Quote:
Originally Posted by PhatRoyale
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?
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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
Almost forgot, I posted some info in the thread below concerning clipping
Just a little info I'd like to pass along..
