I've always heard that clipping for speakers is bad and can destroy them if you're not careful.
I've had two sets of JL Audio coaxial speakers blow out on me within the last year (only running on HU amp with a direct connection to the car battery with 10 gauge wire) and would like to avoid dealing with the same problem as replacements are getting expensive.
1). How do you know or determine if a speaker is clipping?
2). Are there any ways to prevent your speakers from blowing out?
I also hear that reducing rattling around the area where your speaker is installed will greatly increase speaker life, using things like Dynamat and custom MDF speaker mounts/brackets, what are your thoughts on this?
you can use a multimeter to check the wattage your speakers are getting.
other than that, try keeping the volume levels down and turn off things like bass boost, treble boost, basically any type of "sound enhancers" if you are experiencing problems.
also try a high pass filter to block out low frequencies your speakers arent supposed to handle
what's the power rating of your HU? maybe they are also being underpowered
If it helps, I don't have rear speakers or subs for that matter.
The HU Amp is rated at 26W RMS/channel, the speakers are rated at 35W RMS
I tried to keep the ratings of the speakers as close to the amp out of my HU as possible to avoid the possibility of blowing them out. But even then, I still had this problem. Maybe it was a JL Audio quality issue.
Would I have to go with a lower powered speaker around the same rating as my HU's amp output?
Will that help matters?
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Last edited by PhatRoyale; 01-17-2008 at 11:48 AM.
Your current setup with a 26W RMS HU, and 35W RMS speakers is pretty well matched. But, if you're regularly cranking the volume too high, that would be your most likely culprit.
I've always heard that a good rule of thumb to avoid clipping is to never turn your volume past 3/4 volume. I've always followed that rule of thumb and have had factory and aftermarket speakers last for many years.
Reducing vibration is a good thing, but not your most likely problem if you blown 2 sets of speakers in a year.
There are no bass settings on the HU, just preset equalizer adjustments.
But the bass and treble are usually set to play rock music so it is a bit louder than the normal flat setting, although not enough to actually distort the music or cause clipping.
Well, I don't know what to tell you. My current setup is a JVC HU that's rated at 20W RMS X 4. I have Boston Acoustic 6.5s in my doors and Boston Acoustics 6X9s in my rear deck. They're all rated at 35W RMS. Haven't had any problems with this setup.
A Rock preset likely boosts bass and treble, but if you never turn it up past half volume, I wouldn't think that would be enough to hurt your speakers.
Is your HU a good name brand unit? Some cheapy HUs might put out more distortion at lower volume levels.
Have you called JL Audio to see if they have any ideas?
My HU's an Alpine unit with the old internal V-Drive amp.
I don't mind shelling out for new speakers, I just need to know what I can do differently this time around to avoid having the same problem.
I'll try calling JL, but I doubt they'll do anything since my speaker's warranty period is over a year and I can't deal with them directly since I'm in Canada.
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Last edited by PhatRoyale; 01-17-2008 at 04:17 PM.
My HU's an Alpine unit with the old internal V-Drive amp.
I don't mind shelling out for new speakers, I just need to know what I can do differently this time around to avoid having the same problem.
I'll try calling JL, but I doubt they'll do anything since my speaker's warranty period is over a year and I can't deal with them directly since I'm in Canada.
Well, nothing shabby about Alpine. Even if JL won't do anything for you, they might be able to help you diagnose the problem.
Another possibility. If you were to shop for your new speakers at Crutchfield.com, they sell JL, so they might be able to give you some advice or if you talk to one of their tech support people they might be able to help you diagnose. I've called and talked to their sales and tech folks on several occasions when I was THINKING about buying something and they've always been very helpful.
Well, mabye somebody else will weigh in here. I'm only aware of two things that will blow a speaker. Over powering them, or sending them a dirty (clipped) signal. You're definitely not overpowering them with 26W RMS. And, I can't imagine that your Alpine would be clipping at 50% volume or less, unless the amp is bad. Is the HU fairly new? Did you install it with the JLs from the start?
Yep, installed from the start, my first set lasted barely 3 months and were replaced under warranty.
The second set lasted a little over 9 months.
I'm starting to think either the culprits are either the speakers themselves or were blown from improper installation.
Probably a stupid question, but are you the only one that drives your car? No chance that someone else is listening at speaker killing volume when you're not around?
I've always heard that clipping for speakers is bad and can destroy them if you're not careful.
I've had two sets of JL Audio coaxial speakers blow out on me within the last year (only running on HU amp with a direct connection to the car battery with 10 gauge wire) and would like to avoid dealing with the same problem as replacements are getting expensive.
1). How do you know or determine if a speaker is clipping?
2). Are there any ways to prevent your speakers from blowing out?
I also hear that reducing rattling around the area where your speaker is installed will greatly increase speaker life, using things like Dynamat and custom MDF speaker mounts/brackets, what are your thoughts on this?
3). How long did your aftermarket speakers last?
Clipping is usually heard as a kind of "harsh" sound in the upper frequencies (much harder to hear at lower frequencies). It causes a substantial increase in high frequency content which is murder on tweeters however mids/woofers could care less if the signal is clipped as long as the increase in power is within the limits of the speaker. Component speaker sets and "higher end" coaxials have external crossovers that usually provide circuitry which protects the tweeters however "typical" coaxials don't have any protection circuit. My guess is the tweeter keeps blowing(?) and if that's the case here are a few solutions:
1. the obvious one of course is don't turn it up to where the headunit clips
2. if thats not loud enough get an amp with enough power to allow the speakers to play at the level you desire without clipping (still needs to be within the limits of the speakers)
3. get speakers with a built in protection circuit
4. build your own protection circuit for the tweeters
BTW, the Polk Mobile Monitor speakers in one of my cars are over 10 years old and playing just fine
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Maybe it was a JL Audio quality issue.
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