5 Tips to Make Your Speaker Last a Lifetime [+1 Bonus!] (2024)

Did you know that a good pair of loudspeakers can last decades or even a lifetime? That's right, with proper care and maintenance, you can keep that sweet sound going for years to come.

Speakers lasting forever is especially true for passive loudspeakers since they don't have any technological limits like firmware updates. You can add a passive loudspeaker to any system at any time and enjoy the high-quality soundscape you deserve even several years from now.

But whether you have passive or active speakers, these tips will help you keep your audio system at the top of the game for all time!

1. Dust Be Gone

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Dust is possible the most destructive enemy of any speaker. It infiltrates your wire connectors where the wire and metal meet, disrupting the electrical signals and adding annoying noise to your system's sound. Not to mention dust can also damage your wiring and ruin the effectiveness of your speaker.

So how do you fight off dust? Regular cleaning using dust pads, dry cloths, air canisters, and vacuum cleaners. Just make sure to avoid damaging the cone drivers or tweeters, and never, EVER, use any liquids.

You can also place your speakers in a room with minimal dust or store them in a protective case when not in use.

2. Heat, Go Away

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Another danger to your speakers is heat, which primarily comes from exposure to the sun. If left in direct sunlight, your speakers can overheat and damage the electromagnetic voice coils and totally ruin your sound.

The best way to avoid heat is to keep your speakers away from any windows and avoid direct sunlight. Don't forget to keep your speakers away from any hot areas in your home like fireplaces, heaters, and vents. And if your speaker has vent holes, make sure to keep them free of obstructions.

Pro Tip: If you have outdoor speakers, keep them in a shady spot with minimal to no sun exposure.

3. Lose the Static

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You might not think it, but your speakers can build up static electricity, especially if it sits on the carpet. Which is not a good thing — static electricity can burn out your system!

To avoid burnout, you'll need to invest in anti-static floor mats for your carpets or move your speakers to a non-carpeted area. You also need to avoid placing your speakers on any metals that are magnetic conductors or near any magnetic source.

If you live in a dry climate, you can try placing a humidifier in the room to lessen static building. Just don't place it too close to your speakers!

4. Get Some Air

Every one of your speakers needs adequate airflow so that they can cool down as they play (remember, too much heat is bad!). While some audiophiles will have fans blowing on them to keep them cool, you can also try placing your speakers several inches away from the walls or tight spaces. And if you have bookshelf speakers, you can place them on a stand instead of in a crowded bookcase.

With good airflow, you'll even improve your sound quality and have less distortion due to vibrations and overheating!

5. Block the Power

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No matter if you have active or passive speakers, you need to control how your system gets power. You never know when a power surge will occur, and if not adequately protected, the surge will damage the components in your music source or powered speakers.

So, to avoid any damage, plug your system into a surge protector strip or voltage regulator.

Bonus: When the Cold Is Too Cold

While heat is a negative factor, so is dampness and cold. When temperatures drop too low, you risk condensation building up within the speaker terminals and causing a short circuit that instantly damages your speakers.

But not to worry; so long as you don't plug your speaker in and turn it on while it's cold, you can avoid this. And if you can, make sure to store your speakers in a temperature-regulated area (avoid storing them in the garage!).

Pro Tip: If you want to turn your speaker on after it's been cold, let it sit completely turned off and unplugged for a couple of hours until it reaches room temperature.

Ready for New Speakers?

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If you follow these essential tips, you'll have no trouble making your speakers last a lifetime. But if your current speakers aren't the best quality or if you don't have a complete system, our selection of speakers has what you need! Take a look at our online catalog or visit your local DAVE and see what we have.

Have any questions about your sound? Give us a call — our expert team is happy to guide you!

5 Tips to Make Your Speaker Last a Lifetime [+1 Bonus!] (2024)

FAQs

5 Tips to Make Your Speaker Last a Lifetime [+1 Bonus!]? ›

Regular cleaning using dust pads, dry cloths, air canisters, and vacuum cleaners. Just make sure to avoid damaging the cone drivers or tweeters, and never, EVER, use any liquids. You can also place your speakers in a room with minimal dust or store them in a protective case when not in use.

How to make speakers last a long time? ›

Regular cleaning using dust pads, dry cloths, air canisters, and vacuum cleaners. Just make sure to avoid damaging the cone drivers or tweeters, and never, EVER, use any liquids. You can also place your speakers in a room with minimal dust or store them in a protective case when not in use.

