How To Avoid Speaker Damage - Paradigm Reference MILENNA SERIES Owner's Manual

HOW TO AVOID SPEAKER DAMAGE

Millenia ™ Hybrid speakers are efficient and can be driven to loud listening levels with moderate amplifier
power. They are also able to handle the output of very powerful amplifiers. To prevent damage to your
speakers, please read the following guidelines before hooking them up.
Amplifier Distortion — The #1 Culprit!
Amplifier distortion is the principal cause of speaker damage. When listening at loud levels your amplifier
may run out of clean power. It will then begin to produce distorted power several times greater than its rated
output power. This will damage any brand of speaker very quickly! (See Dealer for amplifier recommendations.)
More Powerful Amplifiers are Safer
A 40 watt/channel amplifier will have substantial distortion above 40 watts. If driven to 50 watts, this
amplifier will deliver distorted power which will damage the speaker! A 100 watt/channel amplifier will
have substantial distortion above 100 watts, but very low distortion below 100 watts. Therefore, when the
speaker requires 50 watts, this more powerful amplifier will deliver clean power and speaker damage is less
likely to occur.
Volume Control
Do not be fooled by the Volume Control of your receiver/preamplifier. It only adjusts listening level—it is
not a "power-output" dial. The amount of amplifier power actually used at a given Volume Control setting
depends solely on the nature of the music you are listening to.
At a given Volume Control setting a quiet section of music will use less amplifier power than a loud section.
With typical pop-rock, jazz or large scale classical music, the rated output power of many receivers/amplifiers
is often reached when the Volume Control is between the "11 and 1 o'clock" settings (with bass/treble and
loudness controls not used—otherwise rated power may be reached at even lower Volume Control settings).
Remember, all amplifiers produce distortion when operated beyond their rated output power. The resulting
distortion will damage all speakers! Exercise caution! If you listen at loud levels, be careful to listen for the
point of audible distortion—if the speakers begin to sound distressed turn the Volume Control down or your
speakers and/or amplifier(s) will be damaged! This type of damage constitutes abuse and is not
covered by the warranty. If louder volumes are desired, obtain a more powerful amplifier.
There is a Limit!
Although more powerful amplifiers are safer, there is a point at which you could have more power than
the speaker can handle. At that point you will overpower the speaker and damage it. Exercise caution! At
loud levels do not increase bass/treble controls from zero and ensure that all loudness/contour/bass EQ
buttons are off (otherwise rated output power will be reached at lower Volume Control settings). If you
listen at loud levels, watch for excessive visible cone excursion (grille movement) from the woofer—then
turn the Volume Control down.
The Right Amount of Power
A power-range rating is given as a guide to indicate the approximate minimum and maximum power
input of your Millenia ™ Hybrid speakers. Amplifiers that exceed your speaker's power-range rating are
recommended. Their greater power reserves provide better sound. However, exercise caution! Use the
speakers within their power-range rating to prevent damage—keep listening levels below the point of
excessive woofer cone excursion.
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