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totemacoustic.com
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
No sound:
Verify that your pre-amp and/or amplifier, and receiver are plugged into the AC PLUG and
are turned on. Verify that the wall AC outlet is functional and that your system is not on mute.
Sound from one speaker only:
Verify the balance control on your system. Swap speaker sides to verify
if speaker is functional. Verify power cords on all sources. (Amplifier, preamp, receiver, CD, DVR)
Lack of bass or image:
Verify the polarity of speaker connections.
AMPLIFIER DISTORTION
The most common source of speaker damage results from amplifier distortion. Your amplifier may run out
of clean power upon listening at loud levels. A direct consequence of such an overuse is distorted power,
producing a greater quantity of distortion than its rated output power. This provides a threat of damage
to any loudspeaker.
The greater the amplifier power, the safer the loudness potential. A 50 watt/channel amplifier, if driven
above this 50 watt/channel limit, will naturally produce multiplicatively more distortion than at 50 watts.
A 120 watt/channel amplifier will have substantial distortion above 120 watts, but will not allow any
significant distortion below 100 watts. To conclude, more amplifier power provides cleaner power and
less possibility for damage.
VOLUME
Volume controls on the amplifier/ receiver/preamplifier are very misleading. Please note that the volume
control does not address power-output, but simply adjusts the audible level of music. It is the type of music
being played that has an incidence on the amount of power used at a given volume level. Less dynamic
music utilizes lesser amplifier power than more dynamic music does. With most music, the amplifier
reaches its maximum power between the 11 and 1 o’clock position on the volume dial.
Distortion is inevitable when the amplifier is pushed above its rated output level, which may result in
speaker damage. This occurs with any type of speaker. This type of damage constitutes abuse and may
not be covered by warranty. Be attentive to the instant distortion commences, turning the volume control
down to prevent speaker and/or amplifier damage.
LIMITS
Be wary of providing more power than is appropriate for your speakers and damaging them. Although
a more powerful amplifier may provide better sound, it is very important to utilize speakers within their
power-range rating to prevent damage.
