Filter
Top Products
10. SPEAKER DAMAGE & HOW TO AVOID IT
An important factor to consider with any loudspeaker system is the potential for speaker damage. Even though
your speakers have extremely high power handling ability, they still can be damaged by relatively low powered
amplifiers.
While very few M&K Satellites are actually returned for service, the vast majority of those returned are not for
manufacturing defects. Instead, they are returned because they have been overdriven, almost always because the
amplifier or receiver used was driven into clipping distortion. This damage is considered abuse, and is not
necessarily covered under warranty.
This clipping distortion occurs when the demands of the music are greater than the amplifier's available power.
It can occur at 20 watts with a small amplifier, or at 400 watts with a large amplifier. Regardless, when this
happens, the amplifier's output waveform (which usually looks like a smooth arc) is "clipped" off, exhibiting a flat
top instead of the arc.
This flat top contains multiples of the original amplified frequencies, sometimes at higher levels than the
original signal itself. For tweeters, this can be very damaging, as this distortion is well above the audible range,
where you will be unable to hear it, and where the tweeter is more vulnerable to damage.
When an amplifier clips, its sound becomes harsh and grating, and a break-up is often audible in the bass
frequencies. It will become uncomfortable to listen to, compared to a slightly lower volume level. When you are
listening at high volume levels, be aware of the onset of clipping distortion, and turn the volume down slightly if the
sound takes on the character described above.
When tone controls or equalizers are used to boost frequencies, the problem occurs much more rapidly. Even
a small boost of low or high frequencies can easily double the power requirement and lead to amplifier clipping at
moderate levels.Therefore, you should use your tone controls judiciously, avoiding extreme boosts of the bass and
treble controls, especially when you are listening at high volume levels.
The best way to avoid speaker damage is to use common sense. Use moderate boosts of tone controls or
equalizers, at the very most. Listen carefully for any harshness and break-up, especially at high volume levels, and
turn down the volume when needed. If you cannot get enough volume, you may need to consider a higher-
powered amplifier. If you have any questions about this, please contact M&K or your local M&K dealer.
11. M&K WALL MOUNT BRACKET AND STAND OPTIONS
We recommend using M&K’s ST series of floor mount stands for your
S-5000, S-250, or S-150 speaker. See Figure 8. These stands are
comprised of several components. For each stand assembly, you will need
the base, the leg/pipe, the leg/pipe cover, and the bracket. For additional
flexibility, you may choose to have the pipe custom made to suit your
specific application. When mounting the S-5000 speaker on our stand, you
can use either the 25” leg/cover in the low position or the 17” leg/cover in
either the high or low position. See Figure 9. For additional information,
please contact your M&K dealer or the factory directly.
The use of M&K’s ST-series component stand will allow both vertical
and horizontal alignment. Making the critical speaker alignment process
both accurate and simple. Additionally, for even more precise aiming of the speakers, we recommend using a laser
alignment too.This laser too can be ordered direct from M&K, just visit our web site for more information and order-
ing instructions.
If using speaker stands is not ideal for your particular application, M&K also offers ST-Wall brackets, for the
greatest flexibility in mounting your S-150 and S-250 speakers to the wall. The ST-Wall/Tilt brackets can be adjust-
ed vertically and horizontally. The ST-Wall/Fixed brackets can only be adjusted horizontally. Versions designed for
corner mounting, known as the ST-Corner/Tilt and ST-Corner/Fixed is also available. See Figure 10.
MAIN SATELLITE SPEAKER
ST-1 Base (53 lbs)
(order as ST-1 BASE)
2.75" H x 12" W x 13" D
17.5" Leg with Cover
(order as ST 17 LEG)
ST Fixed Bracket - Short
(order as ST FIX SHORT)
ST Tilt Bracket
(order as ST TILT BRKT)
ST Fixed Bracket - Tall
(order as ST FIX TALL)
25" Leg with Cover
(order as ST 25 LEG)
72" Leg with Cover
(order as ST 72 LEG)
ST-2 Base (23 lbs)
(order as ST-2 BASE)
2.35" H x 9.75" W x 10.5" D
ST Tilt Bracket - Short
(order as ST TILT SHORT)
5.0"
3.18"
12 UP
5 DOWN
O
O
5 UP
12 DOWN
O
O
FIGURE 8
10