Need a pair of speakers which won't blow out

[Geosurface]

So I've now had two consecutive pairs of these speakers from Logitech:

Blow out on me and become completely funky... I'm no audio guy and I'm sure anyone reading this knows what speakers become like after something like that happens. They still produce sound but nothing tolerable, garbled and ear-assaulting.

Thing is, I actually very rarely use my PC speakers, typically I'm either using headphones, or pumping my PC sound through my TV's sound bar (TV is set as monitor 3 via a long HDMI to the other side of the room)

Even so, I do like to have the option.

I think the last 4 pair or so that I've had have eventually done this... though these Logitech ones did it faster than most, I believe. I think I'm paying for having gotten some very cheap ones, even though I think Logitech is a pretty solid brand and most of my input devices are from them etc.

These had no subwoofer, and I don't care about subwoofers... in fact it's better that I don't have one. I am not ruling one out... but I don't care about bass, at all, and it is just something likely to bother other people.

I liked these ones because of the flat sides allowing me to heavy duty velcro them to the side of my monitor.

Regardless... I'm looking for advice on some other speakers which won't blow out. Is such a thing even possible?

Prefer some which are only 2, and with no subwoofer.

 

[Ben90]

All speakers are susceptible to "being blown out" although the higher quality stuff you purchase, the risk goes down dramatically, and some forms of "blowing out" get eliminated completely.

A good rule of thumb is that the farther you keep the speaker from running at its limit, the longer it is going to last. While it looks like you are looking for a computer-type-speaker setup, try seeing if you can find a bookshelf speaker. These can generally handle a LOT more power and should last many many years before having problems.

Bass is actually very tough on components. Especially if you don't have a subwoofer with a crossover. If you don't care for bass at all, try setting the 0-80Hz band all the way down with an EQ. Those tiny Logitech speakers will barely be able to replicate those low notes, but it will try its hardest and jack shit up. I'm personally a Basshead, but even I generally turn the bass off unless I know the system can handle it. [I love my DT770s]

 

[Hugh Jass]

I've got these and love them:

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-GigaW.../dp/B001RNOHDU

 

[Geosurface]

Thanks for the replies. I do worry that if I get some which are like $100 they'll just be a more expensive blow out.

I don't even know why these speakers have blown out, I don't use them that loudly... or even that often.

 

[FeuerFrei]

I would keep your software volume settings below 64% of max. The higher the input signal to the speakers, the greater the likelihood of clipping>distortion>blowing.

Crank the speakers' volume knob instead.

As far as tiny speaker recommendations go, I got nothing.

 

[Ben90]

Thanks for the replies. I do worry that if I get some which are like $100 they'll just be a more expensive blow out.

I don't even know why these speakers have blown out, I don't use them that loudly... or even that often.

It's possible some of the connections have gotten messed up on the inside and the speaker hasn't actually blown. If your bored and have some old school equipment you can try hooking the speaker up manually and seeing how it does. Keep in mind, everything is going to be a lot quieter in free air (without a box) so you have to take that into account if you test.

Other than that, if you really haven't played it too often, a low quality voice coil could have corroded or something. If your bored, here is a high-end speaker taking more wattage than Logitech's highest 5.1 system. Quality speakers can actually take quite a lot, but it's hard to find in the mass consumer driven PC market.

Your best bet would be browsing the Audiophile forums for best under $100 speakers. There are a lot of deals to be had.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Thanks for the replies. I do worry that if I get some which are like $100 they'll just be a more expensive blow out.

I don't even know why these speakers have blown out, I don't use them that loudly... or even that often.

Well...if you're that paranoid then there's no reason to even buy speakers.

As I said, I have the ones I posted and I've pushed them hard at times and have never had even the slightest worry that they were going to "blow out".

 

[tential]

This is due to you playing your speakers too loudly. TURN IT DOWN. Either that, or buy more powerful speakers.

I have a home theater system. I blew my speakers out TWICE. Granted, my room is called a "Club" at school, and multiple times the next day, none of us could talk from screaming too loud to hear each other. My solution to blowing my speakers?

I bought an amplifier. Puts out 300 watts a speaker RMS.

If you are buying small speakers with no subwoofer and playing them loudly, expect them to break. It's only a matter of time. I've seen a TON of people blow small speakers like that out because they were trying to play music as loud as I was, or trying to play music because they wanted to hear something other than my music. You get what you pay for USUALLY audio wise.

 

[bononos]

Thanks for the replies. I do worry that if I get some which are like $100 they'll just be a more expensive blow out.

I don't even know why these speakers have blown out, I don't use them that loudly... or even that often.

It might be worth checking out Ben's suggestion since you've got 4 'blown' speaker sets. Then again your OP pic looks like a very low end model that is not going to last long when played at high volume.

 

[Chipfiref]

Speakers are analog devices of course. So they take an AC signal. What can happen though is that DC can come through the connection and blow the speaker. So some home theater type amps for example have a capacitor to block any DC to the speaker.

