blown polk r20

[puck11]

twice i have blown my r20 it was very loud but not distorted at all i later noticed that the speaker setting was on large would that have been why

 

[avaserfi]

Depending on the type of receiver you have most likely not. Generally when a speaker is set to large it means that speaker plays a full range while a small speaker is set to only play a certain range via cross over.

 

[Leprkon]

More often than not, a speaker blows because it isn't getting clean power. A 100 watt speaker could blow from a 50 watt receiver, if the signal is clipping (esp the tweeters). The same speaker might take 125 watts of good signal and still not have any problems. You might look at your source for the problem, rather than the speaker itself.

 

[puck11]

i have a denon 4306 reciever

 

[avaserfi]

Then the speaker size setting is exactly what I told you. Look into what leprkon said that is most likely your issue.

 

[puck11]

what does he mean by source

 

[emorphien]

True the Polk speakers using those tweeters have apparently got a reputation for blowing, but in 4 years I've never seen a problem in a system based on that line of Polk speakers. If you're pushing it too loud without sufficient amplification the clipping could blow the speakers. I don't know your amplifier, but the Polks aren't exactly hard to drive.

what does he mean by source

He likely means your amplification (receiver)

 

[puck11]

the tweeter still works just the woofer blew

 

[avaserfi]

I just looked up the specs on your receiver and your speakers. The receiver is rated for 130w and polk recommends 20-100w per channel so you might be overdriving the speakers if you turn up the music pretty loud.

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/2243.asp
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/r20/

 

[puck11]

thanks the auto setup had them as large would i be better of making them small?

 

[avaserfi]

Read the above posts where I gave the definitions. That WILL NOT help your problem with blown speakers it will only affect the frequency the speakers play.

 

[Hi Ho]

Read the above posts where I gave the definitions. That WILL NOT help your problem with blown speakers it will only affect the frequency the speakers play.

He said the woofer blew. In this case yes, the size setting CAN be a factor. Setting the speaker to "large" causes all low frequency information to be sent to the speaker. Too much low frequency info at too high a volume can easily blow a woofer.

It is always recommended to set all speakers to "small" when using a subwoofer in a home theater. Otherwise you are not taking advantage of the sub and can blow your woofers. Most auto setup systems set speakers to large. I always recommend changing them back to small.

 

[avaserfi]

Ahh I missed that he said the woofer blew. Thanks for catching that one.

 

[puck11]

thank you i had a feeling that was it i will set them to small in manuel eq should i set my crossover at 80-90

 

[AVRat]

The R20s aren’t the best quality wise, so the woofer is more than likely blown because it can’t handle the lower frequency info it’s being provided. An 80 Hz setting should help. The 4306 provides plenty of good, clean power. Sounds like it’s time for a much needed speaker upgrade appropriate to the 4306’s capability.