From: jch@teak.Cray.COM (J.C. Hamlin)
Subject: Re: Blowing Kickers... (was Re: how hard to blow or fix subs?)
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.
Date: 6 Apr 92 15:31:28 CDT

In article <69835@ut-emx.uucp>, baylor@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Baylor) writes:
> 
> 	I'm sure many of you know this, but how hard is it blow
> up a subwoofer, and how expensive/easy is it to fix?

Depends on how it "blew".  There are many ways a woofer can die, and 
each one means a different repair.  You could wind up paying as much 
for a repair as a new one would cost, depending on the price.

> 	I'm thinking of buying two kicker 12s and putting a odin
> (2x75) on them. I like it loud, but not like many of my freinds.

That would be plenty of power and headroom to let those C-12s do their 
work without a problem.

> Many peeople i have know of have blown fosgate (punch) 15s and
> some other brands, but i do believe they sit in parking lots and
> try to out do each other to the equipments demise (they mostly
> have punch 45s if it matters).

Since you just happen to mention that they have Punch 45 amps, here's 
the problem.  The Punch only puts out 22.5 watts per channel, or maybe 
somewhere around 70-90 watts bridged into 4 ohms.  If they are using only 
one Punch 45 with two 4 ohm woofers, most likely they are driving them with 
22.5 watts per woofer.  That's not nearly enough power for a subwoofer 
(especially 12" or 15" woofers) at high listening levels.

When you have a setup like that and you turn it up, you are asking the 
amp to do too much work, it distorts (clips), and most likely the driver(s)
die before their time.

> 	If i buy something, i'm not sure i can afford to have it fixed.

Not many people can.  That's why quality products are so important.

> 	So should i start worrying and saving up because blowing is
> inevitable or will i be safe as long as i'm (somewhat) carefull? How
> much damage can they take?

You should always be careful.  Remember, "Practice safe sound", as Stillwater
Designs says.  You should have no problem with those C-12s you may be investing
in.  I've never (read never) had any Stillwater Designs driver come back 
defective or "blown".  I driver my four F-8s (rated at 75 watts continuous 
each in free air) with 100 watts continuous each.  I've driven them
hard (many demonstrations) for more than a year now without any problems 
whatsoever.   I have a loudspeaker set built from four C-10s at home that 
I don't really work that hard, but I've never had any problem with it either.

About the worst abuse I can think of is a prior client (who wishes to remain
anonymous) who I installed two C-15s, two C-12s, four C-10s, and four C-8 
into a Chevy S-10 Blazer.  He runs each driver near its rated power, and 
he never turns it down.  (Well, only when he is sleeping I guess).  He hasn't
had a blown driver yet.

I would have to say all of this is because Stillwater Designs overengineers 
their products.  "Kicker" was one of the original automotive loudspeakers and 
will be around for a long time. :-)  If you wish to get the specifications 
and prices for the Kicker series of woofers (or other comparable brands) drop
me some email.

J.C. Hamlin
jch@Cray.COM