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December 16, 2007 - 11:40am
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Loud Speaker Question...Cold Weather.
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I stongly doubt that any consumer electronics intended for in-home use is designed to withstand let alone operate at sub-zero temperatures. Based on your love for "kick in the chest" bass, I'll bet you've got some large woofers in your system. I hate to think what would happen trying to drive a bass whack through those woofers when the surrounds are frozen.
Your point is well taken thanks for the reply.
I do not have extremly high end equipment. But that is still not an excuse for practicing improper handeling. I was hoping some one was going to say that this will not hurt it any. However, I'm not blind to the fact that these extreme temps can cause a good deal of senseless wear.
After looking at the picture gallery, (which is hugely impressive) I completely feel my equipment is way sub-par compared to a few of the regulars on here.
I'm guessing my best bet is to either get it in the house. Or simply not use it during this time?
Great question. I don't know the answer. All of our equipment can be shipped in cold and in heat. The temperature alone won't hurt anything.
I have used some older equipment in my attached but unheated garage for years (CD player, amplification, speakers) and everything seems perfectly fine.
We see everything from 30 below to 100 here.
I would be hesitant to subject cold speakers to loud thumping bass and I wouldn't want to shock frozen tubes into operating, but other than this I would be willing to consider it.
Thank you Elk.
I'm sorta getting the idea I'm in a pickel. Speakers should not be sub-jected to the extreme cold, and components probably should be kept warmer. This all started when I was wondering if the liquid would freeze up. But I'm now seeing the benifits of just simply keeping it all in the house.
I'm guessing with the heating and cooling of the internals, condensation could become an issue if suraface mount components start rusting. Maybe I'm reading in to this to much?
Condensation can be an issue if something cold is subjected to a sudden change to warm. Lots of portable recording equipment advises letting the unit warm up before using it under these circumstances.
Condensation is less of an issue of the temperature change is gradual.
All in all, I would feel better keeping good stuff in the house - but I don't think the cold onto itself is going to harm anything.
I'd say you need to keep things at least above freezing but ideally over 50 if you're intending to use anything. If it's just going to be in storage then wrap everything up in plastic and put them in boxes off the ground. I'm not sure what would happen to some of the internal parts, or rubber surrounds in woofers. Some materials really aren't meant for these conditions. That's why you have the certain equipment built to stand extreme cold, or extreme hot for that matter. Don't think your gear does not deserve it just because it's not crazy expensive!
Thank you for the reply dbowker.
I totally agree. I really do want to get it all in the house.... it is just a question of space. Plus I can not have it set up in the house either. But it is better than losing it all to the weather.
Thanks for the answers guys.
Doug