For the last time, PLEASE: clipping does NOT blow speakers/subwoofers

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

Jenna Jameson

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

Jenna Jameson

true lol

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

I do have one question though as I have never tested this in a controlled environment.

If you clip the shit out of your inputs to the amp, how much does this effect the output assuming output was set without clipping? Will it then clip the outputs as well? Or will it be more likely to clip the outputs?

 

[BEAVER.989 10+ year member]

There is nothing wrong with trying to learn. These days with access to the internet its actually much easier to dispell these so called myths that we all grew up hearing. I think we can all agree there is a good deal of misinformation regarding car audio.

A lot of it is taught right here. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif This is where most of us "learned" that clipping kills speakers.

In all seriousness, I'm glad this thread came about. It's been a little while since I've learned anything that was truly worthwhile.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

so what would blow it?

TOO MUCH POWER.

Driving it to either mechanical or thermal failure...

 

[BEAVER.989 10+ year member]

I do have one question though as I have never tested this in a controlled environment.
If you clip the shit out of your inputs to the amp, how much does this effect the output assuming output was set without clipping? Will it then clip the outputs as well? Or will it be more likely to clip the outputs?

Garbage in, garbage out, I would think.

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

Garbage in, garbage out, I would think.

I would think that as well but I would also think that some amps would be better suited to smooth the voltage so to speak. But I could also be wrong about that. That is what I am trying to find out.

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

TOO MUCH POWER.
Driving it to either mechanical or thermal failure...

so a 100w amp can blow a BTl?

 

[sonic purity 10+ year member]

so if i have a shitty jensen amp pushin a FI BTL the 100 watts will blow it cause of thermal overload?

Dude, that is a horrible example. I could hook the BTL up to a light socket and probably not blow it.

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

if you throw the amp at it, sure.

 

[sonic purity 10+ year member]

Dude, that is a horrible example. I could hook the BTL up to a light socket and probably not blow it.

of course that would be unclipped power:laugh:

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

sure

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

so a 100w amp can blow a BTl?

The cheap Jensen amp you're referring to could NEVER blow a BTL...it's all about putting too much power to the speaker. It's obvious that a 100 watt amp that's pushing 150-200 when clipping the hell out of it is NOT going to blow a sub that's rated for 2-3k.

Now let's say you have the 150 clipped watts going to you tweeter that's only rated to handle 50 watts...that's a case when the speaker would easily be blown.

 

[BIGsherm7272]

so a 100w amp can blow a BTl?

NO.......maybe a 4000 watt amp sending a clipped signal would.....cause that would more than likely breach the thermal handling power of the sub.

 

[DBDesignsElite]

Yes, but thats like saying its not big deal to run your cars engine without water, as long as it doesnt get overheated. Because its the heat that causes the failure, not the lack of water.
I think its pretty well accepted that too much power can cause driver failure. But telling people that clipping can cause failure is just another way of saying clipping can cause more power then expected to the sub.

Also, one thing that you are not taking into account is that with a clipped signal, the voicecoil stays in the position longer then the normal excursion, causing more heat to build up in that section of the coil.

10000% agreeed here.

Heres 1.. During full clip, Direct AC can result from the output wave becoming fully "Squared off" As a result not only will the coil stay in the top and bottom stroke longer, the chances of the coil being pulled left to right will also become a increased risk. Also known as "Coil Rock". This can be damaging as well. Both to the driver and the power source.