Bass stack vs. microwave; EE majors HELP!

That's a big rig for your apartment. I can't see any problem with that. Others may have insights into this (MikeyD?). As for the TV, you can fix that crazy screen caused by magnetic fields by having the TV degaussed. Most TV repair places have degaussers. Actually, most new TVs have a degausser built in, which degausses the tube every time the TV's turned on. I can't see an amplifier doing any more damage than that to a TV, but again, I could be wrong.

 

Usually it's the loudspeaker magnets that cause trouble for CRT's (including TV and monitor tubes). Most computer speakers are shielded from magnetic fields so they won't mess up the monitor.

I'd say try an experiment with the microwave: measure how long it takes to boil 8 oz. of water with the amp away from it vs. how long near it! If no difference, then you're probably okay. Microwave oven magnetrons don't have to emit rays in precise patterns the way CRT guns do.
My understanding of degaussing is it neutralizes stray magnetic field build-up. I kind of doubt it would help much with a 20-lb alnico magnet sitting next to the tube. I may be wrong, though.

- Mike

 

I'm with MikeyD. The magnetic field from the speakers is going to be very weak that far (a few feet I'm assuming ) away. TVs and monitors are just really sensetive to that (think about how small a pixel is, and then think that it is really three things! red, green, and blue. The electrons have to hit the right ones to get the right color mix. )

Also, if the microwave is doing anything that could harm your amp, then I think all microwave owners should be a bit worried!

 

yeah man, college life rules... anyways, im with mikeyD too. the microwave should be fine, as it doesnt depend on precision electron emmission. just dont put it next to a monitor of any kind. your speakers will be fine. I keep my stack in a dorm room. it of advice though, be careful with the placement of your stack if you have a computer in the room. I had this problem earlier, where i was practicing while my roommate was saving something to his hard drive. the low frequency vibrations caused the "needle" in the hard drive to skip, and caused fatal errors. he had to reformat teh hard drive and reinstall windows... lunux...and all that. big pain. basically dont put the computer directly opposite from the stack, dont put the computer in a corner of the room, dont put it on the floor, and dont have the stack facing directly towards it. also avoid saving anything while playing bass. i had this problem during the first week of school. and my rig is about half the power of yours, so i though i should warn you... i know this is off topic, i just hate to see someone else go through that amount of frustration again. c ya.

 

A 1.6kW rig in a living room - that's America

Seriously:
I doubt that microwaves, monitors and such can do any harm to your amp. You might pick up some hum though, like with neon lamps - but I don't know if this is possible. Mike?

And what about using a headphone out (or seperate headphone amp) in your appartment/dorm room?
Helps keeping friends - unless you are a god on your instrument and practicing less than 1hour per week...

 

Keep the speakers away from your other electronics. Keep the amp away from the TV and microwave... set it close to the floor if necessary.