You are very likely getting DC to your speakers, hence you keep blowing them. And you may just blow more expensive speakers. You can test this with a decent multimeter.

One way you can get DC other than an error in the circuit, it to overdrive your amp itself, i.e. turning up the volume too high for the amp, in this case your motherboard component or a sound card. This is called clipping and causes a DC offset which will damage those speakers.

More efficient speakers will output better at lower volumes...but you need to figure out if DC is coming through even at low volumes.

 

[C1]

Yes, over-driving small amplifiers with unsophisticated circuitry is notorious for damaging speakers (ie, damaged speaker coils due to amp signal clipping that results in dc current production).

A possible work around (to attain the desired sound level) is to use physically larger speaker set, but which also have their own built in amplifier.

Typical: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836116044

Oh ya, since your originals are no good, pull them apart and inspect to determine what is going on. Examine one of the speaker coils to see if it is discolored due to heating.

 

[Geosurface]

Thanks again for all the feedback, folks, but I just wanted to reiterate something:

I don't use any speakers loudly.

I'm not a music person, at all. When I do listen to music, or anything else... I don't tend to have the volume high at all.

I think it's either this DC thing being mentioned, or maybe just that sometimes I have to have the volume at a certain level to correspond to my headphones, but then when I first switch over to speakers that turns out to have been louder than it needs to be for the speakers, and then I quickly turn it down. I guess even a second or two of too-loud noise coming through could be enough to ruin them, eh? But I just wanted to be clear, my speakers haven't even gotten much use at all... and certainly not consistent, prolonged use at loud volumes.

 

[raildogg]

Check out these speakers. I have them and I like them quite a bit. Small in size, look very good (to me anyway), provide high quality and clear sound. They do come with a subwoofer though.

http://www.amazon.com/Genius-SW-G2-1...enius+speakers

 

[crashtech]

I have had good luck searching for used components of obsolete high-end home theater systems. Since most of us don't use a CRT anymore, shielding is no longer a big concern. Although they will have a bigger footprint than regular craptastic stuff you will find for the PC, you'll be amazed at their performance. Regrettably, you'll also need an amplifier to drive them, but once you switch, if you care about sound at all there is no going back.

Atlantic Technology speakers:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Atlant...56?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item48582a17ec

Akai amp:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-AKA...48?pt=US_Stereo_Receivers&hash=item2580c49594

$60 bucks or so gets you sound that will blow away anything that is sold for PC use. Much smaller amps can be found, but many of them require some DIY skill. There are some that can mount under a desk, etc.

 

[Geosurface]

I ended up just going to Best Buy to see what they had, and walked out with these:

Bose Companion 2 Series

They seem good so far, and I got the 2 year replacement plan in case they blow out.

Thanks again for all the advice, everyone.

 

[Flail09]

So I've now had two consecutive pairs of these speakers from Logitech:

Blow out on me and become completely funky... I'm no audio guy and I'm sure anyone reading this knows what speakers become like after something like that happens. They still produce sound but nothing tolerable, garbled and ear-assaulting.

Thing is, I actually very rarely use my PC speakers, typically I'm either using headphones, or pumping my PC sound through my TV's sound bar (TV is set as monitor 3 via a long HDMI to the other side of the room)

Even so, I do like to have the option.

I think the last 4 pair or so that I've had have eventually done this... though these Logitech ones did it faster than most, I believe. I think I'm paying for having gotten some very cheap ones, even though I think Logitech is a pretty solid brand and most of my input devices are from them etc.

These had no subwoofer, and I don't care about subwoofers... in fact it's better that I don't have one. I am not ruling one out... but I don't care about bass, at all, and it is just something likely to bother other people.

I liked these ones because of the flat sides allowing me to heavy duty velcro them to the side of my monitor.

Regardless... I'm looking for advice on some other speakers which won't blow out. Is such a thing even possible?

Prefer some which are only 2, and with no subwoofer.

these are incredibly low watt speakers, i've got to keep my computer volume under 70% or i get crunchkins..

mind you i've got the version with the sub :/

its as simple as this, a higher watt system can get louder then a lower watt system while staying clear because of the components in the speakeer being able to tolerate more wattage.

 

[Flail09]

I ended up just going to Best Buy to see what they had, and walked out with these:

Bose Companion 2 Series

They seem good so far, and I got the 2 year replacement plan in case they blow out.

Thanks again for all the advice, everyone.

Good brand for home audio (including pc)

nice choice.

 

[Geosurface]

Good brand for home audio (including pc)

nice choice.

Thanks. How does the wattage on these compare to the previous?

 

[Hugh Jass]

Bose? Seriously?

Did you get some Monster cables as well?

 

[crashtech]

hehe

 

[Puffnstuff]

You know setting them up properly is similar to setting the gains on a car amp and if you clip the speakers on a regular basis you will destroy any brand.

 

[bolinder]

I have heard good things about the Bose that you purchased. Little late on the reply, I know, but I bought the Bowers & Wilkins MM-1. Other than price, no complaints. But I would complain about the price even if they were $50.