11 replies to this topic

[yanni]

Hi, recently one of the speakers on my 42" Plasma stopped working. I'm looking to replace the speaker with anything I've got. The speaker specs are:

Output Resistance : 8Ohms
Power Consumption : 8W

I read online that I should replace it with same 8Ohm impedence, however I'm not sure about the Watts. I found some 8 ohm speakers lying around, but the watts are way more, like 60 - 100W.

My only concern is not wanting to damage the TV's amp. Can I use these speakers ? Or do I need to find exactly 8W or less speakers ?

Thanks

[MLXXX]

Yanni, there is very little risk of stress to an audio amplifier output stage from using a different model speaker, provided the impedance is correct, in this case 8 ohms.

Using a speaker with a higher power handling capability would not be expected to stress an audio amplifier output stage.  There may however be a difference in sensitivity between different speakers so the volume of the Left and Right channels might get a bit out of balance.

You should avoid a speaker with less than an 8 watt rating, as such a speaker could overload and distort.

[yanni]

Thanks MLXXX for your very quick reply. I'm planning to replace both the speakers with another set so they are balanced, it's a TCL TV and the speakers are side mounted detachables and connect through speaker cables to the back.
So I guess those 8Ohm 100W speakers won't break my TV amp after all huh ? Should I pay attention to anything else after replacing them (eg. Not cranking the volume to max with these replacement 100W speakers) ?

[MLXXX]

Yes, good idea to avoid very high volume setting. Side mounted detachables: that makes it easy; important the metal body of  replacement speakers does not to come into contact with any existing wiring, or components, i.e avoiding making any new unexpected electrical connections. Good luck with this.

[yanni]

The replacement ones are in a wooden case, so it should be fine.
Just to clarify, would cranking the volume to max do more damage to the speakers or the TV's amp ?

[miata]

yanni, on 02 April 2012 - 03:33 AM, said:

The replacement ones are in a wooden case, so it should be fine.
Just to clarify, would cranking the volume to max do more damage to the speakers or the TV's amp ?

Never run MAX volume on anything. The higher the volume, the more distortion, it's distortion that does the damage to speakers. It's like trying to make a Barina perform like a Ferrari, if you want volume, get an amplifier or receiver and decent speakers.

[mtv]

When you say that one speaker stopped working, that suggests the problem may also be the amp/power supply itself or a connection, rather than the speaker itself.

You may have already tested the suspect speaker to confirm if it's blown, but if not, check first as there may be a different problem giving the same symptom.

[MLXXX]

Good point, mtv. Also possible a fault in the amp would damage a replacement speaker.

Edited by MLXXX, 02 April 2012 - 10:45 AM.

[yanni]

Thanks for your responses.
I did test the other side's speakers with the faulty side's output and it works fine, and the offending speaker does not respond when connected to another amp. I think confirmed that it's a faulty speaker.
I'm just worried if the higher rated speakers are not as loud/clear as the original, and someone cranks the volume to max. I don't care too much to damage the replacement speakers but definitely want to avoid doing any damage to the TV's amp.

[:)]

yanni the amps themselves built into panels are extremely tiny, only really purpose built to drive the speakers in question. I would be wary as to hooking up more demanding speakers to the amps. We have no idea as to the actual construction of the amp in question built in the tv. with amps and speakers there are a few things that can happen. lets eliminate one ie overdriving the speakers ...unlikely in this scenario. now that leaves cranking the speakers to a point that the amp in the tv cant sustain their power draw. two things can happen here, one the amp runs into protection if it has any. or it has a melt down and goes up in smoke (note this might actually already be the case) or alternatively with the amp not being able to the requirements of the speaker its power supply can start clipping which will in turn destroy the speaker (this is also possibly what caused your current speaker to fail).

I would tread with caution. if money wasnt a huge concern, can buy some cheap affordable sound bars that are likely better than whats built into your tv anyways. otherwise can also add an amp and speaker set which will do a better end result than the sound bar or current speaker set. but budget is so constrained and you want to try what you have. be very carefull and accept the possiblity that you are going to possibly either damage the amp in the tv if not damaged already, or damage the new speakers just as damaged the previous

[mtv]

As already mentioned, if you feel volume levels are insufficient, risking someone running the internal amp at max level, then use an external amp and speakers, which can be just a stereo pair, up to a 7.1 home theatre system.

Even just a basic stereo amp and speakers will provide more volume and generally, much better sound quality.

If there's a tendency for someone in your home to crank up the volume to max on your TV, this is a highly probable cause why the speaker has failed.

[yanni]

Found spare 8Ohm 50W speakers from an old stereo. Plugged it in and works fine for now. The sound from the new speakers are a bit louder on the same volume compared to the original speakers so I'll have to be careful not to turn the volume up too high.
Thanks you all for your replies.