What is clipping?

Question

Answer:

Clipping is one form of distortion that occurs when an amplifier is overdriven, which happens when it attempts to increase voltage or current beyond its limits.

When an amplifier is asked to create a signal greater than its maximum capacity, it will amplify the signal only up to its maximum capacity, at which point the signal will be amplified no further. As the signal simply "cuts" or "clips" at the maximum capacity of the amplifier, the signal is said to be "clipped." The extra signal which is beyond the capability of the amplifier is simply cut off, resulting in a fixed signal. Note that this fixed signal suffers from other forms of distortion, such as total harmonic distortion.

Because the clipped waveform has more area underneath it than the smaller unclipped waveform, the amplifier produces more power in clipping. This extra power can damage any part of the loudspeaker, including the woofer or the tweeter.

Learn it, know it, be it.

Additionally:

The clipping introduces additional high frequency components, meaning the clipped signal will be weighted more towards treble than the unclipped signal. Some people believe this additional treble weighting is dangerous to tweeters. Others believe that it is not dangerous, noting that normal music recordings sometimes have significant treble energy and yet don't damage tweeters.

Underpowering a sub, does not cause clipping.

My question is if you answer these types of question, can you answer them correctly?

Answer 1

hi:
almost everyone assumes that amplifier clipping is the sole domain of power amplifiers? This is not true. A preamplifier is just as prone to clipping as power amplifiers. If the level of signal is high enough to cause the preamplifier to clip, the power amplifier being a faithful servant will just amplify the clipped signal it receives For the purposes of this discussion we will assume that our amplifier/preamplifier models use a bi-polar power ngative power supply output We shall also assume that the electronic building blocks are in the form of operational amplifiers WITH negative feedback. Op-amps as they are called, are TWO input ONE output building blocks. Input is to either positive or negative ports and feedback is taken from the output and returned to the (-) input

Clipping is the arch enemy of speakers especially higher frequency drivers It is probably the biggest cause of speaker failure.
The result of the speaker cone “spending” too much time at one end of its travel will cause voice coil overheating, deformity of the cone/spider assembly. Another effect of amplifier clipping is that harmonics are generated from the fundamental. Assume a 100Hz wave is being clipped. Harmonics at 200Hz, 300Hz, 400Hz, etc are generated. As the harmonic number increases, its amplitude decreases. The amplitude of these higher frequency harmonics is determined by how hard the amplifier clips at the fundamental frequency.

Because high frequency drivers are fragile as compared to high power low frequency and midrange drivers, they are more susceptible to damage. These high frequency harmonics do not generally damage low frequency drivers but this is not always 100% true.


sparky i need your help look at pontiac radio display question TY

Answer 2

Very good. But there is more to it.

When a waveform is clipped, as viewed on a scope, the top of the waveform is clipped, straight across, turning what was once a sine wave into square wave.

Speakers don't like to see square wave at any level of current and can be damaged when operating within their capacity by an amp that is clipping.

Harmonic distortion produces distortion different from clipping. But, it is important to know which. 1st, 3rd, 7th harmonic, etc. Not all are destructive, but investment in equipment with respectable common mode rejection will reduce harmonic distortion, improving the specs on "total harmonic distortion".

The best way to aviod problems is determine what the max SPL (sound pressure level) is to be, then make sure the amp has the headroom to achieve it and that the speakers have a high spec for "sensitivity" as well as and in addition to power handling.

Don't really know car audio, but I am wanting to learn. I have owned and operated Pegasus Pro Sound Services, a sound reinforcement company, for several years and am looking to broaden my horizons.

IM me. I think I can learn a thing or two.

Answer 3

Cut-out is one type of twisting that happens when an enhancer is overdriven, which happens when it endeavors to build voltage or current past its points of confinement.

At the point when an enhancer is requested that make a flag more prominent than its most extreme limit, it will intensify the flag just up to its greatest limit, and soon thereafter the flag will be increased no further. As the flag basically "cuts" or "clasps" at the most extreme limit of the intensifier, the flag is said to be "cut." The additional flag which is past the capacity of the enhancer is essentially cut off, bringing about a settled flag. Take note of this settled flag experiences different types of contortion, for example, add up to symphonious bending.