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Will accidental max volume damage a speaker?

I think I’m okay but I would still like some reassurance. My preamp has an option to use one RCA input as a pass through that bypasses the volume control. In other words whatever volume goes in, goes out. Weeks ago I set it up that way to test a different component and I forgot to set it back when I unhooked that component. So today I hooked a dac to it using the dac’s fixed outputs, so I assume line level. So when I started a song it was loud, really loud for about four seconds. Probably not as loud as if I maxed out the volume intentionally, although I’ve never done that so I can’t be sure how loud that would be. Just wondering if speakers have a safety mechanism designed in where the drivers can’t over travel and cause damage. My speakers are Usher Audio dancer mini-x DMD. They still sound perfect to me but I’ve always wondered about this question anyway so it motivated me to ask. I've probably just watched too many comedy movies where teenagers literally explode their speakers like there was a grenade in them
milkdudd
ghdprentice
6,394 posts
 
OP. I did the same thing with my new Audio Research REF 6SE and my then new Sonus Faber Amati Traditional. I think I got it turned off in closer to two seconds… and hopefully no hearing damage. It did not damage the speakers fortunately. 

 I was actually rather upset that ARC would cluster the three output pairs together and not, at least, put some caps on the pass through outputs. Wiring your system up against the wall… with you head upside down is asking to have this happen. My dealer puts tape across the outputs so his folks don’t accidentally do this in the show room. I think this is a real stupid oversight by manufacturer not put in some safety mechanism.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,217 posts
 
ARC clearly labels it's input and outputs. They are grouped because that is the cleanest way to organize the boards and wiring. They assume anybody rich enough to be able to afford their equipment would be able to read, even upside down.
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 
"...I guess the question would be how loud is a direct line level input compared to a normal condition of maxing out the volume dial..."

That signal is the max voltage your preamp produces. WIDE FULL OPEN! 
ghdprentice
6,394 posts
 
“WIDE FULL OPEN!” 
Exactly
itsjustme
681 posts
 
As many have already said, you would know (i hope) if you did any damage.  Speakers fail mostly due to heat. the voice coil, the electromagnet that moves the speaker cone/dome/whatever is wound with very small wire.  Over time it gets hot and !poof!.
The good news is everything has mass and takes time to heat up. How much time....depends.

The telltale signs are:
1. doesn't play2. a scratching sound as the speaker element moves, with associated distortion
This is why, as a sometimes equipment designer with stuff in and out of my system(s) literally 500-1000 X/year, i have fuses in my speaker cable.  And you know what?  Life goes on and I get great sound. No, not fancy fuses, ones i buy  LOT of at the Home Depot.
$15k speakers (when they were last sold) with unobtanium drivers are not something i wish to jeopardy.

Tweeters can go quite quickly - just a warning.  Woofers tend to require continued abuse.

But the bottom line is - if they still work, they are likely undamaged. 

G
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