Do you think these blown speakers are a bad amp, bad speakers, or user error?

[duck911]

I am guessing user error but would love to hear some opinions!

I happened into a decent priced used AVR from a fella at work - a Denon AVR-3805.

I decided to build an economical little HT system to replace a 15 year old setup, and kind of on a whim (and at the urging of my wife who didn't want to spend a bunch of cash) ended up with a Klipsch HD-500 satellite speaker system to go with the receiver.

Long story short, I blew two speakers within the first two weeks, both were hooked up to the left front. The woofer completely went out on one, and fried but was still (kind of) working on the other.

The good news is, Best Buy took everything back. The bad news is, I started looking around, found this site, and now I am in a world of hurt because I have rediscovered my long lost love of good stereo equipment!!

Anyhow, I am worried if I buy some new speakers that there may be something wrong with my AVR and I will blow out a new set again.

The speakers were rated for 100watts and my receiver puts out 140watts x2 @ 8 ohms. I used the speakers in a 5.1 configuration for some TV shows and movies, and also listened to some moderately loud music but didn't really hear any clipping or distortion. I think it's completely reasonable to assume as well that I did not have the receiver set up right. I had the speakers set to "small" but didn't realize there are crossover settings as well that I never tweaked.

So my ignorant question is, is there a chance that something in my receiver is broke? (are there separate electronics for each channel?) Crappy speakers?

Idiot behind the steering wheel?

BTW, looking to pull the trigger on some P362s to replace the Klipsch.

thanks!

--Duck911

 

[highfigh]

I am guessing user error but would love to hear some opinions!

I happened into a decent priced used AVR from a fella at work - a Denon AVR-3805.

I decided to build an economical little HT system to replace a 15 year old setup, and kind of on a whim (and at the urging of my wife who didn't want to spend a bunch of cash) ended up with a Klipsch HD-500 satellite speaker system to go with the receiver.

Long story short, I blew two speakers within the first two weeks, both were hooked up to the left front. The woofer completely went out on one, and fried but was still (kind of) working on the other.

The good news is, Best Buy took everything back. The bad news is, I started looking around, found this site, and now I am in a world of hurt because I have rediscovered my long lost love of good stereo equipment!!

Anyhow, I am worried if I buy some new speakers that there may be something wrong with my AVR and I will blow out a new set again.

The speakers were rated for 100watts and my receiver puts out 140watts x2 @ 8 ohms. I used the speakers in a 5.1 configuration for some TV shows and movies, and also listened to some moderately loud music but didn't really hear any clipping or distortion. I think it's completely reasonable to assume as well that I did not have the receiver set up right. I had the speakers set to "small" but didn't realize there are crossover settings as well that I never tweaked.

So my ignorant question is, is there a chance that something in my receiver is broke? (are there separate electronics for each channel?) Crappy speakers?

Idiot behind the steering wheel?

BTW, looking to pull the trigger on some P362s to replace the Klipsch.

thanks!

--Duck911

If you want to crank the snot out of your system, you'll need real speakers. You could always set the crossover higher (like above 100 Hz), but that will sound like garbage.

 

[AVRat]

Why were they both hooked up to the left channel? If the XO was set too low, it's a good possibility you just blew the snot out of the little 2.5" drivers.

 

[duck911]

Sorry, I probably was not clear.

I blew two left channel speakers, back to back (not at once )

Anyhow, I also did not really "crank the snot" out of the system though it was moderately loud... but it's completely possible that the crossover and other settings were jacked...

Is there a way to test the output to each speaker?

thanks!

 

[TLS Guy]

Sorry, I probably was not clear.

I blew two left channel speakers, back to back (not at once )

Anyhow, I also did not really "crank the snot" out of the system though it was moderately loud... but it's completely possible that the crossover and other settings were jacked...

Is there a way to test the output to each speaker?

thanks!

We had a post not very long ago similar to yours.

Those speakers have to be crossed over at 150 Hz. 100 watts is way over optimistic for 2.5" speakers, by a factor of 10 to 20 times. Those are 5 to 10 watts speakers, if that, and I don't care what fantasy Klipsch want to foster.

I'm sure your receiver is fine, now go and get yourself some proper speakers and not a toy.

 

[duck911]

Those speakers have to be crossed over at 150 Hz. 100 watts is way over optimistic for 2.5" speakers, by a factor of 10 to 20 times. Those are 5 to 10 watts speakers, if that, and I don't care what fantasy Klipsch want to foster.

I'm sure your receiver is fine, now go and get yourself some proper speakers and not a toy.

No need to be rude!

Because I am married with two teenagers and on a budget, I think based on a lot of reading here I will be starting with some Infinity P362's. I believe I will be investigating a DIY subwoofer project as well.

Thanks for the feedback,

--Duck911

 

[TLS Guy]

No need to be rude!

Because I am married with two teenagers and on a budget, I think based on a lot of reading here I will be starting with some Infinity P362's. I believe I will be investigating a DIY subwoofer project as well.

Thanks for the feedback,

--Duck911

A very good decision.