I had an old Philips amp with a handy "lift" control. It seemed to be basically a variable loudness function. It wasn't high end kit by any means but worked as a workshop amp.
Currently running a Marantz 2226b from about 1977 with tone, balance, hi filter and loudness controls, that seems to be considered hi-fi.
I'd never had my hi-fi (well medium-fi, a 90s Kenwood amp with 70W a channel) flat out till junior listened to some techno or metal while I was out. On return one speaker had lost its bass. The driver showed 8ohms so he hadn't burned out the coil, I took it back to the shop and got a call not longer after "it's fixed now and sounds fine, the speaker cone had gone beyond its normal range and got stuck".
"It wasn't that loud" protested junior. Compared with band practice (150W guitar amp, 300W bass amp, keyboads and voice through a 400W PA and drum kit - all in a small room) I'm sure it wasn't that loud.
My Dad has a Wharfedale/Lenco setup he bought new in the early 70's. He said he packed it away when I got old enough to climb on stuff and didn't get it out again until my youngest brother could be trusted around it. I argue that he still can't be at 28..
Loudness is so that you can listen to Beatles albums and hear Paul McCartney.
My Naim apparently goes to 100. Had it at 75 last night. Seems one of my 20 year old castles didn't like it (despite them being rated far higher than the amp). Thankfully, the other one had this symptom a few months ago (it disagreed with Leftfield) and it cost the grand total of $45 to fix. Turns out 20 year old glue falls apart eventually.
I do like having a decent sized room at last. I just think after 20 years of being stuck in small spaces my speakers aren't quite so thrilled at the prospect. Hey ho, same guy that fixed it last time also makes his own, and they're rather good. Time for an upgrade, perhaps...
It's actually a lack of power which often knackers drivers. As the amp starts to run out of puff it can't properly control the coil and cone letting it flap and be damaged.
It probably didn't make your glue fail though.
It's actually a lack of power which often knackers drivers. As the amp starts to run out of puff it can't properly control the coil and cone letting it flap and be damaged.
Yeah, I know that. These are buggers to drive. I had an Alpha 9 that could handle them but that in true Arcam fashion for amps of that era gave up the ghost. It was then replaced for a few years by an old Alpha 3 that was previously in the study, but at 35W that really struggled, so if it's not old age and historical abuse from student days, I could probably blame their stint on the A3. But really i think it was the somewhat antisocially loud volume I was enjoying whilst the neighbours are away 😆
The Naim on the other hand is effortless, barely gets warm at anything but ludicrous (i.e. last night 😀 ) volume.
It's actually a lack of power which often knackers drivers. As the amp starts to run out of puff it can't properly control the coil and cone letting it flap and be damaged.
This isn't true at all. The only things that damage drivers are too much peak low frequency power (over-excursion) or too much longterm power (overheating).
Qualifying statement - I design (very) loudspeakers for a living. 😉
The only things that damage drivers are too much peak low frequency power (over-excursion) or too much longterm power (overheating).
says the man who has never had his speaker cones eaten by mice...
...or said "No, it's fine" through gritted teeth as a good friend's toddler pokes the tweeter inside out 😉
