Zane, I don't doubt your answer, but wouldn't both of us be right? JLaine just explained in more detail. The reason I ask this is simply because if the user was not abusing the volume or gain control, their amp would not be clipping, there for if the amp is not clipping, these larger amounts of power would not be sent to the sub. Based on that, you could also say that the user blew the subs. So here is what I believe to be the break down in order. 1. Excessive amounts of power kill the sub (heat, square waves, from the DC voltage) also the woofer does move as much, therefore heat does not dissipate as quickly. 2. Clipping is what causes the amplifier to send DC voltage, square waves, etc. 3. User-toying with the volume control, gains improperly set, or simply trying to get more out of the amp, than it can produce. So in scientific terms, JLaine is the more correct, but in simplistic terms, 2&3 are also correct. I do have to say though, even though I gave JLaine a little bit of a hard time, I did learn some things I didn't know.