Does feedback harm the stereo system?

Question

I was just wondering if stereo feedback does any harm to the speakers themselves. I have a video game (Rock Band) that uses a microphone, and occasionally if someone sits too close to the speakers or puts down the microphone right next to the speaker I get a good amount of feedback. I was just wondering if this does any harm to the speakers?

Answer 1

It certainly can harm your speakers. The reason is that this is "positive" feedback. The louder the noise, the more the microphone hears, resulting in yet louder noise. In the extreme case, your speaker cones can be damaged by very loud and prolonged feedback.

Answer 2

(yes) it will go through your cross-overs and take out a capacitor and possible damage to your speakers voice coil