Properly turning on/off my monitors

[steffeeH]

So I have a pair of Yamaha HS8's connected to an extension plug along with my computer and so on.

Until now, I've always turned on and off my speakers with the switch on the rear, but this is pretty tiresome as I have to twist one of the speakers every time to reach the power switch, meaning I have to re-adjust this speaker every time I turn it on.
So I wonder, do I really have to use the power switch, or can I keep them on all the time and just pull the extension plug out of the wall (I always do this before going to bed) to cut the power on them?

I mean they're studio monitors, they're designed to be used in spaces where they're difficult to reach (on mixing desks for instance), likewise I got the feeling that the workers in the music store where I bought them (people with much knowledge) rather just plugged them out than using the power switch when switching between different speakers to play music on when I was comparing different speakers.

Any thoughts?


By the way, now that we're on the subject, I have my monitors connected to a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 audio interface, and this interface is powered by my computer through USB.
And whenever the interface is switched on/off or I pull out the USB from the computer, or even the power cable from my computer, I get a small pop in the speakers - should I be worried about this in the long run?

[VitaminD]

I get the pop too hence I turn off the monitors first before ever turning off the audio interface (but that rarely gets unplugged). I am thinking though it is smart to keep them off when not in use (monitors) -- I ran a power check on one and (IIRC) saw it was drawing 60 watts! For one. That is equivalent to two incandescent light bulbs on all the time. Or maybe a handful of LED!

That pop though doesn't sound good.. Do we have any EE's or similarly versed people in the 'audience' that are willing to chime in and explain if this is or is not safe for the monitors?

[ere2learn]

Turn volume down on soundcard,then turn off speakers,synths,soundcards = no pops,go the opposite way when turning on

I wouldn't just plug them out of the wall

[2ZrgE]

So I have a pair of Yamaha HS8's connected to an extension plug along with my computer and so on.

Until now, I've always turned on and off my speakers with the switch on the rear, but this is pretty tiresome as I have to twist one of the speakers every time to reach the power switch, meaning I have to re-adjust this speaker every time I turn it on.
So I wonder, do I really have to use the power switch, or can I keep them on all the time and just pull the extension plug out of the wall (I always do this before going to bed) to cut the power on them?

I mean they're studio monitors, they're designed to be used in spaces where they're difficult to reach (on mixing desks for instance), likewise I got the feeling that the workers in the music store where I bought them (people with much knowledge) rather just plugged them out than using the power switch when switching between different speakers to play music on when I was comparing different speakers.

Any thoughts?


By the way, now that we're on the subject, I have my monitors connected to a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 audio interface, and this interface is powered by my computer through USB.
And whenever the interface is switched on/off or I pull out the USB from the computer, or even the power cable from my computer, I get a small pop in the speakers - should I be worried about this in the long run?

I use a plug socket with power switch to turn on/off my monitors. So I never have to use the monitor switches.

As I don't like that popping sound either I always turn off my monitors before any other device (and it's recommended that way in the instructions also).

[Shabdahbriah]

Turn volume down on soundcard, then turn off speakers, synths, soundcards = no pops, go the opposite way when turning on. I wouldn't just plug them out of the wall

This ^ and I would highly recommend, using at least a switchable power strip/overload protection, or a "decent" (enough) power conditioner, (exclusively) for your the amp/monitors:



shut 'that' off, after turning everything else down/off. [2c]

[Mister Natural]

I use a power strip - it's switch to power off the monitors.
No pops (unless I forget before turning the computer off)

[thecontrolcentre]

Always turn your monitors off first. Always turn the volume down before switching off. They should also be switched on last. Don't switch your audio interface off, or unplug the USB, or disconnect the monitors before they are switched off.

[maschinelf]

Definitely always turn the speakers on last and off first. But this is a good question, and makes me wonder, is it maybe a better practice to use a power switch to power on/off monitors and always leave the monitor power switch on, especially if you tend to use the power switch a few times per day?

Reason I'm asking is because power strips are cheap and easily replaceable but fixing a broken power switch on monitor speakers may require a lot more effort. My monitors have power switches on the front, so it's not an issue to turn them on/off, but I am asking more from the perspective of a longer life for the speakers.

[2ZrgE]

Definitely always turn the speakers on last and off first. But this is a good question, and makes me wonder, is it maybe a better practice to use a power switch to power on/off monitors and always leave the monitor power switch on, especially if you tend to use the power switch a few times per day?

