How do I prevent speaker blow out?

[spoon805]

I just blew out my Altec Lansing 495 (lasted me 3 years). I was just wondering how I can maintain my next set so that they last longer (besides lowering the volume). Particularly, how do I stop it from popping when I plug it in our unplug it? That happens all the time, and the most recent "pop" blew out my speakers. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Vinny N]

Maybe you should keep it off between plugging/unplugging?

 

[j@cko]

Turn the volume to the lowest level before plug/unplug, try that.

 

[yellowperil]

I noticed this happening with an old pair of speakers I had, whenever I plugged it in there would literally be sparks flying out of the AC jack. Just make sure the speakers are turned off and everything is connected before plugging them in. The newest speakers I've bought don't seem to have this problem.

 

[Vincent]

I have my system and speakers plugged into a UPS and when I shut everything down at night, the speakers pop. They also pop when I turn everything on. I'm suppose this isn't good for the speakers. But it's just not very convenient to turn off the speakers first.

 

[Syborg1211]

Yea, I know the inconvenience of turning off speakers all the time. It kind of gets annoying. This is mainly due to the ACS56's having the power button on the back of the main satelite,

 

[divinemartyr]

The only real way to make sure your speakers are not overabused is to not turn them up past the point of audible distortion. A good rule of thumb is to never turn up your components to more than 75% volume, as pushing it past this, even WITHOUT audible distortion, could be detrimental to the life of your speakers.

As far as a pop blowing your speakers, more than likely something else shorted. Actually blowing a speaker from turn-on seems near impossible, but stranger things have happened. Either way, it was probably a very isolated case and shouldn't happen again.

dm

 

[jamarno]

Sparks are normal when the power is plugged or unplugged, even if the voltage is very low.
The popping sound is caused by voltage on a coupling capacitor that hasn't discharged fully, and this can be eliminated by connecting a 100K resistor from it to ground.

Speaker power ratings are for intermittent power, and the ratings printed on the individual speaker drivers are far lower and far more realistic. But 2 watts is more than enough power for very loud music from closeby speakers, unless the listener has the ears of a very, very old person.

 

[DARRIN]

I don't have the same kind of speaker that you do but mine pop just the same when I plug them in so I just leave mine on all the time. They have been plugged in and on for a couple of years now.