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Audio Forums >> Frequently Asked Questions >> Can over driving a tube amp damage speakers?
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Message started by jsm71 on 06/17/13 at 15:12:40

Title: Can over driving a tube amp damage speakers?
Post by jsm71 on 06/17/13 at 15:12:40

I just ordered the Zen Torii MK3 (excited) and I have tested this amp (using a friends) with my speakers which are only medium efficiency. The output is totally acceptable for me within the listening ranges that I do. We found that going higher than I need to will start to strain the amp.

Another friend that I chat with suggested that I should be careful to not damage the speakers with clipping and maybe I should have aimed at a higher output amp. I have read that clipping with solid stage is worse for a speaker than over driving tubes. Can clipping with tubes harm speakers? Is even approaching the clipping point a bad practice with tube amps? I don't intent to push my new Decware amp hard enough to send distortion to my speakers, but I'm trying to learn a little here.

Title: Re: Can over driving a tube amp damage speakers?
Post by Rivieraranch on 06/19/13 at 01:48:11

I've never heard of such a concern here. I think you will not have any trouble.

Title: Re: Can over driving a tube amp damage speakers?
Post by Rizlaw on 08/12/13 at 05:53:24

jsm71,

I agree with Riviearanch. You didn't mention your speakers sensitivity rating, but I'm guessing somewhere in the mid to high 80's. The Torii III puts out a strong 25 watt per channel and should present no problems clipping wise since you have already tested it and found it's output sufficient.

You might want to read this White Paper by Steve "Understanding Usable Power":
https://www.decware.com/newsite/paper110.htm

It should answer your question in more detail. Enjoy your new Torii III.

Title: Re: Can over driving a tube amp damage speakers?
Post by jsm71 on 08/12/13 at 14:07:38

Thanks for the reassurances. Since I put in my order I have had plenty of time to read pretty much every white paper on the site. :)

My speakers are JansZen zA2.1 hybrid ESLs. Their sensitivity is 87db, but they are quite easy to drive, just not to extreme volumes.

Title: Re: Can over driving a tube amp damage speakers?
Post by Rizlaw on 08/12/13 at 15:24:53

Interesting. My very first audiophile speakers were JansZen Z-400s (electrostatic mid/tweeter and cone woofer as I recall), back in the 1960s.

Title: Re: Can over driving a tube amp damage speakers?
Post by jsm71 on 08/13/13 at 03:33:01

I've really enjoyed these speakers. I was kind of happy to see Steve relate a nice listening story about them on page 7 of his thread regarding his new Mystery speakers.

https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1365130519/90#90

Positive Feedback Online just also did a nice review if you're interested.

http://positive-feedback.com/Issue68/janszen.htm