MK Sound K-15 K-7, K-17, K-5 operation manual Speaker Damage & HOW to Avoid IT

K-SERIES SATELLITE SPEAKER

You can do this at the back of both Main speakers, or at the Subwoofer's TO SPEAKERS terminals, but never at both locations. The lead that was on the Positive (+) terminal should be switched to the Negative (—) terminal, and vice versa. When switching speaker wires, take care to protect your amplifier. Make sure that the wires do not touch each other when you are making the switch. As a safety measure, we suggest that you turn the amplifier off before making the switch.

Now listen to the same musical passage as you did earlier, concentrating on the mid-bass region. If you hear less bass, the original connection (or switch position) was correct. If you hear more bass, the new connection (or switch) is correct.

You need to perform this test because when Main speakers are located separate from a Subwoofer, each speaker is at a different distance from your ear. In some cases, the difference will be just enough so that the output from the Subwoofer arrives out of phase with the output of the Satellites. When this happens, that critical mid-bass is actually cancelled. You should re-do this test any time you move your speakers.

8. SPEAKER DAMAGE & HOW TO AVOID IT

An important factor to consider with any loudspeaker system is the potential for speaker damage. Even though your M&K Speakers have extremely high power handling ability (especially for Main speakers), they still can be damaged by relatively low powered amplifiers.

While very few M&K Speakers are actually returned for service, the vast majority of those returned are not for manufacturing defects. Instead, they are returned because they have been over driven, almost always because the amplifier or receiver used was driven into clipping distortion. This damage is considered abuse, and is not necessarily covered under warranty.

This clipping distortion occurs when the demands of the music are greater than the amplifier's available power. It can occur at 20 watts with a small amplifier, or at 200 watts with a large amplifier. When this happens, the amplifier's output waveform (which should look like a smooth arc) is "clipped" off, exhibiting a flat top instead of the arc.

This "clipped" waveform contains multiples of the original amplified frequencies, sometimes at higher levels than the original signal itself. For tweeters, this can be very damaging, as this distortion is well above the audible range (where you are unable to hear it), and where the tweeter is most vulnerable to damage.

When an amplifier "clips", it generates a high level of high frequency energy (much higher than normal program material) which passes through the crossover to the tweeter. This energy can overheat the tweeter in a matter of seconds and destroy it.

Before this happens, the sound becomes harsh and grating, and a break-up is often audible in the bass frequencies. It will become uncomfortable to listen to, especially when compared to a slightly lower volume level. When you are listening at high volume levels, be aware of the onset of clipping distortion, and turn the volume down slightly if the sound takes on the character described above.

When tone controls or equalizers are used to boost frequencies, the problem occurs much more rapidly. Even a small boost of low or high frequencies can easily double the power requirement and lead to amplifier clipping at moderate levels. Therefore, you should use your tone controls judiciously, avoiding extreme boosts of the bass and treble controls, especially when you are listening at high volume levels.

The best way to avoid speaker damage is to use common sense. Use moderate boosts of tone controls or equalizers, at the very most. Listen carefully for any harshness and break-up, especially at high volume levels, and turn down the volume when needed. If you cannot get enough volume, you may need to consider a higher-powered amplifier. If you have any questions about this, please contact M&K, and we will be happy to discuss it with you.

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