[Stu Pitt]

James (and anyone else with insight),

My 11 month old daughter is now not only walking, but running around the apartment.  She's pretty quick, and as expected at 11 months, doesn't have the best control when she gets all excited.

I'm worried about her hurting herself with my speakers.  I was contemplating some wall mount speakers, but a combination of loving my current Audio Physics and limited funds associated with raising an 11 month old have me contemplating my current dilemma...

I'm pretty much set on keeping the speakers in very closeby a closet when not in use.

So long story (or post) short, if I unplug the speakers at the speaker end, but leave the cables plugged in at the amp end (B60), will this cause any damage if the B60 is turned off?   What if I plug the B60 into a power strip and turn the switch off on that as well?

I'm not worried about accidental powering on when the speakers are disconnected, as the B60 is in a cabinet with child-proof lock-type thing.  I'd unplug from the B60 end, but due to the cabinet and location, its not very feasible.

And yes, I'd keep the speaker cables well out of her reach.

Maybe after the holidays I'll revisit the on-wall speakers for background listening idea, but until then I'm pretty much stuck.  Too many things higher up on the priority list. 

[BrysTony]

Stu,
I assume that you are concerned about her having the speakers fall over on her and about the only thing you can do is put them in the closet as you have decided.  As far as unplugging the cables from the speaker, the only issue would be if the B60 was on and the + and - cable ends were shorted together it might damage the B60.  As long as the B60 is off the cables are harmless.
Tony

[James Tanner]

Agree with Tony - no harm as long as speaker connections do not touch while on.

James

[SoundGame]

A few alternatives would be:

1.  (SHELF) Build an extra deep wall shelf at the correct listening height and give up on the dedicated speaker stands for the time being - essentially put you bookshelves on a bookshelf.  It could be one long shelf that both speakers sit on or separate individual (diving board) type shelves that each would sit on individually - they could be isolated with some soundpoints, vibrapods or something like that from the bookshelf - with all wires elevated accordingly. 

2.  (ANTI-TIP STANDS) Another alternative is to build some tip resistant stands and then blue-tac the speakers to them.  By a tip resistant stand, I mean a stand that is wide at it's base and weighted (sand-bagged) down below so the centre of gravity is very low.  A pyramid shaped stand with a base that is three or four times the size of the speakers footprint should do it - not sure you would get great WAF but that really depends on your creativity.

3. (ANTI-SHORT) This would be using your current idea of putting your speakers in the closet and turning off your B60R.  The only risk here is for the unlikely shorting of the cables when the B60 is powered up.  You could just order two cheap binding post wall plates from Monoprice and mount them to the wall - unconnected.  Then when disconnecting your speakers you plug the cables into the wall plate (since they are unconnected - no shorts) and your cables are out of the way and not loose.

 

[Stu Pitt]

Thanks, guys.  I figured there wouldn't be any problems, but you never know. 

Tony,

Having the speakers fall onto her or her fall onto them somehow is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.  I'd be upset if she knocked them over and damaged them.  I'd be heart-broken if she got hurt in the process.

George,

I've contemplated everything you mention and then some.  My speakers need a good 1.5 feet away from the back wall, or they sound like a car with a thumper in the trunk.  Pretty awful.

Actually, I hadn't thought about the wall plate.  Maybe I'll give it a go.



I've actually contemplated getting Totem Arros, as they'd be less work to stash away in the closet - small, light, and one piece vs stand and monitors.  Problem is I'd have to sell the Yaras to afford them.  I like the Yaras more than the Arros (Hence why I bought them over the Arros), they're discontinued, and they're pretty scarce second hand.  I'd regret selling them for a very long time.

Hopefully we'll be able to move by the summer (I was hoping this summer) and I'll have a room where this isn't an issue.  Till then, gotta do what I gotta do.

[headshrinker2]

Hey Stu,
I can definitely relate to this post.  You are bringing back memories from several years ago when my kids were small.  I was just about to put together a nice home theater setup.  I was being as cautious as possible (i.e. putting my Vandersteen's away during the day when the kids were little). 

One day, my then little guy saw some colorful speaker wire and pulled... the speaker fell on him.  An audiophile angel was looking over his shoulder.. he walked away unscathed.  I decided that day to delay my plans for the uber home theater setup until the kids got considerably older.  I bought some very satisfying B&W bookshelf speakers which happily sat on top of our entertainment center.  I got everything off the floor.

Good luck with your decision.  Don't take any unnecessary safety risks!  Clearly you need to build an addition to your house with a dedicated listening room....

P.S.  Let me know if you are serious about picking up a pair of Arros.  You might remember that I own a pair.  I've been thinking about switching them out....

[Stu Pitt]

headshrinker2,

PM sent.

[Listentohear]

I am in the same situation as you Stu, my boy just turned 1 and while I'm not worried about him tipping over the EB1i's I have. I do have a mini heart attack every time he goes towards my rack with my preamp and source equipment all within his reach.  I am lucky enough to have an extra room that I am working on remodeling into my future kid free listening room.  I just hope that I will have it done and the stereo moved before his little fingers spin my volume knob and destroy my gear! 

[amblin]

Just remember to switch OFF your amps before unplugging ANY cables/interconnects and then you'll be fine.

Some interconnects can cause huge POPs or buzz and damage the speakers while hot swapping.  And no matter how careful you are, you'll eventually get the two speaker cables accidentially shorted and smoke your amps....I guess that's one of the reasons why Pros love XLR and other lockable pin/socket connection, it's more secure and can be easilly hot swapped.

1. All components OFF
2. Unplug/plug the cables/interconnects
3. CHECK all the cables again to ensure proper connection.
4. Have fun.