Quest Engineering QMotion QM 12MP User Manual - Getting The Most From
QM
12MP
User Manual
User Manual
Q Motion Series
QM 12MP
4
Getting the Most from
your Quest QM 12MP
Speakers
It is true of all professional loudspeaker
systems; the performance of the loudspeaker
depends on an amplifier delivering an
adequate supply of clean power. There
are numerous opinions on the subject of
appropriate power amplifier wattage for a
given loudspeaker within the audio industry.
There is no single answer to the question
of what amplifier power you should use
for a particular loudspeaker that covers
all situations but there is a basic principle
that if applied sensibly will generally deliver
good results. These cover power ratings of
speakers, amplifier power capability, and
preventing loudspeaker damage.
Suitable Amplification
It is true of all professional loudspeaker
systems; the performance of the loudspeaker
depends on an amplifier delivering an
adequate supply of clean power. There
are numerous opinions on the subject of
appropriate power amplifier wattage for a
given loudspeaker within the audio industry.
There is no single answer to the question
of what amplifier power you should use
for a particular loudspeaker that covers all
situations but there is a basic principles
that if applied sensibly will generally deliver
good results. These cover power ratings of
speakers, amplifier power capability, and
preventing loudspeaker damage.
Power In The Right Hands Can Save
Your Speakers
If the loudspeakers are used for professional
application with competent operators, the
power principle is:
Where the full output capabilities of the
loudspeakers will be needed to achieve
maximum output levels, use amplifiers that
can sustain twice the wattage listed in the
loudspeaker specifications. A quality amplifier
will provide a clean peak voltage capability
of 6 dB above the maximum RMS power of
the speakers and even in the case of a lesser
quality amplifier you will avoid “clipping” or
distorted output from the amplifier under most
circumstances.
The thermal limits of the speaker are unlikely
to be exceeded with an undistorted signal.
While principle is consistent with the Quest
Engineering’s testing regime, it does not
completely guarantee trouble-free operation
under all conditions.
The power amplifier sizes recommended by
the above principle capable of continuous
output levels that can cause damage to or
failure of the drivers. This is especially true
when reproducing recorded music. Many
recordings have very low peak to average
ratios such that much higher continuous
levels are possible before amplifier clipping.
Avoid Amplifier Clipping
Bearing in mind the above principle of
amplifier power higher than speaker power,
keep signal levels low enough so that neither
the Clip nor Limit Active indicators are
blinking frequently or are on continuously. If
they are, turn down the input signal level to
avoid overheating the amplifiers.
A low power amplifier that is clipping
continuously will kill a speaker way
faster than a high power amplifier with
clean signal at twice or three times the
speaker’s rated capability.