Death by HF ? (theoretical)

Pbassred · 13th September 2006, 06:01 PM

Theroretically, (meaning; I don't intend to do it)

Just say, you had a 12" speaker with a useable frequency of 80 - 3000Hz rated to 80W. And just say, you drove it at 80W but only with frequencies between 1000-3000hz.

Would its life expectancy be any different to an identical speaker driven with 80-3000hz?

anatech · 13th September 2006, 06:13 PM

Hi Pbassred,
Good question. The voicecoil may actually run hotter as it's not pumping as much air. I imagine the driver may run into mechanical failures more quickly.

-Chris

Pbassred · 13th September 2006, 06:18 PM

and the same question at say 80-200Hz

bigwill · 13th September 2006, 06:22 PM

Well, I suppose power is power, 80w at any frequency will heat up the voice coil, but I guess the larger movements at lower frequencies will help to cool it somewhat..

rdf · 13th September 2006, 06:28 PM

Given the impedance curve typical of a 12" driver, the first case would run higher voltage and lower currents than the second. It's unlilkely in a properly designed and sized-for-the-application driver that the difference will be outside normal operating parameters. bigwill might be on the better track that any differnece will be related to excursion rather than power dissipation.

anatech · 13th September 2006, 06:34 PM

Hi rdf,
I agree. Life issues are normally related to mechanical aspects than electrical ones.

Mechanical failure of the leads would be a normal failure mode. I think at your lower frequency range, the woofer will lead a normal life.

At the higher frequency range given I might expect all kinds of material and glue failures.

-Chris

13th September 2006, 06:01 PM	#1
Pbassred diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N London	Death by HF ? (theoretical) Theroretically, (meaning; I don't intend to do it) Just say, you had a 12" speaker with a useable frequency of 80 - 3000Hz rated to 80W. And just say, you drove it at 80W but only with frequencies between 1000-3000hz. Would its life expectancy be any different to an identical speaker driven with 80-3000hz? __________________ Jeeees! I only asked www.davethebass.com

13th September 2006, 06:18 PM	#3
Pbassred diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N London	and the same question at say 80-200Hz __________________ Jeeees! I only asked www.davethebass.com

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13th September 2006, 06:13 PM	#2
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi Pbassred, Good question. The voicecoil may actually run hotter as it's not pumping as much air. I imagine the driver may run into mechanical failures more quickly. -Chris

13th September 2006, 06:22 PM	#4
bigwill diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK	Well, I suppose power is power, 80w at any frequency will heat up the voice coil, but I guess the larger movements at lower frequencies will help to cool it somewhat..

13th September 2006, 06:28 PM	#5
rdf diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: big smoke	Given the impedance curve typical of a 12" driver, the first case would run higher voltage and lower currents than the second. It's unlilkely in a properly designed and sized-for-the-application driver that the difference will be outside normal operating parameters. bigwill might be on the better track that any differnece will be related to excursion rather than power dissipation.

13th September 2006, 06:34 PM	#6
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi rdf, I agree. Life issues are normally related to mechanical aspects than electrical ones. Mechanical failure of the leads would be a normal failure mode. I think at your lower frequency range, the woofer will lead a normal life. At the higher frequency range given I might expect all kinds of material and glue failures. -Chris

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