Audio
Clipping
01 — Definition
The distortion that appears when a signal exceeds the maximum level a system can handle: the peaks of the waveform are flattened, and what comes out is harsh harmonic distortion rich in odd-order harmonics. In digital, clipping above 0 dBFS is hard and audible straight away. And it kills loudspeakers: a clipped amplifier produces a square wave loaded with very high-frequency energy, enough to destroy HF drivers.
02 — In the field
Loudspeakers are damaged by clipping more often than by excessive volume. Set a limiter 3 dB below the amplifier's clip point: you protect the drivers without losing any perceived loudness.