It’s happened to all of us. We’re listening to our favorite song on full blast, and suddenly the speaker system blows out (quietly or with a loud bang).
We’re left with an expensive paperweight and a lot of frustration. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
I have personally gone through several speaker systems, blowing them out one by one. It wasn’t until recently that I figured out how to prevent this from happening. And now, I’m going to share my knowledge with you so that you can avoid the same fate.
In this article, I will discuss how you can continue listening to your favorite speakers – even at high volume – without blowing them out. Preventing speaker blowouts is not as difficult as you might think.
With a few simple precautions, you can keep your speaker system in good condition for years to come. So, don’t let your speakers become another victim of bad luck – read on for tips on protecting them from blowing out.
Speakers Blowing Out – What Is It & Why It Happens?
Speaker blowouts are, simply put, when your speaker system unexpectedly stops working.
This can happen for a number of reasons, ranging from a blown-out preamp, blown membranes, component breakdown, or simply because of a crack in the diaphragm.
In some cases, speaker blowouts can also be caused by physical damage to the speaker itself. If you dropped your speaker or if it was hit by something, this could potentially damage the internal components and cause a blowout.
A popular indicator that your speaker system has blown out is that it may stop working, or you may experience a drastic decrease in sound quality. In some cases, you may even hear a popping noise or a shrill high coming from the speaker.
If you experience any of these problems, it is important to take action immediately and troubleshoot the issue. Otherwise, you risk damaging your speaker system beyond repair.
Common Causes of Speaker Systems Blowing Out
There are three main reasons why speakers blow out:
- Overheating
- Poor ventilation
- Excessive volume (you’re partner wasn’t kidding when they said to turn it down)
Overheating
This is the most common cause of speaker blowouts. When speaker systems overheat, the internal components can begin to break down.
An overheated speaker directly impacts the sound quality and can cause the speaker to blow out completely.
There are a few different ways that speaker systems can overheat. The most common way is by playing music at high volumes for extended periods. This strains the speaker system, causing it to work harder and resulting in overheating.
Another way speaker systems can overheat is if placed in direct sunlight or in an excessively hot room.
The heat can cause the speaker components to expand, putting stress on the system and eventually leading to a speaker blowout.
It is important to keep your speaker system in a cool, dry environment to prevent overheating. If you notice that your speaker system is starting to overheat, turn it off immediately and allow it to cool down.
Poor Ventilation
Another common cause of speaker blowouts is poor ventilation.
When speaker systems don’t have enough airflow, the components can overheat and break down. This is especially true for speaker systems that are enclosed in a cabinet or bookshelf.
If your speaker system is enclosed, it is important to make sure that there is adequate ventilation. This can be done by adding additional vents or fans to the enclosure.
Excessive Volume
The last common cause of speaker blowouts is excessive volume. As we mentioned before, playing music at high volumes for extended periods can strain the speaker system and eventually lead to a blowout.
It is important to find a balance between enjoying your music and not damaging your speaker system.
If you notice that the sound quality is suffering or the speaker system is starting to overheat, turn down the volume immediately.
How to Prevent Your Speaker System From Blowing Out
Now that we’ve gone over the common causes of speaker blowouts, let’s discuss how you can prevent them.
Ensure Proper Ventilation – Try Not To Place Them on A Bookshelf
The first and most important step is to keep your speaker system in a cool, dry environment. This will help to prevent overheating and prolong the life (and quality) of your speaker system.
The more powerful your speaker system is, the likelier it is to overheat, especially if you listen to rock music or those with a focus on the lows.
Volume
As we mentioned before, playing music at high volumes for extended periods can put a strain on the speaker system and eventually lead to it blowing out.
If you notice that the sound quality is suffering or the speaker system is starting to overheat, turn down the volume immediately.
You should also avoid playing music at high volumes when people around you don’t want to listen. This includes family members, roommates, neighbors, and so on.
Volume was a definitive problem for me when starting out. From not breaking into my speakers properly all the way to listening at very high volumes (especially during parties), there was a lot I had to learn.
Placement
Another way to prevent speaker blowouts is to be mindful of where you place your speaker system. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight or an excessively hot room.
The heat can cause the speaker components to expand, putting stress on the system and eventually leading to a speaker blowout.
It is also important to avoid placing your speaker system near water. This includes pools, hot tubs, and even vases of flowers. Water can damage the speaker system and lead to it blowing out.
Speaker placement is often overlooked, but it’s actually very important, especially if you have expensive speakers. Not only will proper speaker placement save you money in the long run!
Usage
Another way to prevent speaker blowouts is to limit the time you use your speaker system. This is especially true if you have an enclosed speaker system.
Speaker systems used infrequently are less likely to overheat and blow out, but make sure you don’t forget about it! Speakers that collect dust and aren’t used as often may also blow out when used abruptly!
If you’re not using your speaker system, it’s best to turn it off and unplug it from the power source. This will help to prevent any accidental damage.
Taking these steps will help to prevent speaker blowouts and extend the life of your speaker system. Speaker systems are a significant investment, so it’s important to take care of them.
Furthermore, it will ensure that you are getting the best sound quality and experience out of the speakers, as well!
A passion for writing and ongoing research projects gives Catherine an incredibly broad knowledge of all things. She has authored an incredible number of articles and can be found in the wilderness when not attached to technology or listening to podcasts.