Speaker damage from playing too softly?

[atk305]

Hello all -

Thanks for a great forum, I'm learning a lot. I appreciate everyone's advice and input.

A few days ago I came across and purchased a slightly used Behringer Ultrabass BB410 cabinet. This is a 4 ohm cabinet with a 1200 watt maximum rating. After playing for about 10-15 minutes at a very respectable volume ... with my Carvin R1000's "amp 1" setting on 5 and the volume between 1 and 2 ... the lower left speaker started to buzz. It got progressively worse until I shut it off. I then unplugged it and plugged my trusty Ampeg 15" back in just to verify that something wasn't going on with the Carvin. I also noticed that when I played through the Ampeg, I could hear a buzz coming from the Behringer's lower left speaker even though the speaker wasn't plugged in.

I called the store this afternoon and told them what was going on. They have a 7-day return policy so I'll be taking it back tomorrow ... but I wanted to give them a heads-up. The guy at the store asked me what volume I was playing at, and then told me something surprising; that the majority of speaker damage comes from people playing at volumes that are too LOW. He said that speakers have a minimum rating as well as a maximum rating, and extended periods of playing too softly will damage a speaker.

This is the first time I've ever heard anything like that. Is this really true?

Curiously -

Pete

BTW I play Yamaha BBG5A and Ibanez ATK305 5-string basses, an EKO 995, and a shortscale Fender Bronco Bass.

[Bass_Pounder]

Absolutely false...........

The guy you spoke to on the phone is a moron !


More than likely a crappy cab (which Behringers are even new).

[John Wentzien]

Never happen!

[lbwdog]

When you go back to that store, bring a camera and take his picture. When he asks why you're doing that, just tell him that your friends on Talkbass want to see what a real idiot looks like.

What a moron!

[Bassamatic]

That is like wearing your engine out by driving too slow.

The speaker is defective - period. It was buzzing when you were playing the other cab because it was resonating. It sounds like the suspension is bad and the voice coil is rubbing in the gap.

Please post the moron pic!

[will33]

You've got a bad speaker. You can't damage a speaker by not working it hard enough, only by over-working it. Whoever you talked to is likely a salesman who knows nothing about speakers. He could just as easily sell a toaster or a car. Hint: he doesn't know anything about those either.

[bongomania]

+1 on he was a moron.

[craig.p]

The guy at the store asked me what volume I was playing at, and then told me something surprising; that the majority of speaker damage comes from people playing at volumes that are too LOW. He said that speakers have a minimum rating as well as a maximum rating, and extended periods of playing too softly will damage a speaker.

That's the best laugh I've had today. Betcha he had a $20 bet going on with some guys in back that he could actually get all those words out and:

a) not crack a smile;

b) make you think he was actually serious;

c) all while NOT getting punched in the nose.

Where's Aunt Esther when we need her. I can envision her listening to that salesman's drivel, going all squinty-eyed, and then... "WATCH it, sucker."

[coreyfyfe]

Is that the one with the aluminum cones? I've heard that the behringer cabs with the aluminum cones have a tendency to come loose and allow the aluminum to vibrate.

[atk305]

Yeah - thanks everyone, that's what I thought. I've been playing for about 15 years now and NEVER heard that before from anyone, anyplace, ever .. but I thought, maybe I'll give the guy the benefit of the doubt for now .. and go ask the REAL experts.



I'm attaching a pic taken with my cellphone, apologies for the poor photo quality. The Carvin R1000 on top, the Ampeg 15" in the middle, and the "can't take a low volume" Behringer BB410 on the bottom.

Now - back to the search for a cabinet. Its the one thing I've never spent money on and really feel like its time to do so. I have two good combo amps - a Fender BXR-400 (LOVE this amp) and an SWR Workingman 15 - but its time for a cabinet to match the Carvin head. I'm now looking at a used Fender 410 Pro SL .. I'd appreciate any opinions you might have on that cabinet.

Thanks again guys -

Pete

[B-string]

Oh NO, all his store stock is ruined! He is not playing through them at the rated wattage 24/7. He's not a moron, morons can blow their own noses!! Pic really! I want to see if it has two arms and legs.

[Jeff Scott]

The moron/sales drone/moron told you that so that you can't return it or charge you a "restocking fee" type of dealio! I bet he will say you caused the damage.

[vinxbass]

That ranks up there with a few of the most ridiculous statements I've ever heard pertaining to speaker usage. My gosh!!

[Bass_Pounder]

I think some guitards must actually believe this though..........

That's why they cannot turn down to a reasonable level

[3506string]

WOW I just lost a little hope in humanity.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by 3506string

WOW I just lost a little hope in humanity.

That's okay, I lost a lot of hope in humanity a very long time ago.

[coreyfyfe]

I've heard a variation on this idea but it centered around people who play very softly, thus crank the amp, then when they have a transient spike in volume (either intentionally or by stupidity such as pulling out a guitar cable) they damage speakers. However, it doesn't sound like that's what this guy was saying. Sounds like he's just dumb.

[mulchor]

Playing too quiet won't hurt your speakers or amp, but it will make hair grow on your palms.

No seriously, it's correlated with a fondness for showtunes and jazz.

Trust me, you dun wanna go there.

[Buster Brown]

Dang.......just......Dang

Kind of like the car salesman who tells you that the automobile is $12,000 or $13,500 with tires.....


Lordy, Lordy.....

[Bassamatic]

Actually, he is not a moron, he is a salesman, trying to not lose his commission on the speaker that he has been trying to unload for the last 6 months.