Could I be damaging my speakers?

[Justinw303 10+ year member]

I have a Kenwood KDC-MP4028 powering 1 set of Alpine Type S coaxials. I like my music as loud as possible without distortion. My EQ settings on it are as follows:

Bass = -4

Mid = 0

Treb = +6

And I have it high-passed at 180 hertz.

At 30/35 volume, what are the chances I'm clipping the internal amp and possibly damaging the speakers? I listen for distortion almost as much as I listen to the music, so I never let it start sounding shitty or anything, but maybe it's distorting just enough to where I can't hear it, but it's there.

You guys would know. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Click to read more...

 

[Hook Me Up 10+ year member]

DANGGGGG I put my stuff as follows.

Bass +2

Treb +5

Mid 0

and i have on alpine type r 12 2ohm getting 900w rms brother. i liek bass

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

sounds like u have nothing but highs going to those speakers. u should be 100% fine lol

 

[turnstylez18 10+ year member]

i had alpine type s..didnt like them at all...no matter what they'll distort at high volumes..unless u take out bass from it...

 

[Justinw303 10+ year member]

Well even with the bass all the way down and the crossover on, I still get some "midbass," I guess you would call it. But it's not much because of the settings.

I was just wondering at what level the HU's amp will start sending a badly clipped signal to my speakers. 30/35 with no bass sounds alright to me, I never go over that.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

you could always test with a DMM if u want to be absolutely sure

 

[Justinw303 10+ year member]

How would I do that? Test the speaker wire? What voltage number would I be looking for?

I believe the speakers are 4 ohms, and the Kenwood's rated power is 22 watts RMS, so...

9.38 volts?

Not quite sure how to use a DMM with a HU.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

yup just test the speaker wire. and I would set them closer to 15RMS. i highly doubt it will put out a full 22 watts.

watts x impedance = voltage

then sq. root the voltage

so...

15 x 4 = 60

sq. root of 60 = 7.75v

 

[Justinw303 10+ year member]

yup just test the speaker wire.

Crap. I'd have to cut the wire and re-connect it to do that. Pain in the ass... I'm so lazy.

 

[Jdizzle 10+ year member]

test it on the speaker terminal

 

[Justinw303 10+ year member]

Oh... that would be a good idea...

What frequency test tone should I use? Or can I just play music?

 

[Mr. Opportunist 10+ year member]

DANGGGGG I put my stuff as follows.
Bass +2

Treb +5

Mid 0

and i have on alpine type r 12 2ohm getting 900w rms brother. i liek bass

i got my eq on flat and auto eq on whatever it did for highs, 50hz is on 0, sub itself is on -15, any louder you cant hear a **** thing, on 15 it still hurts to //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif i turned it to 0 to show an installer at a local shop he couldnt take it for a min he yelled at me to turn it down lol...