Speakers near a gas fireplace

[harvey5560]

Is there an issue with having speakers near a gas firelace. I have a corner gas fireplace where the mantel sticks out about 12 inches from the wall. Is there a problem having speakers right next to the mantel within 1 foot of the glass of the fireplace?

 

[Alexxus]

I don't see why there should be an issue. What kind of issue are you talking about?

 

[mazersteven]

Is there an issue with having speakers near a gas firelace. I have a corner gas fireplace where the mantel sticks out about 12 inches from the wall. Is there a problem having speakers right next to the mantel within 1 foot of the glass of the fireplace?

Depends on what kind of speakers you have. If you have Klipsch, you should put them inside the fireplace.

 

[Johnd]

Heat? You do not want to place your speakers on top of a heat source. It could ruin the finish, start the grill on fire, burn the cones...

That being said, I have a speaker of mine "near" a natural fireplace (which gets far hotter than most gas units) and there is absolutely no problem. It is however, a deep fireplace, I keep the fires "small", and the closest the speaker gets to the surround is about four feet (I have no idea of your definition of "near") .

Bottom line, I would not challenge the proximities of speakers to heat sources...if you value your speakers.

 

[harvey5560]

I have not yet bought speakers but I am considering getting either floor standing or bookshelf speakers. The "issue" I was inquiring about was simply proximity to heat. The distance will be about 1 feet from the glass of the fireplace but not directly in front it would be off to the side.

 

[Johnd]

I have not yet bought speakers but I am considering getting either floor standing or bookshelf speakers. The "issue" I was inquiring about was simply proximity to heat. The distance will be about 1 feet from the glass of the fireplace but not directly in front it would be off to the side.

Less than ideal, but you simply need to get a common thermometer, and check the temperature differential between the middle of the room and the proposed speaker location. I think if it's more than 25'-35' degrees I would steer clear.

 

[markw]

Generally, being close to a heat source can prematurely age speaker components, particularly the surrounds, by drying them out. The same goes for having them in direct sunlight.

It may take some time, but it will eventually do some damage. My JBL L-55's can attest to that.

 

[Johnd]

Good point Markw. Dryness is also a concern for speakers. Obviously heat is dry. Keeping your speakers in a noncontrolled environment, such as say, a third floor attic, in the southern California climate would also be undesirable.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Now that's funny

Depends on what kind of speakers you have. If you have Klipsch, you should put them inside the fireplace.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker temp.

If the location in question is too hot to touch then it is probably too hot for your speakers. Any reasonable distance from the gas insert should be <100 deg F and work fine for the speakers. In my experience, most inserts have a blower so most of the heat is going out into the room and not directly up to the mantel and center channel speakers.