Can speakers last a lifetime? ›

According to experts, speakers can last for up to 20 years or even a lifetime if they are correctly maintained. However, the lifespan of speakers is affected by several factors, including the quality of the components, frequency of use, and environmental conditions.

How do I get the most out of my speakers? ›

Move your speakers at least 2-3 feet away from the nearest wall. This will minimize sound reflections, which can negatively impact playback clarity. Adjust speaker angle (toe-in). Angle your speakers inward so they're pointed towards the listener - more specifically, at a point directly behind the listener's head.

What is the useful life of speakers? ›

Active speakers have smaller lifespan than passive ones, they typically last 5-7 years, while passives can practically last a lifetime.

Can heat damage speakers? ›

No matter how much power your amplifier produces, if you choose a set of speakers primarily on them being a lower-cost option, they are more than likely going to be incredibly easy to damage with high volumes. Low-quality speakers can generate a lot of heat, which can cause harm to their internal components.

Does dust damage speakers? ›

Dust damage: Most electronics are vulnerable to dust, and particles getting inside your speaker can slowly decrease its lifespan. To protect your speakers from dust damage, you can create a regular a cleaning routine and practice sticking to it.

Do speakers burn out? ›

Thermal speaker failure occurs when a speaker is subjected to excessive power like volume or added bass, causing sensitive interior components to melt or burn. Accidental or thoughtless use of an audio system outside the safety margins is the most common cause of mechanical and thermal failures.

Do old speakers sound bad? ›

Your old speaker set will use up a lot of energy to produce lower quality sounds. Conversely, newer models make the most out of every wattage of power by producing more decibels per watt used. The presentation of speaker systems has also witnessed significant change.

Do speakers get quieter with age? ›

Does the sound of loudspeakers, used normally at home, change with age? Yes. Woofer surrounds can degrade for one. It all depends on the type of construction but yes.

How can I boost my speakers? ›

General Way to Make a Speaker Louder
  1. Place It on The Floor. ...
  2. Check The Room Area. ...
  3. Place It Against a Wall or Close to The Corner of the Room. ...
  4. Connecting to Multiple Bluetooth Speakers - PartyCast.
Aug 1, 2023

How to position 5.1 speakers? ›

5.1 surround sound. In a 5.1 system your surround speakers are best placed to the left and right of your listening position. Space them apart the same distance as your front speakers (or a little wider), and face them toward you.

How do you break in speakers fast? ›

The best way to break in your speakers is through music, but you should play something with a wide dynamic range and deep bass. It is generally recommended that you play your bass speakers at moderate volumes for at least 20-30 hours long to break in speakers before cranking them up to max volume.

What makes a good speaker? ›

A good public speaker researches the people they will be speaking to and tailors the content and approach accordingly. Whether you're speaking in front of a small group or focused on particular leaders within your business, consider the individuals and how they process and react to information.

What is the lifetime of speakers? ›

Some speakers can die within 5 years, some can still go strong for over 100. Take the surround edges of a speaker into consideration.

How do I keep my speakers on time? ›

Give your speakers their allotted time for the presentations. Also, give the speaker their start and stop times. For example, if a speaker is to talk for 25 minutes, you give them their window: 11:00am to 11:25am. Finally, have a “time's up” mechanism to let your speakers know when they've run over a bit.

Do speakers degrade over time? ›

Under normal use, the sound of a brand new speaker actually improves as its suspension loosens up over time. But materials and components like glues, cones, diaphragms, surrounds and spiders deteriorate with time due to environmental conditions and other factors such as overpowering or overheating.

How do I keep my speakers in good condition? ›

5 Things Every Audiophile Does to Make Sure Their Speakers Last a Lifetime
  1. Fight the dust. Dust is the number one enemy of loudspeakers. ...
  2. Keep away from windows. Keep loudspeakers away from the windows and out of direct sunlight. ...
  3. Address static electricity. ...
  4. Make sure there's proper ventilation. ...
  5. Protect against power surges.
Apr 5, 2024

How do you spoil loud speakers? ›

You will have to do it surrepticiously. Connect a high capacity 12V battery across the 'speakers terminals. That should burn out the coils. Or simply rip out their cones.

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