underpowering subs = damage?

JBL offers this article: http://www.jblpro.com/pub/technote/lowpower.pdf

Eastern Acooustic Works: http://www.eaw.com/support/pdf/AmplifierPower.pdf

"Manufacturers will tell you that the majority of loudspeaker failures encountered by their service department are the result of improper power matching. It might seem logical to use a smaller amplifier as a safety measure; after all, it stands to reason that there won't be enough power to damage the loudspeaker. Yet they see many more loudspeaker failures due to under powering than any other cause. When the amplifier exceeds its maximum voltage capability, it can "clip" the peaks off the electrical signal it is supplying." courtesy of EAW and Keith Clark of Pro Sound Web.     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matching Amps To Speakers One of the topics I’m asked about most concerns matching power amplifiers to loudspeakers. The majority of loudspeaker failures encountered by our service department are the result of improperly powered loudspeakers. "Some may consider using a smaller amplifier as a safety measure, reasoning that they will not have enough power to damage the loudspeaker. Yet we see many more problems due to under-powering than any other cause. When the amplifier exceeds its maximum voltage capability, it "clips" the peaks off the electrical signal. Once the amplifier starts clipping, the RMS level rises and can approach peak level, meaning that your 200-watt amplifier is approaching delivery of 800 watts of nasty, distorted power." courtesy of Paul Carelli (EAW) Also found manufactures who will not warrenty products that have been Over or Under Powered. under

It's semantics.  People say "under powered" when they mean the amplifier rating is less than the speaker rating.  But the truth is that the only thing that can damage a loudspeaker is supplying it with more power than it can handle.  The amplifier rating means nothing when the amp is clipping.  Operating an amplifier that is rated at less than the speaker handling capability is 100% safe AND preferable as long as the amplifier is not clipping.  It is idiots who don't know what they are doing who cause amplifiers to clip.Support the12volt.com