2. tech-talk
  3. 1069370656

What causes clipping?

I am trying to understand why my Kinergetics SW-200 subs are clipping so easily. I had a thread in "speakers", but realized this "tech talk" forum might be a more appropriate forum to help me understand what actually causes clipping.

I am mostly using my system for home theatre with a HK AVR300 receiver and pairing the subs with Spica TC-50's. The Kinergetics seem to be easily overwhelmed when "bassy" scenes come up in movies. But, other than when aliens are landing, they don't seem very loud.

The Kinergetics have their own 150W x 2 amp which is fed from the pre-amp out on my HK receiver. The receiver only has a mono pre-amp out, so I am splitting that to the L/R Kinergetic amp inputs.

What I am calling "clipping" is when the subs make a fast, loud, popping noise. A fuse in the Kinergetics sub may also burn out if this goes on for a long time.

1. What causes the clipping? Is it the sub amp being overloaded or is the speaker itself in the sub being overloaded?

2. Would a bigger sub amp solve the problem? If so, any recommendations?

3. Can clipping be caused when the amp can't get enough current to power the speakers? For example, I have the Kinergetics amp plugged into the switched AC outlet on my HK receiver. Can the amp be overloaded as it tries to suck the power it needs through the AC cable maybe causing a dip / spike pulse to the speakers?

4. Does room size or speaker placement have any affect on clipping?

Thanks for the help.
.
robotman

Showing 2 responses by eldulcesol

eldulcesol
197 posts
 
Robotman, after you check the cables and speakers, go through your audio menu on the dvd player and the HK volume tweak settings. I have a HK AVR5 and Kinergetics SW200 amp and I did have problems with it. If you are using the SW200 Compusound 2 mono amp, which I am using, it clipped constantly when I used the THX input. I ended using the l&r inputs on the amp with the the toggle switch in norm, not THX. This way I could use the volume control on the front of the amp if I needed a change. If you have full range fronts, try selecting sub off, fronts large on the dvd menu, fronts large on the Hk and use the front pre-outs on your receiver. You should experiment with different settings on the dvd and HK menus. I did try this amp on my music system and I can blast the Kinergetics with no problems, even at a 4 ohn load. The only time a fuse would go was when it is turned on or off. Once you get it on, leave it on, unless you want to keep replacing fuses.

Good luck and keep in touch. You just may have a frustrating task on your hands, especially using the remotes. Now, does anybody know how to lower the xover on these amps from the current 80hz? Info would be appreciated.
eldulcesol
197 posts
 
Robotman, for me I had to use a 5.1 out on the dvd player to the 6 ch. in on the receiver. What I did was set everything to large, sub yes,set the distances, effects and volume controls almost to the max. This is on the dvd player menu. Check also to see if your dvd menu has a sub freq. on it.

After that, then try to tweak the volumes with the HK. I believe the SW200 xover is 80hz. If you can, adjust the sub out freq on the HK to that. If you are finding out that the tweak volumes on the HK are at two extremes, fronts -10 center +10, go back to the dvd menu and make some changes. All this is possible if your dvd menu has the capability to do this.I know all of this is a pain, especially if you have to go through 4, 5 steps just to get to the audio menu on the dvd player as I had to do.

Try the other suggestions from above about placement and not plugging the amp to the HK. Also, if your are not sure about the condition of the amp and subs, try it out with a different receiver or system to be sure.
More to discover