One great thing about speakers is that they are built to serve you for decades. But the lifespan of your speakers depends on how you use and take care of them. Proper use, care, and maintenance can extend the lifespan of your loudspeakers.
But as you use and take care of the speaker system, you must be aware of things that can harm it. Surprisingly, you can’t even suspect some of the damaging elements. Read on to learn things that can damage your speakers, and you can even suspect them.
Playing the Speakers Too Loud
If you have been playing your speakers too loud, I am sorry; I have bad news for you. Playing speakers too loud can harm them. This happens when you play loud music for a long time nonstop. How does this happen? Here I will explain a few things regarding the connection between high volume and speaker damage.
- Heat – When you listen to music with your speakers at any volume level, heat is generated and runs around in the inner parts of the unit. The heat is produced by the movement of the parts and can easily damage the coil in the speaker drivers. If the coils are damaged, your speakers may not perform optimally. Note that playing music at a high volume for a long time generates too much heat, which will consequently damage the speakers.
- Power rating – Speakers come with power ratings measured in wattage. When you increase the volume, you increase the power consumption of the speakers. And that can surpass the power rating of the speakers, which can damage them. To protect your speakers, ensure the power rating is not surpassed when playing music at high volume.
Too Much Bass
To all the bass lovers, don’t look away. Too much bass is harmful to your ears and can damage the speakers. Bass is vibration caused by movements of the cone. These movements produce heat, and you now know what heat can do to your speakers.
When you play music with too much bass, expect the speakers to produce too much heat. This heat can damage your speaker gradually, and one day, you will find that they are blown. To ensure the speakers are not damaged by too much bass, just be moderate.
Bad Connectivity
Bad wiring in the speaker cabinet, cabling of speakers, and from the amp can cause transient and intermittent signals, which can damage the loudspeakers. You should ensure that each cable goes to the right port. If using wireless speakers, you should ensure that they are well connected to the right devices using the right method, whether Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Over or Under Powering
Typically, underpowering won’t damage speakers. But it causes signal disruption leading to sound distortion. But in some cases, it can cause some damage. For instance, when you use a 1000-watt speaker with a 50-watt amp and turn the volume up above halfway, it will cause clipping which can damage the voice coil.
On the other hand, distortion or clipping may happen if you overpower speakers by connecting them to an amplifier producing more electrical energy than the speakers can handle. In rare cases, the speaker can be damaged when you increase the volume to higher levels.
Power Surges
The abrupt surge in power can damage your speakers. This usually happens when you turn on the amp while the volume is too high. Also, if the speakers are connected directly to a power source, a power surge can happen if there is an inconsistent power supply.
Using Speakers Outdoor When Weather Isn’t Friendly
Indoor speakers are supposed to be used inside the house. But sometimes, you can use the speakers outdoors when having a pool party or relaxing. Exposing the speakers to direct sunlight and humid conditions will cause damage. When using the speakers outdoors, ensures you place them in the shade to protect them against sun exposure, rain, and excess humidity.
Dust, Dirt, and Moisture
Did you know that dust and dirt can damage your speakers? Yes, it is true. Dust can infiltrate the wires and connectors to disrupt electric signals running between the audio source and the speakers. Moisture is another damaging element. Water/moisture can infiltrate the cones and even get to the drivers. If not dried on time, it can cause rusting of the coil and other metal parts. Rust can completely damage your speakers if not addressed on time.
Final Words
If you are not careful, your speakers will depreciate fast. And one day, you will find that they are producing distorted sounds or can’t produce any sound anymore. The above information will help you know things that can silently and gradually damage your speaker over time. Consider the information, and you will give your speakers proper care and maintenance. And in return, the speakers will serve you better for decades or even a lifetime.
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