How much power do active speakers consume when they are idle?

dirtydog · 23-07-2009, 14:05

Having just bought some active monitors this week I'm just wondering how much they are costing me if I leave them on all the time. The one containing the amp is hot to the touch at the rear, so is apparently using a fair bit of power even when it's silent?

I realise it's gonna use something but this is so hot I'm wondering if this is normal

I can't find any reference to power consumption in the user guide. (They are 2 x 15w speakers but that doesn't mean they use a max of 30w of electricity)

Rich_L · 23-07-2009, 14:25

I reckon it might only be 10 watts or so, but the heat is coming from the step-down transformer which I assume is part of the amp, even to supply a bit of power it still generates a decent amount of heat in the process I'd imagine.

That sounds a bit iffy though, I'm surprised you don't have one of those electricity meter plugs, only cost a fiver or so don't they?

dirtydog · 23-07-2009, 14:37

More like £20 I think. It would be interesting to see what various things use though (eg. how much my CPU uses default vs overclocked which I gather can be quite a lot.)

It isn't too hot to touch by any means but it is hot. So long as it isn't faulty and doesn't unduly increase my electric bill there's no problem - I expect it is okay on both counts.

SidewinderINC · 05-08-2009, 21:00

2x15W, damn I wonder how much juice my active monitors take up when at idle....

dirtydog · 06-08-2009, 03:53

What do you have, then?

SidewinderINC · 06-08-2009, 07:17

M-Audio BX5's

2x 70W (40W LF amp, 30W HF amp per speaker)

dirtydog · 06-08-2009, 08:03

Nice. I would have got something more powerful myself but as I live in a flat I wouldn't be able to use the extra power much so it would have been a waste.

Will · 06-08-2009, 09:41

Because they use transformers they will always get hot and use up some power as the capacitors and amp circuits will constantly be charging disharging to a certain amount. Certainly if they are being used heavily they will heat up more. When installing on the yachts we always retrofitted huge heatsinks and added a/c to the cavities in the recesses where the heat is generated. If you want less heat get bigger heatsinks it won't reduce the power consumption though.

23-07-2009, 14:05	#1
dirtydog Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 221	How much power do active speakers consume when they are idle? Having just bought some active monitors this week I'm just wondering how much they are costing me if I leave them on all the time. The one containing the amp is hot to the touch at the rear, so is apparently using a fair bit of power even when it's silent? I realise it's gonna use something but this is so hot I'm wondering if this is normal I can't find any reference to power consumption in the user guide. (They are 2 x 15w speakers but that doesn't mean they use a max of 30w of electricity)

23-07-2009, 14:25	#2
Rich_L Dr Cocktapuss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seven Sizzles Posts: 1,044	I reckon it might only be 10 watts or so, but the heat is coming from the step-down transformer which I assume is part of the amp, even to supply a bit of power it still generates a decent amount of heat in the process I'd imagine. That sounds a bit iffy though, I'm surprised you don't have one of those electricity meter plugs, only cost a fiver or so don't they? __________________

05-08-2009, 21:00	#4
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	2x15W, damn I wonder how much juice my active monitors take up when at idle.... __________________ No Sig.

06-08-2009, 07:17	#6
SidewinderINC Joey Tempest Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gravesend. Posts: 2,751	M-Audio BX5's 2x 70W (40W LF amp, 30W HF amp per speaker) __________________ No Sig.

06-08-2009, 09:41	#8
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	Because they use transformers they will always get hot and use up some power as the capacitors and amp circuits will constantly be charging disharging to a certain amount. Certainly if they are being used heavily they will heat up more. When installing on the yachts we always retrofitted huge heatsinks and added a/c to the cavities in the recesses where the heat is generated. If you want less heat get bigger heatsinks it won't reduce the power consumption though. __________________ *No No!*

23-07-2009, 14:37	#3
dirtydog Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 221	More like £20 I think. It would be interesting to see what various things use though (eg. how much my CPU uses default vs overclocked which I gather can be quite a lot.) It isn't too hot to touch by any means but it is hot. So long as it isn't faulty and doesn't unduly increase my electric bill there's no problem - I expect it is okay on both counts.

06-08-2009, 03:53	#5
dirtydog Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 221	What do you have, then?

06-08-2009, 08:03	#7
dirtydog Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 221	Nice. I would have got something more powerful myself but as I live in a flat I wouldn't be able to use the extra power much so it would have been a waste.