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Can a digital EQ damage speakers ?

1726 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Clmrt, Dec 16, 2005

figo12

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2005

Hi, I am using the Athena Point 5 speaker package (4 inch speakers) with a Yamaha receiver, the bass info. sent to the speakers is set to 80hz using the large setting ( recommended by Athena ).

I hear music through my computerÂ´s digital sound output, the sound card (Creative Audigy ), has different kinds of settings to hear music (EQ), my question is:

Can I damage the speakers if I use the sound cardÂ´s different sound settings ?

Most of the settings increase overall volume, bass and treble signals, measured in decibels (DB). In some songs, bass sounds very strong, so I would like to know if its safe to use the EQ ?

Thanks!!

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Clmrt

· #2 · Dec 16, 2005

If you overdrive an amp, it is said to "clip" the waveform of the audio signal. When that happens, the clipped signal is sent to the speaker and if high in level, bad things will happen.

EQ'ing will demand more power from the amp, and if it cannot supply it, you will risk your speakers. Better to have more power than necessary. A speaker can absorb large amounts of clean power, so figure roughly what you need -

90db sensitive speakers need 1 watt to acheive this. EQ +3db and you double the demand at that frequency. Also, it's said that having 10db (10x power) of headroom makes for the best case in audio reproduction....

Anyway, just have fun and listen for signs of stress. If using EQ (loudness function is EQ) be careful at LOUD levels, or have a supply of replacement tweeters on hand.

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figo12

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 16, 2005

Clmrt: Thanks for your help.

The speakers can handle up to 100W RMS. My Yamaha receiver sends 90W RMS, per channel.

Is this setup ok ?

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DonoMan

· #4 · Dec 16, 2005

Most likely fine... Just keep in mind not to bring it to max volume or anything crazy like that. If you give even 70W in bass to a 100W speaker, you'll probably blow the woofer since that 100W is split over all of the drivers in the speaker..

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whoaru99

· #5 · Dec 16, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by figo12
Clmrt: Thanks for your help.

The speakers can handle up to 100W RMS. My Yamaha receiver sends 90W RMS, per channel.

Is this setup ok ?

That's not really a yes or no question because it depends on how it's operated. If you operate the receiver within it's limits, then yes, should be no problems. However, if you operate the receiver such that it goes into clipping, then it would be possible to damage your speakers.

The bottom line is if the music starts to sound bad, i.e., sound is "flat" like in no dynamic range, and or hard/harsh, it may be that you are at the limits of the receiver and need to turn it down a notch or two. Likewise, if you hear strange noises coming from the speakers that are not part of the music, that also means turn it down.

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whoaru99

· #6 · Dec 16, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by figo12
Clmrt: Thanks for your help.

The speakers can handle up to 100W RMS. My Yamaha receiver sends 90W RMS, per channel.

Is this setup ok ?

That's not really a yes or no question because it depends on how it's operated. If you operate the receiver within it's limits, then yes, should be no problems. However, if you operate the receiver such that it goes into clipping, then it would be possible to damage your speakers.

The bottom line is if the music starts to bad, i.e., sound is "flat" like in no dynamic range, and or hard/harsh, it may be that you are at the limits of the receiver and need to turn it down a notch or two. Likewise, if you hear strange noises coming from the speakers that are not part of the music, that also as a general rule means turn it down

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Clmrt

· #7 · Dec 16, 2005

...and you don't know what max volume actually IS by the position of the volume control. Max is specified by how much distortion is deemed acceptable. Add EQ and distortion comes into the picture earlier for an amp of the same power rating vs. an uneq'd system.

Those little subs with 3000 watts of amp power have that power to overcome the equalization used to extend the bass in the small enclosure.

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