Can a cheap amp damage speakers?

[Shawn]

I got a really cheap $30 120w amp to power my 2 MB-Quart door speakers in my car and I always play them loud. It seems that reciently the sound has become more distorted at higher volumes than it had before. My friend things that the amp is the cause and that it damaged my speakers. Could this be possible or could the amp itself just be no good (meaning the problem will go away w/ a new amp)?

 

[FrustratedUser]

No, unless it has a DC voltage offset.

 

[Shawn]

So the amp is bad?

 

[rubenswm]

Originally posted by: iloveme2
So the amp is bad?

Why not invest in a decent amp like the JBL P80.4 (80x4 or 160x2)
it's only $125 + s/h on Ebay.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: iloveme2
So the amp is bad?

Probably not but if you have a DC voltage across the speaker you might burn the coil and see smoke.

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: iloveme2
So the amp is bad?

Probably not but if you have a DC voltage across the speaker you might burn the coil and see smoke.

I highly highly doubt that. The amp would self destruct before it sent out much DC current, if any at all. The internals of the amp should fail first.

 

[grrl]

If you drive an amp beyond its ratings it can produce voltage spikes that can damage the speakers.

 

[glen]

It is sort of an urban myth that low powered or cheap amps create magic/squaredistorted/ etc.. waves that burn/dislocate/fry/etcc speakers

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: grrl
If you drive an amp beyond its ratings it can produce voltage spikes that can damage the speakers.

voltage spikes, I forgot add that one to the myths section also.
Not that anyone is an idiot to believe it, I have before, but it is just not true. But, wow is it commonly held and widely "known."

 

[Marauder-]

However to measure the quality of your new UBER speakers and UBER powerful amp - you should measure it by the amount of damage you can do to your house!