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What causes clipping?

I am trying to understand why my Kinergetics SW-200 subs are clipping so easily. I had a thread in "speakers", but realized this "tech talk" forum might be a more appropriate forum to help me understand what actually causes clipping.

I am mostly using my system for home theatre with a HK AVR300 receiver and pairing the subs with Spica TC-50's. The Kinergetics seem to be easily overwhelmed when "bassy" scenes come up in movies. But, other than when aliens are landing, they don't seem very loud.

The Kinergetics have their own 150W x 2 amp which is fed from the pre-amp out on my HK receiver. The receiver only has a mono pre-amp out, so I am splitting that to the L/R Kinergetic amp inputs.

What I am calling "clipping" is when the subs make a fast, loud, popping noise. A fuse in the Kinergetics sub may also burn out if this goes on for a long time.

1. What causes the clipping? Is it the sub amp being overloaded or is the speaker itself in the sub being overloaded?

2. Would a bigger sub amp solve the problem? If so, any recommendations?

3. Can clipping be caused when the amp can't get enough current to power the speakers? For example, I have the Kinergetics amp plugged into the switched AC outlet on my HK receiver. Can the amp be overloaded as it tries to suck the power it needs through the AC cable maybe causing a dip / spike pulse to the speakers?

4. Does room size or speaker placement have any affect on clipping?

Thanks for the help.
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robotman
robotman OP
35 posts
 
Thanks for the info! This sounds exactly like what's happening to mine.

Do you think my power supply is damaged by now or do I just have faulty filters that fail at high loads?

For that matter, what are power supply filters and how easy can they be replaced? Sounds like a generic part that maybe someone can help me replace without being an audiophile.

Too bad Kinergetics still isn't in business. I feel stuck now.
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unsound
7,328 posts
 
While I suspect the Kinergetics needs to be seen by a tech. In your previous thread you indicated that your room is 15 x 15. I'm guessing that your ceiling is probably 8' high. Ouch, that the largest dimension is only 15' limits bass response. Those dimensions, which include exact duplicates and the third being roughly one half, compound the problem and is most likely going make bass response uneven. The point being that your room, no matter what the gear (with some unique and notable exceptions) is most challanging, and especially with regards to bass. Perhaps you might want to reconsider your expectations?
robotman OP
35 posts
 
I think you are right with the room size, although this problem seems more than just a limited bass response. It seems like a bass malfunction or overload at louder volumes. I'm not sure if speakers overload if the room is too small, do they?!

Definitely will look into a tech to check out the Kinergetics, though. I wish I questioned the problem more when I got the system years ago!

Thanks again for your input!
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eldartford
4,262 posts
 
If both SW are doing the same thing the problem might be the signal they are getting from your receiver.
unsound
7,328 posts
 
Eldartford has a good point. Have you checked the cables and especially the connections?
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