Installed in '03 Ford Mustang Mach-1
Alpine cda-9811 hu
Alpine MRV-F540 (benched at 89w/ch RMS)
Alpine MRD-M500
Polk MM1024 (x 2)
JBL GTO8626 6x8 coaxials (rear) rated at 60 w/ch RMS
JBL GTO8606c 6x8 components (front) rated at 70 w/ch RMS

When I did the install and got everything all setup the system sounded great
(although a bit bright). Now I'm an old phart that likes to crank it
(anything from AC/DC to Kid Rock - and anything in-between), but not to the
point of clipping. Amp input gains are set fairly low.

Anyhow, like I said, I like to crank it - It's very possible that I have
(once or twice) exceeded the RMS ratings on the speakers - and the MRV-540
has a ton of headroom... very possible I have exceeded the the maximum
power ratings of the speakers as well.

So I'm not sure if I'm going crazy...but it seems to me the sound quality
has degraded over the past few weeks...to the point that I don't think that
anything seems to sound good... It's still loud as ever...but it seems that
the guitar parts just don't project like they did before... lots of highs,
lots of bass - but "not much" in the middle... it's loud, just not a lot of
presence...and things sound a bit "lispy" if that makes any sense.

The question is... How can you tell if your speakers are blown? I mean,
it's obvious if the tweets just quit, or crackle all the time...or the
mid-bass just quits working... but can speakers be "damaged" by being
overdriven (but not with clipping mind you)...and just degrade sound-wise
over a period of time?

Thanks,

--
Gary
pick my nose to reply