Subwoofers provide home theaters a terrific sound that will give you an immersive experience when you listen to a music track or watch a movie. However, what happens when your subwoofer begins to malfunction. Can you get it fixed? Is it permanently damaged?
Before we answer these questions, you need to first know whether your subwoofer is blown or not and if you are receiving blown sub sound. Only then can you figure out your next plan of action. To that end, there are certain blown subwoofer symptoms you need to watch out for. However, before we dive into what these signs of a blown subwoofer are and how we can diagnose the problem, it is vital to know what can cause your subwoofer to blow. Read on to find out more!
Causes of Blown Subwoofer
The following are the 2 most common factors that can cause your subwoofer to blow:
Too Much Power
In the majority of the cases, excessive power is the key reason why most of the subwoofers get blown. Although listening to your music at a very high volume might seem appealing and quite exciting, it is important to keep in mind that a subwoofer has the ability to handle so much. If you make it operate beyond its regular thresholds, you can create a lot of pressure that consequently leads to damage. Hence to avoid blowing sub woofer, it is best to not exert too much force on it.
While a subwoofer is particularly built with the capability to handle more power than its designated Root Mean Square (this is commonly referred to as continuous power handling), it is vital that you make sure that the sound is without any distortion when you increase the volume.
It is crucial to know your subwoofer’s RMS wattage as it ensures that you continuously provide your device just the correct amount of power.
Distorted or Clipped Signals
When you are turning up a particular distorted signal in order to better hear it, you can damage your subwoofer very easily. There is barely any doubt that distorted or clipped signals are very appalling for your subwoofer. In a few instances, you might not even be aware that the signal you are receiving is distorted until its levels are so high that it starts to alter and results in damage.
Signs of a Blown Subwoofer
What are the signs of blown subwoofer? Is my subwoofer blown? How do I know if my subwoofer is blown? These are very common questions people have when they hear distorted or no sound coming out of their subwoofer. The following are the common ways you can use to confirm whether your subwoofer has blown:
Sound
There is no denying that one of the most critical signs of a blown subwoofer is the poor quality of sound. It is best and wise to perform an audio test if you observe any cracks in the sound coming out of your subwoofer.
First of all, lower the sound to a reduced volume and start audio playback. Increase the bass and volume in a gradual manner, while you pay particular attention to the generated sound. If you hear no sound at all, it is a clear sign that your subwoofer is definitely blown. On the other hand, if the sound coming out is distorted (subwoofer distortion), then your sub is partially blown.
It is important to note here that if your subwoofer is getting its signal through a cable, be sure to first check the cable before you arrive at any concrete conclusions.
A Physical Inspection
One of the simplest ways to determine if your subwoofer has been blown is to inspect it physically for any kind of damage signs.
If you are wondering how you can accomplish this, you can do so by pressing the speaker cone’s either side very gently. Be sure to not exert too much force. What do you feel or observe? If your speaker cone is tightly locked in its place (in other words, it is not moving) or feels rigid, that is a clear symptom of a blown subwoofer.
If you press and the cones move sightly, then your subwoofer may not be blown. See if you can listen to any kind of scratching noises. Make careful note of any particular movements that seem sluggish or loose. These can point towards worn suspension and indicate your sub might be partially damaged.
Voltage
Using a multimeter is another tactic to check whether your subwoofer is blown or not. You can make use of a multimeter to gauge the amount of resistance, voltage, and current. This assists you in determining if there is an absence of electrical resistance. If there is no electrical resistance, it points towards a damaged coil.
Keep in mind that if the reading on the multimeter fluctuates and does not stick to a single, then your subwoofer’s cone is most probably blown.
how to fix a blown subwoofer?
Most people as whether it is possible to fix up with their subwoofer that has blown. The truth is that in some of the instances it is possible whereas in other scenarios it is probably in your best interests to purchase a new subwoofer.
Experts strongly advise that you disconnect your subwoofer first from the theater system in your home. If you leave it there, it might lead to extra damage to any other devices you have, hence causing a more stressful and bigger issue.
Here is complete solution of how to connect Subwoofer to receiver without subwoofer output.
Also, it is probably best to get your subwoofer carefully examined by an experienced professional who is in a far better position to let you know about the extent of the damage. If you are not content with their findings, you may even get another expert opinion.
If not a lot of time has passed by since you bought your sub, be sure to check the validity of its warranty. You are lucky if the warranty is still valid! Prior to disassembling the subwoofer, just ensure to check the warranty’s validity.
How to tell if subwoofer is blown?
A subwoofer is blown when it either receives excessive power or too much quantity of a signal that is distorted. You may figure out whether your subwoofer is blown or not by particular attention to the sound, utilizing a multi meter to figure out if the speaker coil is damaged and reviewing the woofer’s movement.
How to know if a subwoofer is blown?
Listening to the quality of sound that is generated by the subwoofer’s speakers is the best way to know if your subwoofer is blown or not. To put it simply, if you do not hear any sound or simply hear a static-like buzzing particularly with the volume cranked up, it is a clear indication that what you have is a blown subwoofer.
What does a blown subwoofer sound like?
Most people want to know what does a blown subwoofer sound like. You will hear scratching sounds coming from your subwoofer if it is blown. The scratching sounds are an indication that the coil winding inside the subwoofer have been damaged. Also, if you play any low notes through a blown subwoofer, the sound will begin to distort.
Bottom Line
Your subwoofer linked with the theater system in your home may blow easily if you force a lot of sound through it or if you overpower it. It is also important to know that the degree of damage might vary from one particular subwoofer model to another. Some subwoofer models may partially blow whereas others get fully-blown.
It is best to use either of the 3 tactics mentioned above and keep an eye for the common symptoms to see if your subwoofer has blown. Once you have identified that it has, you can either get the subwoofer fixed or buy a new one.