Reason I'm asking is because power strips are cheap and easily replaceable but fixing a broken power switch on monitor speakers may require a lot more effort. My monitors have power switches on the front, so it's not an issue to turn them on/off, but I am asking more from the perspective of a longer life for the speakers.

That's exactly on of the reasons why I use power strips (not only for my monitors but also for my TV, amplifier, desk lamps, computer etc as well).

[maschinelf]

I'm running most of my audio equipment including synths and audio interface through ups, and the speakers with a separate pure sine wave ups. These could function as switches too, but they do a battery test when switched on, so I always turn my equipment on after the test. I do use power strips (not surge protectors) for some of this gear, but never thought of leaving the switches on the devices themselves always on.

Not sure I'd want to start doing it right away, but definitely something I'm going to look more into.

[steffeeH]

Sorry for the late response...

So I just got an extra extension plug that I've connected my monitors to.
To clarify what I mean with extension plug: http://www.beststuff.co.uk/store/image. ... T&id=17120

So now I will always keep the power switch to my monitors ON, and let the switch on the extension plug work as the main power switch instead.
This shouldn't be much difference on technical side right? I mean it's the same power switch, it's just that it happens before it reaches the monitor (I suppose the built-in power switches in the monitors cut the power right after it enters the speaker, before reaching any circuit board and such).

[maschinelf]

I looked more into this, and seems it's ok. Many people and professional studios have been doing it for years with no problem, with their audio interfaces, synths, monitors and other outboard. The only type of devices it is not recommended for are those that require a shutdown sequence or need some info to be written to a storage device before shutdown, which is completely logical and obvious.

It's in essence not very different from a power failure, as power to your device is abruptly cut off. Afaik, most audio equipment, including monitors and synths, are able to handle this. I remember reading when I was looking up upses that some people even suggested not running gear and especially monitors or anything with an amp through them, so in the event of power failures they actually thought it was preferable that they abruptly cut off rather than get power from the square wave or modified sine wave output of a ups. I still choose to use them because power failures and fluctuations are very frequent here, and also because they have some type of filtering built in.

Otoh, many people have been using the device switches directly for many years without a problem either. I may start using a power strip for some of my gear, like maybe the interface and monitors, but it seems the benefit is tiny and it won't make much difference from the point of view of longevity and wear and tear for the switch itself. I may write to a few manufacturers asking what they recommend, or if it makes a difference according to them. Definitely want to check more on the octatrack, since it involves a storage device.

From a convenience perspective though, like in OP's case, definitely no problem using a power strip for monitors.

[Jace-BeOS]

My HR824s power off on their own when there's no signal, and they have no front-mounted volume control, so i can't regulate any popping if there was any (there isn't, and i'm also doing that "correct order" thing). i have no idea how much power they use to sit on standbye. Since there IS a power switch on each unit, i presume there must be some current used to monitor the signal. It's a nice feature, but the problem is that the EMI in my area, or in the electrical system, creates a regular six second buzzing pulse (every few minutes) which sometimes wakes them up (you can hear this in all electronics with wire wrapping; any idea what it is??). So if i don't want to waste power (and further contribute to the HEAT building up in the room), i still have to manually switch them off.

i hate switching things on and off (so many damn switches), but there's not much else to do. i have some stuff on a switchable Isobar, mostly to deal with vampire loads, but the monitors are on opposite sides of my room. Starting and stopping my studio activity is like a clumsy dance where i move dust covers and switch things, while leaning precariously over racks and shelves.

[jadonx]

I see this an old post, I have been powering off my hs5 monitors from the mains supply box for about 4 years now and they still are working and sound fine.
I have just bought the hs8s subwoofer(wish I had sooner) and now wonder if this will also be OK to turn off by the mains as the switch at the back is a pain to crawl down and get at?

If OK to do I would still turn it on after the audio interface, then the hs5's after the sub.
Would be better if all three could be turned on/off from the same power surge power block.

[BertKoor]

I have just bought the hs8s subwoofer(wish I had sooner) and now wonder if this will also be OK to turn off by the mains as the switch at the back is a pain to crawl down and get at?

What does the switch on a power strip do? It switches off the power.
Now guess what the switch on the subwoofer itself does: it switches off the power!
So this is totally OK.

If OK to do I would still turn it on after the audio interface, then the hs5's after the sub.
Would be better if all three could be turned on/off from the same power surge power block.

Better, as in preventing wearing it down? That makes no difference.
Easier? Totally! I have one power strip with everything connected to it. So easy...