Exactly how does under powering a sub cause damage?

Question

If ANYONE can prove underpowering causes damage, I'd love to hear about it.

Just for my side, I'll prove it can't cause damage.

First you must know that under powering is just too little power. This in no way can harm a speakers as it's no different than having the volume down on a correctly power matched system.

Having the gain (or level control) maxed out and incorrectly set is the ONLY thing that will cause an under powered sub to be damaged. This would cause clipping which is really OVER POWERING, not under powering.

Clipping is asking the amp to push power beyond it's limits for those that don't know.

As always, see my site for more info http://spkrbox1.spaces.live.com Pay especially close attention to the link in the middle of the page.

Your equipment will thank you.

Some more unknown truths:

I can drive speakers with a 100% clipped square wave signal all day long with no problems as long as the thermal and mechanical limits of the speaker are not exceeded.

I can feed a speaker 100% distortion all day long with no damage as long as the thermal and mechanical limits of the speaker are not exceeded.

I can exceed the thermal and/or mechanical limits of a speaker and watch it fail in short order.

These are electrical and physical truths and anything else is a myth.

Another Public Service Announcement

Side note: This is NOT ranting, it's educating.

To report me is to take education away from those who would benefit from it.

I will add these two sites to back up my claim:

http://www.bcae1.com/2ltlpwr.htm

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/scripts/rightnow.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=ZeODIxbj&p_lva=&p_faqid=63&p_created=965346111&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9ncmlkc29ydD0mcF9yb3dfY250PTkmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1kaXN0b3J0aW9uJnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9MyZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMT1_YW55fiZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMj1_YW55fiZwX2NhdF9sdmwxPX5hbnl_JnBfY2F0X2x2bDI9fmFueX4mcF9zb3J0X2J5PWRmbHQmcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=

The later is from Rockford Fosgate and has a lot of good info on the matter - they don't even mention under powering as an issue.

Answer 1

do you just post questions to see just how dumb or smart people are?

Answer 2

All i have to say is that I am with you. It just seems logical that if you underpower something, how would it cause damage to the woofer? Overpowering is different.

Answer 3

FACT: under powering will NOT ruin a sub

FACT: overpowering a sub WILL fry it

FACT: improper enclosures can damage a sub

Everyone needs to understand that misuse of a product can always result in damage, but don't blame the product, or make up a makebelieve myth to support your poor descisions.