Speakers (monitors) and integrated limiters.

[cutcat]

I've got my Edifier monitor speakers because they are small and neutral/reference.
But when I push them to the limits, I hear crazy compression acting very strangely. It sounds like peaks randomly squashed and long release. Very long release resulting in choking rather than reasonable compression. I hear very annoying volume dips for no apparent reason.
What is going on? Yes, they where cheap but Ive owned many Hifi speakers and I never had this weird problem. They (speakers) just got tired and needed more energy from the amplifier) didnt ever engage in this bizarre compression.
Is this kind of usual nowadays or just a broken product?

[WackyZoundz]

But when I push them to the limits

Stop pushing them to the limits. No speaker sounds good in that case.

[thecontrolcentre]

But when I push them to the limits, I hear crazy compression acting very strangely.

Why are you pushing them to the limit? What's the point exactly?
If they're not loud enough for you get some better monitors.

Are you using the monitor or the hifi setting?

[WackyZoundz]

Speakers (just like their amps) should always be overdimensionized so you never end up pushing then to the limits. This reduces not only distortion but also makes them last longer as well.

[BertKoor]

Edifier monitor speakers

What model exactly? So we can look up some technical details...

Ive owned many Hifi speakers and I never had this weird problem. They (speakers) just got tired and needed more energy from the amplifier) didnt ever engage in this bizarre compression.
Is this kind of usual nowadays or just a broken product?

For how long have you had them now?

Regular hifi speakers are passive, which means you connect them to a hifi amp which delivers the power. All straight-forward plain components, no surprises. But then you need to think about (power) dimensions: a 100W amp feeding a 10W speaker will fry the speaker, and a 10W amp feeding a 100W speaker will make you use a region of the amp where it doesn't perform at its best as well.

These monitoring speakers are active, which means the amp sits in the speaker cabinet. The manufacturer has thought about the dimensions of amp & speaker. If these monitors are rated at, for example, 10W peak: that is going to be far less when measured as RMS (average power) and just not suitable for having them loud enough for the neighbours to complain.

The latest trend is that they put some DSP in it. The brochure will tell you. Not only is it there to enhance the frequency response of the speaker cabinets, but possibly also to protect the hardware or make it appear louder.

It is possible that yours have always acted this way, but only now you notice. Perhaps the power supply is acting up.

If your 'return within x days no questions asked' period is not over yet, I'd return them and pick other monitors that can go as loud as you want without sweating.


NB: I'd discourage listening to loud music for prolonged periods. Not only to save your ears, but your productions will be better if you work at lower volumes.

[lfm]

If specs say 10W it's probably music power and more like 1W rms continuous or so.

Amp is probably sagging it's voltage as you get closer to max limit.
- symptoms you described says so
- voltage down and it will be audible compression as result

Alternative is that amp breaks and fuses too and product gone.

Handle with care.....especially cheap stuff....

[cutcat]

To "stop pushing them" comments, you should read my question. My question was about behavior of a speaker when pushed to the limits.
BertKoor, its Edifier MR4. Thanks for the actual explanation of what may be the case.
Speakers are new, It's hard not to notice.

[BertKoor]

Digital Signal Processor
The MR4 adopts TI high quality ADC (analog-to-digital converter) chipset, SNR up to 99dB, with TI digital power amplifier TAS5713, and the use of its built-in DSP to complete sound adjustment, to ensure excellent performance under dual mode.

Dual Mode Sound Effect
With the special dual-mode sound effect, the user can choose monitor mode to listen to a true audio you are creating for music production, or to switch to music mode for a daily music listening experience.

Specification
Total Output Power (RMS): 21W + 21W

Hmmm... Not really overpowered nor underpowered for modest volume listening.

You can try this to minimise the effects of the built-in DSP:

• put it in 'monitor' mode (front led = red) since that seems to be 'transparent' (but nowhere is it explained what the other setting really does to the sound)
• turn up the volume all the way, so it is not likely it will compress/limit the input signal
• turn down the 'master' volume fader of your interface or of your DAW, and use that to control the volume

Try experimenting with these settings (because there ain't anything else) whether they make a difference.

[cutcat]

1.Speakers are always in "monitor" mode (red). That's why I bought them.
2. Turning up the (all the way up) volume is producing strange random compression.
3. There are no problems when Im making music (Ableton) since I dont need to drive them hard.
The problem appears only when I send message to my loud Turkish neighbors, there are people listening better music. Living in Germany.
It gets worse with volume.

[WackyZoundz]

To "stop pushing them" comments, you should read my question.

You could have included all the following information (Model, behavior) in your opening post but you didn't. If you don't provide enough information right away it's a lot harder to help.

Based on what is known now it can be concluded that the included limiter is meant to protect the speakers from damage caused by feedback which explains the unusual long release time. If there is no way to deactivate/bypass the limiter you have to either lower the volume or get new speakers.

[cutcat]

You don't need the name of the speakers to be productive as BertKoor is. There are general conformities in all speakers groups. Experienced person knows what can be wrong or right.
Im an IT guy and when you say that some thing is wrong when you do that or this, I can generally tell you what could be the cause of that not needing the name of every component of your maschine. Why? Because Ive seen that kind of behavior many times.

[WackyZoundz]

There are general conformities in all speakers groups.

No. Digital limiters (especially with long release times) are still a rare feature in monitors. Such speakers sound very different from standard speakers which simply overdrive if going too hard on them. There are also differences between passive and active speakers like in this case as well (Example: Amp not providing enough power which causes its own type of distortion and can even destroy both amp and speakers).

[Uncle E]

You don't need the name of the speakers to be productive as BertKoor is.

True, but without that information, we couldn't know that your speakers have built-in DSP. Anyway, your speakers are not broken, it's the DSP.

[BertKoor]

Speakers are always in "monitor" mode (red). That's why I bought them.

The problem appears only when I send message to my loud Turkish neighbors, there are people listening better music. Living in Germany.

I know exactly what you mean.
Did I mention something about neighbours earlier? I must be psychic.

So your neighbours must listen to compressed music then. Good thing it"s not for yourself

[cutcat]

There are general conformities in all speakers groups.
Exceptions proves the rules.
Just be useful, please?!