How loud is too loud?

(wakebrdr38) · (wakebrdr38) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 04-16-2007, 3:37 PM

Ok this is definately a newbie question, but im curious... with regards to non pro audio tower speakers, how do i know how hard i can push em before they blow. Ive got 4 4-way sony's (dont hate, its what i could afford at the time, and im actually really pleased with how they sound)bein pushed by a 600watt rms 4 channel amp at 4ohms. i know i got plenty of power goin to them so how do i know what they can do? are there any signs before they blow?

(kmcginty) · (kmcginty) **Join Date: Sep 2005** 04-16-2007, 4:00 PM

I get close to the speakers and look, if they are moving as far as the surround will go, thats a bad sign. (dont stay that close to the speakers at that volume too long). I then go somewhere quiet and turn the volume up until you hear distortion. When you hear distortion, thats too loud. Also, remeber that volume on the deck, because you may be tempted to turn it up higher when you are out in the boat and moving. Just cause you cant hear the distortion doesnt mean its not there. You will also need to be careful with the gain on the amp (i usually set mine around half). One more thing, at high volumes and the speaker sounds like garbage, yuo not only run the risk of ruining your speakers, but frying your amp too. This happens when the amp doesnt have enough power to control the speakers voice coil anymore, but it is trying its hardest.

I may be wrong on some of this, but i have never blown anything and these are my generic running guidelines.

(kmcginty) · (kmcginty) **Join Date: Sep 2005** 04-16-2007, 4:01 PM

Oh yeah, smoke is a bad sign too

(mofreestyle) · (mofreestyle) **Join Date: Jan 2006** 04-16-2007, 4:25 PM

Or the smell of burning electronics. Some might know what I mean. I had a buddy that boat a brand new Moomba last year and whenever we cranked the tower speakers we could smell something burning never found out what it was but it doesn't happen anymore. LOL

(treycleaton) · (treycleaton) **Join Date: Mar 2005** 04-16-2007, 4:58 PM

Or people flipping the bird

(wakebrdr38) · (wakebrdr38) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 04-16-2007, 5:11 PM

cool thanks guys, my gain is set at a lil less than half, i just need to find that spot where it distorts.

(joe_crawley) · (joe_crawley) **Join Date: Jan 2007** 04-16-2007, 5:25 PM

They will distort when you are overdriving them. If you hear distortion you should turn the gain on your amp down so your little cousin (or whoever) can't mess with your head unit and blow your speakers.

(da_moose) · (da_moose) **Join Date: Feb 2004** 04-18-2007, 1:39 PM

WHAT?

(bftskir) · (bftskir) **Join Date: Jan 2004** 04-19-2007, 2:26 PM

huh? can you speak up