An audio receiver receives one or more input audio signals representing one or more channels of a sound content and applies a first beam pattern to the input audio signals to generate a first set of beam-formed audio signals. The audio receiver determines a second beam pattern that is less directional than the first beam pattern. The audio receiver determines that driving of a loudspeaker array using the first set of beam-formed audio signals will cause one or more transducers of the loudspeaker array to operate beyond an operational threshold, and in response applies the second beam pattern to the input audio signals to generate a second set of beam-formed audio signals. The audio receiver drives the loudspeaker array using the second set of beam-formed audio signals. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.