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Thread: Capture/Analysis of amp output to detect clipping w/RAAL Tower

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    26

    Default Capture/Analysis of amp output to detect clipping w/RAAL Tower

    I moved my system to a larger space. As expected it takes more amplifier power to drive the Sierra RAAL Towers to the same listening level. My AVR is a Yamaha RX-A2050, rated at 140 Watts with 2-channels driven into 8 Ohms.

    This leads me to a project I've considered for some time. Using a DSO I plan to capture and analyze (looking for clipping) the differential voltage at the speaker terminals while playing music and calibrated tone bursts.

    Ascend has provided impedance plots for the RAAL Tower, which will help me to estimate true amplifier power at a given frequency.

    I'll work my way up in successive volume levels until I reach either A) my normal listening level, or B) amplifier clipping.

    Anything I should be wary of from a speaker perspective?

    Thanks,
    Steve
    Last edited by Sbrom; 01-31-2018 at 01:31 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    5,538

    Default Re: Capture/Analysis of amp output to detect clipping w/RAAL Tower

    Quote Originally Posted by Sbrom View Post
    I moved my system to a larger space. As expected it takes more amplifier power to drive the Sierra RAAL Towers to the same listening level. My AVR is a Yamaha RX-A2050, rated at 140 Watts with 2-channels driven into 8 Ohms.

    This leads me to a project I've considered for some time. Using a DSO I plan to capture and analyze (looking for clipping) the differential voltage at the speaker terminals while playing music and calibrated tone bursts.

    Ascend has provided impedance plots for the RAAL Tower, which will help me to estimate true amplifier power at a given frequency.

    I'll work my way up in successive volume levels until I reach either A) my normal listening level, or B) amplifier clipping.

    Anything I should be wary of from a speaker perspective?

    Thanks,
    Steve
    I really don't recommend doing this -- sine wave tone bursts have very high crest factors and do not represent music. These can be very damaging to speaker components, especially as you reach higher power levels. Ribbon tweeters, especially, should not be subjected to this type of signal.

    Just stick with music - no reason to use tone bursts.
    .
    .
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    Good Sound To You!

    David Fabrikant
    www.ascendacoustics.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    26

    Default Re: Capture/Analysis of amp output to detect clipping w/RAAL Tower

    Quote Originally Posted by davef View Post
    I really don't recommend doing this -- sine wave tone bursts have very high crest factors and do not represent music. These can be very damaging to speaker components, especially as you reach higher power levels. Ribbon tweeters, especially, should not be subjected to this type of signal.

    Just stick with music - no reason to use tone bursts.
    I appreciate it, I knew you’d have some important advice. Understood. Music-only it is!

    Thanks,
    Steve

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