Blowing woofers: part two
March 20, 2006
One other secret for not blowing your woofers by using an
equalizer is the order in which you turn on your components. Make sure you follow the
golden rule of powering on your system: turn your amplifier on last, and off first. This
will help you avoid turn-on and turn-off thumps can send damaging low-frequency signals
into your loudspeakers. Using an equalizer while the system is playing can also be
harmful. Remember to use equalizers judiciously and only make small adjustments at a time.
Boosting the bass frequencies while bass-heavy music is playing, for example, may damage
woofer drivers. If your speakers aren’t capable of producing enough bass for your
taste, an equalizer won’t change that. Getting a subwoofer is the answer to that
dilemma.
Jeff Fritz
Blowing woofers
March 17, 2006
I’ve blown two woofers in my speakers, a pair of
Cerwin Vega D-3s. My stereo consists of a Yamaha amp, a Crown equalizer, and a Sony DVD
player. I really am not listening all that loud, so what could be the problem?
Eric Taylor
The woofers in your Cerwin Vegas are pretty rugged
drivers, so I too am surprised you are blowing them. I’d say the culprit, though, is
your Crown equalizer. I suspect you have the bass frequencies boosted, which would pump
lots of power into those woofers at low frequencies. When you use an equalizer,
specifically when you boost a frequency, you are increasing the power delivery at that
specific frequency band. The drivers in your speakers have to absorb that power increase,
and many times they simply are overloaded by it. That’s why equalizers must be used
very judiciously, and more for cutting a peak in the frequency response than bringing up a
valley. In other words, don’t boost the bass response too much. Instead, bring down
any peaks you have in the midrange and treble. It’ll be much easier on your speakers
and amplifier, and hopefully you’ll stop blowing those woofers.
Multiple subwoofers a good idea?
March 13, 2006
I have $1000 to spend on a subwoofer for my home theater.
Would I be better off spending $500 each on two subwoofers or the whole budget on one
better subwoofer?
Walter
I would buy the best subwoofer you can and not split the
budget into two. A sub-$500 subwoofer can be good, but will still be compromised in some
way compared to subwoofers in the $750-$1000 range. By spending a bit more on a single
subwoofer you might also gain a better control flexibility, more rugged build quality, and
perhaps even a better finish. The only area that two subs might make sense is in a really
large room where absolute output capability is the most important factor. And since most
sub-$500 subwoofers will not be able to play as low in frequency as a larger, more
powerful subwoofer, that increased output will likely only be noticed above 25Hz or so.
Spending $1000 will get you lower bass and better bass. Bottom line: Go for one, better
subwoofer with your budget. I think you’ll be happier in the long run.
|
