HELP!

[admin_exported]

Hi everyone,

Im new to the site and quite new to amp and speaker set ups, so some patience may be required

Heres my story, i'll try and keep it short:

I have a large garage where I have regular parties at high volumes and long durations. I had a Pioneer Midi system for this which would cope with being at high volume at long periods of time, it did so for around three years and is still working.

I decided to 'upgrade' to an amplifier and speaker system for better quality sound so decided I bought a Yamaha AS500 and two Mordant Short Aviano 2 speakers. I am supplying the music through a laptop via a headphone jack cable with pre out ends to the amp.

I set it all up correctly to instructions, and organised a party. After about 2-3 hours of running the set up (around half way-three quarters...but never anywhere near MAX) the amp cut out. I assumed it had overheated. So turned back on at lower volume.

A few days after the party, I turned the amp back on and the sound quality had all but disappeared and everytime I turned it up to about half way it would cut out again.

Assuming that there was a problem with the amp, I took it back to the supplier and they sent it to Yamaha to be repaired. A few weeks later it returned, I tried it out and the same happened again!

To completely rule out the amp, I returned it to the supplier and exchanged it for a Marrantz 6004, took it home and tried it...yes, youve guessed it, speakers still sounded rubbish and amp would still cut out.

I checked and double checked all connections, then tried out some other old speakers which worked fine and the Amp did not cut out! (before you say it, yes I know I should have tried this originally!)

With the speakers in the firing line, but not visibly damaged externally, I dismantled the speakers from their enclosure to find melted plastic over the orange coils (capacitors?)so I guess Ive worked them too hard and fried them?

So, in a nutshell, im looking for a pair of speakers to pair up with the Marrantz, that will be able to cope with high volume for long periods of time....

Or...

Am I asking too much for a £300 amp and £250 speakers to be able to cope with these parties and should i be looking at a completely different set up?

I know there maybe some info that I havent included above so I will answer any questions you may have to try and find out what I need to do. Thanks in advance.

Matt

 

[The_Lhc]

Go to Maplins and buy some of their cheap PA kit, it'll go loud enough to make your ears bleed and, if you listen to it through a couple of solid walls, will actually sound quite reasonable as well...

 

[Paul.]

You need to be looking at pro PA stuff rather than hifi

 

[relocated]

On a more serious note, if you want better quality sound yet stand up to a battering, have a look at actives from a pro-sound dealer. They should be able to point you in the right direction and if it is, all party in a garage presumably you are not restricted by how it looks so domestic integration won't hinder your choices.

It must be a complete joy to have you as a neighbour.

 

[chebby]

You've already got the answer to your problem. The Pioneer midi system that you used to use for parties for three years that still works.

 

[ID.]

around half way-three quarters...but never anywhere near MAX

Just for reference purposes so you don't blow your next amp/speakers half way is max on most hi fi amps (particularly when run from a source like a CD or your computer).

In fact you'd probably be getting some distortion and risking damage to the amp even at half way, and 3/4 you're just asking for trouble.