it until the cause of the meltdown is determined.

Surely this must have been a one in a million occurance though.

can I put I fuse or other type of protection somewhere in the speaker cable to prevent an occurance like this from happening again?

Do you mean measure the speaker at the speaker input terminals?

If not the amp module is already en route to the service center too late to measure anything.

Where and how exactly would l install the fuse?

Why did the protection circuits of the amp not trip???? It has many, none tripped.

I cannot measure the module now as stated. It is in transit.
I will not have this occur ever again and frankly have never heard of this happening, ever.

Please post the fuse photo. thanks!

Although if no answers and solutions to prevent further damage to any other drivers or the amp itself are offered this product will be deleted.

well since you dont want to offer any watts or ratings. I will assume you just added a 400 watt/channel emotiva amp to your 5 watt max radio shack speakers and over drove the one. That being the case, I would recommend replacing all your speakers. that would be a better fit for your amp.

That is not helpful and not appreciated.
Go offer these cheeky unhelpful comments somewhere else please.
Hope that what happened does not happen to you!

I explained why I would not reveal details as of yet.
The issue occurred while viewing TV just on background volume,no strain there.
Even my 5 watt max radio shack speakers could have handled it.

The amp module has finally been repaired and is enroute back to my location. I have had the speaker repaired, luckily parts were still available. I am hopeful the factory that manufactured the amp module will eventually spring for the repairs to the speaker.

They state it could have possibly been their product that failed so spectacularly but unlikely. They suggested maybe a source component caused the failure. I have now had the pre amp tested for anything unusual and have spoken at length with the pre amp manufacturer’s tech department about this issue. It is their conclusion that the failure resides solely within the amplifier which in turn caused the speaker to blow. I have also had conversation with the repair depot that fixed the speaker; they have the same opinion as well.

I then contacted the two other source component companies in my system, Blu ray player and my digital HD cable service both state their products could have in no way caused the issue that occurred to the amp and speaker unless they were connected directly to the amp, which they were not.

My dilemma is do I trust this amplifier enough to put it back in to service? I have not used the amp since the failure took place. I am very hesitant to re instate it after I re install the module. The factory has been unable to provide any assurances that this fault will not occur again to the amp or speakers connected to it or how to prevent such a failure.

The service depot made up some inline fuses for me to add to the positive side of each speaker terminal at the power amp outputs. I am bi wiring but they state only the woofers need this type of fused protection.
Will this fuse system stop another occurrence should it occur?

Should the amp factory not be able to have diagnosed the failure and know what the issue was and how to avoid another occurrence going forward?

Would or will another amp manufacturer fare any better?


I am amazed by this failure and now doubt has caused me to try to avoid a re occurrence at all costs.

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Edited by kiwi2000 - 3/30/13 at 6:45am

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Edited by kiwi2000 - 3/30/13 at 6:45am