[shawnz]

If I am understanding this correctly, a specially crafted mp3 file, played in Windows Media Player or similar, could cause the same symptoms that Dell is indicating VLC could create. Surely that would be considered a totally normal operating condition that the speakers should be tolerant against. It may be heavy use, but does that mean it is abuse?

[jbk]

Yes, exactly. Use Audacity to increase the volume and play with WMP to get the same result.

[dpe82]

Likely not an mp3 because most of the super high frequencies that result from digital clipping wouldn't be encoded in an mp3. Most encoders do a low pass filter as their first step (getting rid of most of the problem) and then smooth out the rest of the waveform when compressing it.

It's possible, however, to create raw PCM that will destroy a lot of consumer equipment if played long and loud enough. VLC basically gives consumers a way to do that and labels it a feature.