I've read they're used to increase the rated power of a speaker. 🙁 So a 30 W driver can be rated as a 150 W using the correct light bulb.
Yeah, they do that by sending most of the power to the bulb instead. The speaker doesn't get any louder when you go past 20w, but the bulb gets brighter.
Chris
Chris
There is no free lunch though, a lightbulb changes the tonal character of the speaker when it is active(illuminated), in my experience the change is painfully obvious and not in a good way. These devices work best with highly dynamic material such as live music where the bulb just dampens those peaks, but is very bad with compressed recorded material. Bottom line is you don't want to utilize them in a manner where they are diverting a significant amount of power, that is just poor design and it will sound bad.
A nice setup for generating SPLs at reasonable fidelity is Klipsch LaScalas. We would drive them with Bryston 4Bs in mono (800w RMS 8ohms). They are rated at 105db 1w/1m, are 8ohms impedance, and offer good HiFi SQ when the listening position gets past 3m / 10', at low volumes as well as high. If you need more, you can add a second pair, inverted (top unit upside down). Even with one 4B in stereo, you still have 400w 4ohms at your disposal.
But there are many ways to approach the problem; the above example is just one that I know works as I've used it multiple times, in hotel ballrooms as well as other venues. No one ever complained that it wasn't loud enough, and they have a very dynamic sound, output down to about 50 Hz. You won't need any light bulbs.
But there are many ways to approach the problem; the above example is just one that I know works as I've used it multiple times, in hotel ballrooms as well as other venues. No one ever complained that it wasn't loud enough, and they have a very dynamic sound, output down to about 50 Hz. You won't need any light bulbs.
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Recreational Vehicle incandescents can be found in many wattage ratings and fit standard bulb sockets, and are easily sourced at any RV dealer, or commercial camping sites plus the usual sources for lighting in general. Typically 12 or 24v. Probably "caravan bulbs" to you, Andrew.
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Interesting thread. Will be looking and probably collectiNg klipsch for future similar installs .
All in all
Pair of vienna beethoven
Pair of bw dm604 s3
Pair of jvc sx-a3
2 yamaha mx1 one runs viennas
Second runs bw and jvc in parallel.
It was actually more volume than needed.
Mx1 amps have input voltage adjustment knobs
I played various mp3, flacs using cd player and my pc. Standard rca output voltage. Some recorded mp3s at stupid loud volumes and adjusted input volume knobs to 80% of speakers capability. Or 10-11 o'clock input level knob. Basically looking at woofer movement and my ears. Cellphone app was not sensitive enough..
I'd add few subs. But at the moment owners are already super happy with results and don't want to spend more money.
Basically speakers will be used at 30% or at around 30-40 watts. Once in a while theyll see 60-70 watts for few hours.
I also bought qsc ads82. For outside bar
Those have over voltage protection. Qsc description "
Dynamic, full range power protection circuitry activated by signal overload conditions"
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...system_w_ad_s82_8_acousticdesign_surface.html
Was wondering if this power protection circuitry actually works. Maybe it could be used on other speakers at home. Good idea
All in all
Pair of vienna beethoven
Pair of bw dm604 s3
Pair of jvc sx-a3
2 yamaha mx1 one runs viennas
Second runs bw and jvc in parallel.
It was actually more volume than needed.
Mx1 amps have input voltage adjustment knobs
I played various mp3, flacs using cd player and my pc. Standard rca output voltage. Some recorded mp3s at stupid loud volumes and adjusted input volume knobs to 80% of speakers capability. Or 10-11 o'clock input level knob. Basically looking at woofer movement and my ears. Cellphone app was not sensitive enough..
I'd add few subs. But at the moment owners are already super happy with results and don't want to spend more money.
Basically speakers will be used at 30% or at around 30-40 watts. Once in a while theyll see 60-70 watts for few hours.
I also bought qsc ads82. For outside bar
Those have over voltage protection. Qsc description "
Dynamic, full range power protection circuitry activated by signal overload conditions"
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...system_w_ad_s82_8_acousticdesign_surface.html
Was wondering if this power protection circuitry actually works. Maybe it could be used on other speakers at home. Good idea
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