I have a very simple set-up in my room that consists of a pair of nearfield monitors and a subwoofer. No mixer consoles, no midi keyboards, just my computer and audio interface. So I have my monitors and sub plugged into their own designated surge protector that I power on/off whenever I need to use my speakers. 

Most people with studios will power on their entire system, including their monitors, to use for a long mixing session, then power everthing off. But for me, there are a lot of times when I turn my speakers on/off frequently, since I basically use my monitors as normal computer speakers (watching videos, playing games, etc) when I am not mixing or making music.

I leave the power switches on the back of my monitors and sub in the "on" position and basically use the surge protector's power switch as the power switch for my monitor system, turning it on/off multiple times throughout the day when I want to watch a YouTube clip or listen to music while I study for an exam. Is this safe to do, or could it cause damage to my monitors and sub?

I would say that in general practice ... the process is to turn speakers on last and to cut them off first.  The logic behind that is related to the possibility that some equipment sends out turn on/off transient signals that could negatively affect output devices (speakers). 

LunaTech


I would say that in general practice ... the process is to turn speakers on last and to cut them off first.  The logic behind that is related to the possibility that some equipment sends out turn on/off transient signals that could negatively affect output devices (speakers). 

Thanks for your response. However I wasn't asking the order of turning them off, I was just wondering if what I'm doing is safe for my monitors. Using the surge protector switch to power on/off my monitors frequently while always leaving the actual power switch on the back of each monitor in the "off" position.

There's usually no difference between the on/off switch on surge protectors and the on/off switch by the wall socket.
 
Frequent on/off switching can shorten the life of electronic components as each time they're switched on or off they undergo a heat cycle (while running they are warm, when switched off they drop to room temperature). Repeated heat cycles can degrade components over time, and the more cycles in a given time, the more potential for degration.
 
In the real world, I wouldn't have thought that would be too much of a problem for powered speakers though. On the other hand, if we're talking about a couple of dozen on/offs a day here...
 
It would be sensible to make sure they're turned down before switching on or off in any case - the thump as power switches on/off can easily damage speakers.

tlw


There's usually no difference between the on/off switch on surge protectors and the on/off switch by the wall socket.

Is there also no difference between the on/off switch on surge protectors and the on/off switch on the back of the actual monitors themselves?


And I would be powering my monitors on/off just as frequent as my roommate would power on/off his Logitech Z623 speakers... or anyone with any computer speakers, really. The only different is that mine are "monitor" speakers and his are just speakers.
As for lowering the volume, I do agree. Usually I don't keep my monitors up very loud... but if I do, I'll be sure to lower the volume before shutting them off as you mentioned.

I understand.  And excuse me if I wasn't very clear. I think that I was really speaking to what the previous poster mentioned relating to turning the speakers down and then off.  The on/off transients can come not only as power spikes but as dangerous very low or very high frequencies that could affect speakers. As stated before, it is a good practice to turn down the volume and then turn off by whatever means.  The frequency by which you turn devices on and off can have an effect also.  Many components such as switches, relays, couplings ect.. are rated by the number of times they are acutated. 

LunaTech


I understand.  And excuse me if I wasn't very clear. I think that I was really speaking to what the previous poster mentioned relating to turning the speakers down and then off.  The on/off transients can come not only as power spikes but as dangerous very low or very high frequencies that could affect speakers. As stated before, it is a good practice to turn down the volume and then turn off by whatever means.  The frequency by which you turn devices on and off can have an effect also.  Many components such as switches, relays, couplings ect.. are rated by the number of times they are acutated. 

So does the fact that they are "studio monitors" mean that they should be turned on/off less frequently than other speakers that are just as powerful and are not "studio monitors"? Or is the effect the same whether they are "studio monitor" speakers or just normal speakers

It doesn't matter that you turn them on and off. there are arguments on both sides of that.... I prefer to shut them off when I don;t need them.

Using the switch on the monitor or the surge bar  really doesn't matter. Just understand that every switch has a limited number of operations...at some point it will break. 

  Always run them on a surge bar and  if you can a UPS is a nice thing to have in the studio....especially on the DAW. 

I think it is safe to say that of all speakers.  "Studio Monitor" designation generally refers to a speakers that have a more "flat" frequency response where as other speaker "types" may accentuate certain frequency ranges.

Guitarhacker


It doesn't matter that you turn them on and off. there are arguments on both sides of that.... I prefer to shut them off when I don;t need them.

Using the switch on the monitor or the surge bar  really doesn't matter. Just understand that every switch has a limited number of operations...at some point it will break. 

Always run them on a surge bar and  if you can a UPS is a nice thing to have in the studio....especially on the DAW. 

What's a UPS?

LunaTech


I think it is safe to say that of all speakers.  "Studio Monitor" designation generally refers to a speakers that have a more "flat" frequency response where as other speaker "types" may accentuate certain frequency ranges. 

That's what I thought. I was wondering that, in order to create the more "flat" frequency response, perhaps they using different parts that may be more sensitive or something. Anyways thanks for your input