Low power amps and speaker damage?


I've always read that low power amps are more likely to damage speakers than high powered ones (provided they're not overdriven).  This normally in threads where a member asks something like:  Will my 200 watt amp damage my speakers rated at 100 watts?

I've driven several 86db, or thereabouts, efficient speakers with just a few watt tubed amps and have never damaged my speakers.

Was I just lucky or is it I didn't push the speakers into loud enough volume for the low watts to damage the drivers?

Thanks, and stay safe.

Mamoru
128x128audiodwebe
Hey,

So the thing is you'll hear the amp clipping long before you really damage them assuming you aren't a wild man.

Yes, if you turn the volume up loud and it distorts and you have enough power you'll blow the tweets before you blow the woofers.

Assuming the sound is good at the volumes you are playing you have very little risk.
A usual rule is 12:00 High. Should be your max, “should”

Every amp is different with gain and so on.
most of my amps, preamps, speakers I’ve owned, usually the 12:00 o’clock high is my max, unless I hit early distortion, and quickly lower the volume!! At most get togethers, by myself, adding some old friends (Powers and Bushmills, etc) our ears and fingers tend to push the volume up a bit more (FIGHT THE TEMPTATION!!!)
Slowly volume up until it’s just good enough, unless you have a concert array of line source speakers hanging from your ceilings,
Go easy on your gear. Nothing worse than waking up and hearing missing midrange from a right speaker, or the crackling from your left tweeter!





There is a small red line on my pre faceplate, which tells me and the wife (stop here) the wife will never go loud anyway, as she don’t know how to use my stereo  ;)
Anyone thinks low power damages speakers try and blow anything with an iPod. Audiophiles. When they aren’t overthinking, they’re over simplifying.