Low power amps and speaker damage?

It is the "clipping" of an amplifier which may destroy a speaker.  It happens when you overdrive your amplifier (in simplistic terms, this typically means listening to it at very hi volumes).

Regardless of the power of your amplifier, or the power handling capability of your speaker, if you drive your amplifier to clipping levels, then you will definitely have the danger of destroying your speakers.  

In your case, since you have not destroyed your speakers, one of these below applies:

- You have not listened to your amplifier at a volume which has yet caused it to clip.
- You may have clip detection circuit in your amplifier.
- You have been lucky and the crossover network in your speaker has managed to protect them.
- You just have been very lucky.

86dB?  That ain't loud!  (Unless it's coming from your iPod!)

I’ve seen my share of fused voice coils on all manner of drivers, from el cheapo to Wilson Audio, and the culprit is almost always the same...inebriation, ignorance, and raging hormones.  Technically, it’s clipping that does it, as stated very clearly by many above.  But it’s not understanding the consequences of distortion and being dulled to the awareness of it occurring that is the human cause.  Hormones?  That’s when you want your HiFi to perform like a nightclub sound system to impress the dancing crowd.  In the AM...no tweets!

If you’re listening at levels that result in clipping, you should be worried about damaging your ears not your speakers.

J.Chip