Audible distortion in quality loudspeakers is rare within intended limits

Evidence

In the abundant small, inexpensive, limited bandwidth loudspeakers in the marketplace, non-linear distortions may be heard when they are pushed hard, although many of them have protective schemes in the electronics that limit the sound output to avoid distortion. However, among mainstream hi-fi, audiophile, and studio monitor loudspeakers, audible distortion is rare if the loudspeakers are used within the intended limits. In the engineering of quality loudspeaker systems, power compression and non-linear behavior are routinely factored into the selection of drivers, crossover design, etc. If there are problems, they are likely only to occur when the systems are driven to their limits. At this point, one’s ears may be non-linear and hearing may be at risk. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 111

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 111
• XREF: connects to: Loudspeakers at high power and low frequencies become highly nonlinear. — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 353; Distortion rarely drives subjective ratings of consumer loudspeakers; Clean amplifier clipping is inaudible until waveforms lose over half their amplitude — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1792 (+1 more)