Methods for protecting speakers while toggling power

notphilip · 5058

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline notphilip

  • Jr. Member
  • **
    • Posts: 10
on: December 29, 2016, 09:00:03 AM
When I toggle power on my smash, there is a loud thump noise that comes from my speakers - and recently one of my speaker's tweeters got blown out due to it (I suspect at least - fortunately, it is covered under warranty). Oddly enough, if I toggle power on other high voltage electronics on the same circuit, the issue reproduces (e.g., if I toggle power to my bathroom fan).

I've been very careful to power on my power amp last (and power it off first), but there are often circumstances where I cannot control the power behavior (e.g., visitors, power outage, accidental usage of the bathroom fan, etc...).

Are there any possible modifications to protect speakers while toggling power?
I've heard of DC protection relays - would those be appropriate for mitigating this? How would I install one?



Offline Paul Birkeland

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 19750
Reply #1 on: December 29, 2016, 09:37:11 AM
Can you tell us more about you amplifier and speakers?

If you turn on your bathroom fan, and it produces this kind of issue, then a power conditioner might be a nice solution to this problem. 

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline notphilip

  • Jr. Member
  • **
    • Posts: 10
Reply #2 on: December 29, 2016, 09:58:46 AM
Sure - my amp is an Adcom GFA-555 and the speakers are Kef LS-50s.

I have this power conditioner currently: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BQ91Y6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1