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Have you ever turned the speaker volume up in your car and wondered “why do my speakers sound fuzzy?” or “why does it sound weird when I turn up the volume to my car speakers?”
That is what you call called distortion!
Distortion is a very common problem in a lot of audio systems when they are over driven or not tuned properly. Playing your speakers like this for too long can severely damage or “blow” your speakers and/or subwoofer(s).
Think of it as a road… While the ideal roadway is completely smooth (just like the ideal audio signal), once you introduce a bumpy pothole filled road (in this case, a clipped audio signal) you can damage vital components that your vehicle needs to operate properly.
The most common type of distortion is clipping, which occurs when the power or wattage of the signal exceeds the maximum level that the speakers and/or amplifier can handle. This causes the peaks of the audio signal to be “clipped off,” resulting in a harsh, distorted sound. Other types of distortion include harmonic distortion, which introduces new frequencies that are multiples of the original signal’s frequency, and intermodulation distortion, which occurs when two or more signals interact and create new frequencies that are not present in either of the original signals.
Clipping/distorted Audio Signal – notice the harsh edges and “plateaued” tops of the waves
Clean audio signal – notice the soft and rounded tops of the waves.
Distortion can be introduced by a variety of factors –
- Improper tuning – Improperly tuning an amplifier can significantly introduce distortion into your audio system. This occurs when the amplifier is pushed beyond its limits. This distortion manifests as harsh, grainy sound, a loss of clarity, and potentially even damage to your speakers.
- Speaker Wattage limitations: Every speaker has limitations in terms of the signal levels it can handle. Overloading or sending more wattage than a speaker can handle can lead to distortion.
- Signal processing: Certain audio processing techniques, such as compression and equalization, can introduce distortion if not used carefully.
- Physical constraints: Factors such as temperature, humidity, and vibration can affect the performance of audio equipment and introduce distortion.
Listening to distorted frequencies can have a significant impact on the perceived quality of audio. It can make it sound harsh, grainy, or unpleasant to listen to. In severe cases, it will even limit the lifespan of your equipment causing premature failure. Therefore, it’s important to minimize distortion throughout the entire audio chain to ensure the best possible sound quality.
In conclusion, audio signal distortion is a complex phenomenon that can affect the quality of sound in many ways. By understanding the causes and effects of distortion, engineers, musicians and equipment installers can take steps to minimize it and achieve the highest possible sound quality.
How to I prevent distortion?
The best way to prevent audio signal “clipping” (distortion) is to use your designated speakers and amplifier according to the manufacturer specifications.
- Do not send more wattage than recommended to your speakers
- Tune your amplifier and the Crossovers according to equipment guidelines
- Do not “overdrive” or push your amplifier past its recommended limits
- When tuning your new amplifier do not tune to the highest volume on your head unit. Most head units start forming a clipped signal when the volume is turned all the way up. Your tuned “max” volume should be about 80% of the true maximum volume number your head unit can reach.
- Pay attention to song volume. Some songs produce a higher output (are louder) than others, making a clipped signal present even if you tuned your amplifier to its correct specifications.
For maximum lifespan and top-notch sound quality, Tacotunes plug and play Speakers & amplifiers are paired with step-by-step instructional tuning videos and calculators.
In addition, our 100% plug and play audio signal harnesses work seamlessly with tacotunes amplifiers and most other brands of amplifiers providing you the best possible signal strength!
Tacotunes 5 Channel Amplifier Tuning Instructions
Tacotunes 4 Channel & Subwoofer Amplifier with Aftermarket head unit
Tacotunes 4 Channel & Subwoofer Amplifier Tuning Instructions
Tacotunes Amplifier tuning calculator