When choosing any piece of audio equipment, including loudspeakers, it’s useful to understand the expected lifespan of the product(s). How long should loudspeakers last? Quality loudspeakers will last several decades when properly cared for. Lifespan factors include design/material, placement and environment, connected amplifier(s) and usage time. Though safe operation will improve speaker longevity, some components…
Appearing at the end of the audio signal, speakers are the essential pieces that convert audio to sound for our listening pleasure (or displeasure). One common question when considering loudspeakers and the devices that contain loudspeakers is whether they wear out. And if they do, how does that happen? Do loudspeakers wear out, and if…
Everybody who listens to audio, whether music, podcasts, movies or other media, depends on speakers. From standalone loudspeakers and monitors to headphones and earphones to built-in laptop and cell phone speakers, it’s clear that speakers vary significantly in size. With most speakers being electromagnetic, it begs the question: do bigger magnets make better speakers? Do…
Without drivers, speakers would be incapable of producing sound. These transducers effectively convert audio signals to sound waves, allowing us to hear a sonic representation of audio. The size of each driver is a determining factor as to how well the speaker will perform. What is a good driver size for a loudspeaker? The proper…
The latest televisions come in a range of enormous sizes with immense picture quality that can bring the experience of the cinema screen to your front room. But does the extra technology to power such outstanding imagery leave the standard speaker behind? It seems, in most cases, the answer to that question is a resounding…
So you’ve got yourself a pair (or any number) of active speakers and are wondering if it’s okay to leave them turned on when they’re not in use. Is it bad/damaging to keep speakers on when not in use? Keeping a powered speaker powered/on when it’s not in use will decrease its overall longevity. The…
Roaming around a hi-fi store or checking prices on the internet, you’ll likely come across audiophile-grade speakers. Many of these speakers carry high price tags, have odd-shaped designs, and noteworthy marketing. If speakers range wildly in price, aesthetics and specifications, then it makes sense that some speakers would be objectively better than others. Do better…
Audio equipment can be costly, meaning that people sometimes have to settle on one or more pieces of gear. Should you buy a high-end amplifier and settle on inexpensive speakers, or purchase top-notch speakers and skimp on the amplifier? Which is more important, speakers or amplifiers? Speakers and amplifiers are equally important for music playback….
Damaging a speaker is one thing audiophiles, musicians, or audio enthusiasts can all agree upon as a terrible occurrence. Speakers can sustain damage in several ways, and in this article, we’ll investigate whether playing music too loud will cause speaker damage. Is playing music loud bad for speakers? Playing music/audio too loud may cause damage…
Having a cell phone around your speakers may result in some intermittent humming and buzzing. The cause of such interference could be a mystery, as inconsistent as it may be. Why do speakers hum/buzz around cell phones? A cell phone may cause a speaker to hum or buzz as data is transmitted to and from…
If you’re a huge fan of music or a professional in the audio industry, you may very well have found yourself drawn to vintage audio equipment— only to find how incredibly high the prices are. Why is vintage audio equipment so expensive? Vintage audio equipment is expensive partly because of rarity (a lot of vintage…
If you are wiring speakers, you must know the correct way to do it. If it is your first time wiring speakers, you may be confused about which speaker wire is positive and which is negative. There are different signs and methods you can use to determine this. Which speaker cable wire is positive, and…
