The effect of a high watt receiver on low watt speakers? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

***SeanL*** · 04-15-2003, 10:23 PM

A friend of mine just entered the world of Dolby Digital and DTS, with the purchase of a new receiver. Since he just dropped most of his cash on this receiver, he was wanting to borrow some speakers I have that were left over from my very first home theater (speakers from a Magnavox DPL htib).

Anyway, here's the question. His receiver is an 85 watt one, and the speakers that I have are not rated that high. The mains are rated to 45 watts, and the surrounds are only rated to 22 watts. I told him they were not compatible, but he asked me what would happen to them if they did get hooked up. Now, other than potentially damaging the speaker, I'm not really sure what could happen?

I don't mind him using them, even if they do get damaged, but I don't think he really wants them if he knew he'd most likely damage them.

tomdkat · 04-15-2003, 10:32 PM

Maybe if he keeps the volume DOWN real low, he can minimize the amount of damage he can possibly do to them as well as minimize distortion, etc.

Peace...

mrkeeling · 04-16-2003, 12:04 AM

As Tom said.

Receivers/amps rated power is (usually) their MAXIMUM power capability, which they can (theoretically) output at their MAXIMUM volume.
So if your friend is gentle with volume knob, he can use these speakers fairly safe.

***chlngr1970*** · 04-16-2003, 02:16 AM

one thing to remember is that most speakers are blown NOT form overpowering them, but from UNDERPOWERING them. People use an amp rated at 50WPC to drive 100WPC speakers, and turn it all the way up, thinking it won't hurt them. What realy happens is, the amp is constantly dirven to the point of distortion, resulting in blown speakers.

So

To answer your question, as long as there is no distortion, those speakers should be fine.

j

***SeanL*** · 04-16-2003, 06:23 AM

Ok cool...I didn't want it to sound like I was making excuses for not loaning them to him, so I didn't want to tell him something that I wasn't sure of. As it turns out though, he won't be playing them loud as he lives in an apartment and can't crank it up or else he'll get kicked out.

Thanks for the info guys.

craven1972 · 04-16-2003, 08:15 PM

I had something good to add here but I see the rest of you have it covered. I was going to bring up the good point of underpowered receivers have a better chance of blowing speakers, most people don't realise that.

tomdkat · 04-16-2003, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeanL
Ok cool...I didn't want it to sound like I was making excuses for not loaning them to him, so I didn't want to tell him something that I wasn't sure of.

Oh just be honest, we all know you're a stingy bastard!

(j/k)

Peace...

***SeanL*** · 04-18-2003, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tomdkat
Oh just be honest, we all know you're a stingy bastard!

BmB!

brian · 04-18-2003, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeanL
BmB!

Not in public...

(or anywhere else for that matter)

04-15-2003, 10:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
*SeanL* Producer/Admin Got BMG? Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NW Florida	The effect of a high watt receiver on low watt speakers? A friend of mine just entered the world of Dolby Digital and DTS, with the purchase of a new receiver. Since he just dropped most of his cash on this receiver, he was wanting to borrow some speakers I have that were left over from my very first home theater (speakers from a Magnavox DPL htib). Anyway, here's the question. His receiver is an 85 watt one, and the speakers that I have are not rated that high. The mains are rated to 45 watts, and the surrounds are only rated to 22 watts. I told him they were not compatible, but he asked me what would happen to them if they did get hooked up. Now, other than potentially damaging the speaker, I'm not really sure what could happen? I don't mind him using them, even if they do get damaged, but I don't think he really wants them if he knew he'd most likely damage them. __________________ Forum Administrator "You can never go home again, Oatman... but I guess you can shop there."

04-15-2003, 10:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	Maybe if he keeps the volume DOWN real low, he can minimize the amount of damage he can possibly do to them as well as minimize distortion, etc. Peace... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

04-16-2003, 12:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
mrkeeling Actor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 49°15'56"N/123°8'4"W	As Tom said. Receivers/amps rated power is (usually) their MAXIMUM power capability, which they can (theoretically) output at their MAXIMUM volume. So if your friend is gentle with volume knob, he can use these speakers fairly safe. __________________ My DVD, DVD-a and SACD Collection HT:Pioneer Elite DV45A--Outlaw ICBM--Arcam DiVa AVR200--Arcam DiVa P85/3--Arcam Diva P85--Infinity IL30 fronts, C25 centre, OWS-1 surrounds, IL100 sub--Ultralink speaker wire--Outlaw interconnects--Panamax MAX4400 surge suppressor--home made power cables--Pany TH-42PWD8UK

04-16-2003, 02:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	one thing to remember is that most speakers are blown NOT form overpowering them, but from UNDERPOWERING them. People use an amp rated at 50WPC to drive 100WPC speakers, and turn it all the way up, thinking it won't hurt them. What realy happens is, the amp is constantly dirven to the point of distortion, resulting in blown speakers. So To answer your question, as long as there is no distortion, those speakers should be fine. j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

04-16-2003, 06:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
*SeanL* Producer/Admin Got BMG? Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NW Florida	Ok cool...I didn't want it to sound like I was making excuses for not loaning them to him, so I didn't want to tell him something that I wasn't sure of. As it turns out though, he won't be playing them loud as he lives in an apartment and can't crank it up or else he'll get kicked out. Thanks for the info guys. __________________ Forum Administrator "You can never go home again, Oatman... but I guess you can shop there."

04-16-2003, 08:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
craven1972 Actor Join Date: Apr 2003	I had something good to add here but I see the rest of you have it covered. I was going to bring up the good point of underpowered receivers have a better chance of blowing speakers, most people don't realise that. __________________ Craven1972

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