Do Surge Protectors Affect Sound Quality?

Surge protectors and power strips are usually something you need to start thinking about when you don’t have enough outlet space to hook up your speakers.

However, some people are concerned that if you have too many devices hooked up to your surge protector that it could impact the sound quality of your speakers.

Is this true? Do surge protectors affect sound quality?

Surge protectors do not affect sound quality, as long as your speakers are getting the power they need it won’t make a difference.

Just use common sense and do not overload the device, for example, you generally don’t want to hook up more than 5 speakers to a single protector.

In this blog post, I will explain why people are wrong when they say surge protectors affect sound quality as well as what type of surge protectors to purchase for your home theater if you need one.

No effect on sound quality

The hype regarding surge protectors is similar to High-speed 4k HDMI cables.

Some swear it’s important but most of us realize these make no difference whatsoever. Surge protectors do not affect sound quality.

As long as your speakers/subwoofer, etc. are getting the power they need a surge protector will make no difference at all.

However, Some audiophiles prefer to go with hifi surge protectors such as the Dectet Power Extension Strip.

Another popular choice is the AudioQuest Powerquest 2 (paid link).

If you have a much larger and expensive Home Theater then the Panamax mr4000 (paid link) makes sense.

Personally, I use a simple GE surge protector (paid image link) to hook up my rear speakers in my home theater setup.

It gets the job done and is more budget-friendly compared to the other two options.

Just don’t overload a single outlet.

Obviously use common sense here, If you have a power strip that is connected to 12 different speakers then that is not a good decision as your speakers could get fried by an electronic surge as well as muddle your sound quality.

However, if you are just plugging in a soundbar, a couple of rear speakers, and a subwoofer you should be fine.

Surge protectors will also help protect your audio equipment from power failures or sudden surges from the power grid due to weather, etc..

So although surge protectors do not make too much difference when it comes to audio you still need them to protect your sound systems.

Surge protector vs. power strip: What is the difference?

A power strip acts as a more convenient way to plug in your electronics, a surge protector actually protects your equipment from voltage spikes.

They look very similar but function in completely different ways. However, I should mention that some power strips have surge protectors built in.

If all you care about is hooking up some electronics to a single power strip then maybe don’t get a surge protector but you are not adequately protecting your sound equipment.

I recommend going with a surge protector over a power strip any day.

There is little difference in the price so I don’t see a viable argument as to why someone would go with a power strip over a surge protector.

Conclusion

Surge protectors do not affect sound quality unless you are plugging too many speakers into one outlet.

It is wise to invest in a surge protector to protect your sound equipment from voltage spikes and power outages, it also gives you more flexibility to plug in your speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a power surge damage speakers?

Yes, a power surge can potentially damage speakers by sending an excessive electrical current through them. Using surge protectors helps safeguard speakers and other electronic devices from such damage.

Are surge protectors necessary anymore?

Yes, surge protectors are still necessary. They protect electronic devices, including speakers, from voltage spikes and power surges, ensuring their longevity and preventing potential damage due to electrical fluctuations.