What to remember if you want to avoid blowing up your speakers
Regardless of the industry that you’re in, whether you’re hosting a large event or a small gathering, the last thing you want is for your speakers to blow out. We supply to customers across a range of industries here at Rubber Box, and want to make sure that whatever event you’re hosting, your speakers remain in good condition. Speakers blowing up could be down to many things, from materials to volume, to not having the appropriate power distribution equipment for them, so here are some quick tips that you might want to keep in mind to prevent them from blowing up.
Speaker quality
Sometimes people will choose their speaker or amp based on their price tag instead of their quality. This is fine for bookshelf speakers, as it’s unlikely that you’re going to need them to reach event-level volumes. However, substituting quality for cost when hosting an event may wind up being detrimental. Cheaper speakers may use weaker materials that are less resilient and lack durability, meaning that they cannot withstand the throttle of the clipping and distortion. Without continual maintenance, these speakers are likely to blow up.
To avoid this, there are two options. The first and most obvious is to invest in speakers or amps of better quality. Whilst it always feels good to get yourself a bargain, paying for better quality is likely to prove worthwhile in the long run, with a reduced need for maintenance and, of course, a reduced chance of them blowing up. If you’re on a tight budget though, you should be fine as long as you ensure you’re keeping in line with the recommendations set out in your speakers manual. That should help to boost their longevity, as the producers will layout the limits of their product. For further protection, connecting them up to a power distribution unit (PDU) can help reduce their chances of giving out on you.
Too much volume
Every set of speakers has a maximum volume, and sometimes it’s easier to breach this limit than you might think. It is understandably tempting to push the volume all the way up when hosting a party or an event, but we would advise against this. Simply put, most speakers aren’t designed to handle their maximum volume for a substantial period, and that will eventually cause them to blow up. This is because, at max volume, the speaker’s receiver is going to overdrive it. Therefore, it’s recommended that you keep the volume at least 5 or 6 decibels below their maximum level – still loud enough for any event you’re hosting, without having to worry about your speakers blowing up.
There are a number of signs that indicate that your speaker’s volume is too high. If you begin to hear any level of distortion in the sound, or any crackling like noises, then we suggest turning the volume down a notch and of course, despite the temptation to try and breach the maximum volume, you will simply be substituting quality for loudness, whilst simultaneously damaging your speakers, so it’s probably not worth it.
Power levels
Too much electrical power can blow up your speakers whilst too little might result in them being starved of power, so finding the right level of power distribution is crucial. If you’re unsure how much power your speakers need for optimum use, be sure to check the manuals and instructions that come with them, as this is likely to provide all the necessary information. Investing in a PDU is also something we would recommend. PDU’s will streamline your power distribution from your main power source to your equipment by filtering the power. This will go a long way in reducing the likelihood of your speakers blowing up.
When considering your next set of speakers, or if you’re looking to take good care of your current ones, simply think of the material, volume, and power. If you can manage these three components effectively, you should be able to prevent the chances of your speakers blowing up, meaning your event or party can run seamlessly and smoothly.
We’ll leave your choice of speakers up to you – but here at Rubber Box, you can count on us to provide a diverse range of power distros and rubber boxes for your event or application. You can get started now on exploring some of our products – like our 32A supply power distros – or if you know what you want already, you can always request a quote now! We’re always happy to provide guidance you might need, so if you’re looking for a quick word of advice just give us a call on 01282 677 910.