Can you run your speakers by playing it low

[HTHOLIC]

I know this question would seem off but I have a situation in which I have 7 svs sbs-01 speakers within 1 or 2 feet away from eachother.

Its kinda like sitting at a computer desk and having speakers all around you.

The trouble is I play it very low, and am worried if I am losing any quality doing so.

I am very worried about under powering my speaker because i am probably using only a few watts (because Im playing it low). My Yamaha receiver can go up to 500 watts in power with 7 speakers.

I have read that speakers can go bad by having it underpowered, I have been using my speakers fine for the last few weeks. Is there a danger that its getting damaged?
I know that 1 watt is 85db at 1 meter for my speakers- the center is 87db.

Another issues is that my cylinder subwoofer thats quite big is stuck at the wall corner and unless I move back away from the rear speakers I dont hear all the bass.

 

[jaxvon]

I know this question would seem off but I have a situation in which I have 7 svs sbs-01 speakers within 1 or 2 feet away from eachother.

Its kinda like sitting at a computer desk and having speakers all around you.

The trouble is I play it very low, and am worried if I am losing any quality doing so.

I am very worried about under powering my speaker because i am probably using only a few watts (because Im playing it low). My Yamaha receiver can go up to 500 watts in power with 7 speakers.

I have read that speakers can go bad by having it underpowered, I have been using my speakers fine for the last few weeks. Is there a danger that its getting damaged?
I know that 1 watt is 85db at 1 meter for my speakers- the center is 87db.

Another issues is that my cylinder subwoofer thats quite big is stuck at the wall corner and unless I move back away from the rear speakers I dont hear all the bass.

Nope, there is no risk. Speakers wear out more the louder you play them, as the majority of the energy that goes into them is converted to heat. The louder they get, the hotter they get, and the more wear you put on all the parts. And as for the subwoofer, place it where it sounds best, which for you, seems to be the corner.

 

[MDS]

I have read that speakers can go bad by having it underpowered, I have been using my speakers fine for the last few weeks. Is there a danger that its getting damaged?

That warning refers to the case of using an under powered amplifier and turning it up near its max to achieve loud levels. An under powered amp driven to its limits will clip and that can damage tweeters. But playing any music at low levels will not hurt the speakers in any way, regardless of whether you have a high or low powered amplifier.

 

[markw]

You can't ruin your speakers by playing them at a very low volume, but...

...I don't think you're doing them justice. Most speakers like being played at a reasonable level before they "bloom" and their natural sound balance emerges. That's not to say that you have to wake the neighbors, but playing them at a "normal" listening level might improve their sound.

 

[Nick250]

All of the above and just play them so they sound the best to you. Sometimes the sub level needs to be nudged up a bit at low levels for some peoples taste. Experiment a bit to find out what suits you best would be my suggestion.

Nick