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Speaker Protection

Hello.

I have Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 Surround Sound system. I know speakers can get damaged when the volume is turned up too loud. Is there a way to know what this limit is without the risk of damaging it?

At the moment I have the master volume from windows to abit lower than the maximum allowed. Is that enough? What about the base in that case?

Technical Specifications

Power:
72 watts total RMS power
- Front : 8 watts RMS per speaker (x2 speakers)
(Measured @ 4 ohms @ 10% THD @ 150Hz to 20kHz, two channels driven)
- Rear : 8 watts RMS per speaker (x2 speakers)
(Measured @ 4 ohms @ 10% THD @ 150Hz to 20kHz, two channels driven)
- Center : 18 watts RMS
(Measured @ 4 ohms @ 10% THD @ 150Hz to 20kHz, one channel driven)
- Subwoofer : 22 watts RMS
(Measured @ 4 ohms @ 10% THD @ 40Hz to 150Hz, one channel driven)
115 Watts Total System Power
Overall Frequency Response: 40Hz to 20kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 80dB

Thanks

Allan Jayne

Re: Speaker Protection

There is no easy way to determine when you are driving your speakers at maximum.

Never turn the volume up so that the sound is noticeably distorted from maxing out the amp. This produces a much higher percentage of higher frequencies compared with real life sounds, and tweeters will blow long before the speaker system rating is reached.

Also you have to be careful when playing music that has a lot of electronic (synthesizer, etc.) content since on average this too has an abundance of higher frequencies.

Video hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/video.htm

MaxL

Re: Speaker Protection

There is a simple and inexpensive solution to avoiding damage to any equipment from over driving, amplifying, etc. If you can hear distortion, turn it down.

Yes, I know, all recorded music is distorted to some degree when played back through any equipment, but you know what I mean. If it sounds fine, or good at one volume and a quarter turn on the knob reveals new audible distortion, something is wrong and the likelihood of damage is increasing. That's when you turn it down. If you can't get it loud enough without distortion, you need to start upgrading gear.

HT: Marantz SR8000, PSB Alpha B fronts, Alpha C center, CSW New Ensemble surrounds, Martin Logan Dynamo Sub, Philips DVD, Sony CRT TV

Stereos include vintage Sony receivers/amps into vintage AR and KEF speakers.