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Do equalisers damage MBP speakers?

P

PurpleIsAFruit

macrumors member
Original poster
May 26, 2020
49
45
I have the 2020 13’ Base MBP and have found the audio from the internal speakers quite underwhelming when using sites like Netflix. Especially compared to the 12’ MacBook I’ve come from.

Some recommend using a sound booster like the one Boom 3D offers, but I have no interest in this as it could blow the speakers.

Another feature on Boom 3D is the equalisation which is something different from volume boosting, from what I understand. Does anyone know how safe it is to use an equaliser to improve sound quality? I’ve tried it and it definitely makes a noticeable difference for the better, but I don’t want to continue using it if it poses any risk to the speakers.

If anyone has any knowledge or tips on this subject I’d be grateful to get your advice. Thanks.
 
It could if you pump it and distort it for a while. Usually you can increase the volume and get some distortion, that is not bad. But if you go heavy metal you could burn the diaphragm. Audio is a sine wave, the speaker moves back and forward depending on the vibration it receives. If you pump the amp and start distorting, the sine wave becomes a square wave = DC current. You are throwing the diaphragm 100% out and 100% to the back. To much mechanic movement and heat and pum! It will end up sounding distorted.

But that will happen if you really trash the speaker like that, not with casual sound. I have an amplifier in my browser, I go 400% when watching movies and (top is 600%) and it works just fine, little distortion/saturation unless you are watching a war movie or something to saturated. Quick answer: you can use what ever you want with common sense.
 
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PurpleIsAFruit said:
I have the 2020 13’ Base MBP and have found the audio from the internal speakers quite underwhelming when using sites like Netflix. Especially compared to the 12’ MacBook I’ve come from.
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I recommend an external speaker set with a bass booster rather than use an equalizer. As stated, too much on the high end or low end can damage the rather delicate speakers in your MacBook Pro.

The disadvantage of an external sound system is that you can't carry it along with you as you're out and about. But it will sound great while at home. :)
 
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