Getting horrible "rattle" from 2 Earthquake DBX12"

[timma100 10+ year member]

When I first bought them I didn't hear it, but over time it seems to have gotten louder and louder. Only when it plays certain frequency's (usually in the higher range it just sounds horrible, like its going to break apart, a very mechanical sound) The subs sound awful now, even at volumes where they were fine before. Not sure whats going on, they are being powered by an Xplod XM-GTX1852 wired at mono 4ohm. If i'm reading the spec sheet correctly, this amp puts out only 400W RMS @ 4ohm mono

If you have any ideas as to why its sounding so horrible please let me know. Il try anything at this point

Update, I recorded a video so you can hear what im hearing. When I take the subs out of the enclosure there is no rattle. The mic on the camera exaggerates the rattle slightly.

http://youtu.be/W6J2zcU2i9M

Second Update, hit test on sub box! Do you think the box is the issue of the sound in the first video??

http://youtu.be/5mmmKokx8z4

Click to read more...

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

Is there a scraping noise when you push down on the center of the sub (the dustcap)?

 

[timma100 10+ year member]

Is there a scraping noise when you push down on the center of the sub (the dustcap)?

No scraping noise, completely silent.

I bought this setup from a guy at work, i'm researching the AMP and subwoofer right now. Its wired in series at 4ohms, the AMPs max output is 400W RMS. But from what I can find the subs are rated at 400W rms each. I know in a series circuit voltage drops, and the "rattle" sound seems to be coming from only one woofer but I don't know for sure. I have the amp turned all the way up, but could it be that the amp isn't putting out enough power?

Also i'm not 100% on the woofer model number, but the DBX12 is the only one that looks like what I have. Frankly if it is the AMP, im ready to pull the trigger and get a mono D, its not right when you don't want to turn the song up //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[matt_bennett05 10+ year member]

I will bet it's the subs not the amp.

 

[timma100 10+ year member]

I will bet it's the subs not the amp.

Anyway to pinpoint what the issue is with out another amp to test?

 

[tuck05 10+ year member]

Take the subs out of the box. Hook up a sub to the amp. Play the sub at low volume increasing volume until sub is moving pretty good. If the sub is rattling you should hear it.

Tinsel slap, rubbing coil, and busted dustcap is the only rattle noises I've ever gotten from a speaker. Look at the speaker and see if the basket or anything is cracked.

 

[Fi-brations 10+ year member]

u said u have the amp turned all the way up, does that mean ur using bass boost?

 

[timma100 10+ year member]

u said u have the amp turned all the way up, does that mean ur using bass boost?

You mean the Sub db level in the deck/head-unit? The sub DB level is at +7, the EQ is at +0 for low. Il go try reducing it to +0DB and see if I still get the rattle, is there a chance it could be distortion from the AMP? It only rattles at one frequency, other songs with stronger bass sound perfect

 

[Fi-brations 10+ year member]

no i mean that the setting on the amp itself called bass boost, it can easily cause clipping if used incorrectly, but im not too sure about the specific problems that clipping can cause to ur subs

 

[OmegaBunny 10+ year member]

BY amp turned all the way up, do you mean the gain?

 

[timma100 10+ year member]

no i mean that the setting on the amp itself called bass boost, it can easily cause clipping if used incorrectly, but im not too sure about the specific problems that clipping can cause to ur subs

After testing 40+ songs and having my neighbors call the police, I found that only songs that hit this one frequency cause the rattle, I can turn other songs with deeper bass up to nearly double the volume with no issues.. So I have no idea what the problem is

Amp doesn't have bass boost option, only a level option and I see voltage remarks around the level option..

Bottom left is the "level" adjust, turned down, the subs do basically nothing

 

[timma100 10+ year member]

Updated post with video

 

[99CherokeeSport 10+ year member]

I might know exactly what that is. take both ur subs out of your box and punch the box with ur hand all around, im betting its a loose wall or something.try listening for wood hitting.u might need to re-glue your box.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

^^^^ this is my first guess, your box is coming apart.

Play the subs outside the box and that'll tell you if it's the subs, or anything else, or the box.

 

[timma100 10+ year member]

Gotta find a place to work on this stuff, neighbors called the cops last night when I was trying to find the issue. Looks like i'm going into the woods //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif Thanks hispls and 99 for the info.. I hope I can find where the box needs fixin.