My subwoofer isn't supposed to make this noise.

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

My subwoofer acts like it's hitting something, or bottoming out. It makes a "thud" sound and I'm not sure if that means I need more volume, or less volume, lower tuning, higher tuning, etc, etc. Almost sounds like it's hitting something. It's hard to explain the noise anymore. I've taken it easy since I realized it was playing like this until I figure out the cause. Any ideas?

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[Twistid 5,000+ posts]

turn down gains, see if noise goes away?

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

do you have you a SSF, and if so what is it set to? Does it make the noise all the time or only at high volume?

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

do you have you a SSF, and if so what is it set to? Does it make the noise all the time or only at high volume?

SSF is set @ 26hz. I've noticed it at high volumes, but never noticed it at lower volumes.

The gain was set with a DMM, and actually about 2 volts under the equated voltage. On top of that, I set the gains with the headunit gain @ 12/15. I only listen to music with that setting at 10/15. I have read, though, that it should always be maxed out (15/15) to avoid clipping. If so, I'll have to reset the gains this weekend when I can borrow a DMM again.

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

There is no need to have the headunit at 15/15 as long as you don't go over the volume you set them at.

What songs are you listening to when it makes this noise? You might want to remove the sub and see if there is something wrong with the suspension (like something loose or detached). I know it's a pain but it might be worth it to see.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

There is no need to have the headunit at 15/15 as long as you don't go over the volume you set them at.
What songs are you listening to when it makes this noise? You might want to remove the sub and see if there is something wrong with the suspension (like something loose or detached). I know it's a pain but it might be worth it to see.

Good. I did it this way for headroom.

When I noticed it doing this, it was playing a rap song. It wasn't low bass, rather probably in the 40-50hz range or so. It almost sounded like it was over exerting itself, and I think it's been this way for a while. It's like a hard "knock" sound. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

Was it at really high volumes or just semi loud?

Try to replicate this sound and watch the sub as it is doing it. If the sub is not moving much but making the noise, it is probably a suspension issue.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

I noticed then that it was moving fine and it was about at full volume.

 

[PESteele 10+ year member]

my q did this on really low notes in the sealed box.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Well usually bottoming out a sub sounds more like a rattle than a thud, because you bottom out the voice coil many times a second. Of course, exactly what it sounds like depends on what frequency its bottoming out at (cycles per second), how badly its bottoming out, and the enclosure type/size.

If its a big mystery, remove the sub from the box and play it free-air until it starts making the noise again... but be VERY careful when doing this.

Also, check the box for leaks. Enclosure leaks can sometimes make some pretty weird noises!

 

[ItalynStylion 10+ year member]

I think my subs make this noise too. Like if you were to drop a coin into the cone of an aluminum sub the noise it makes on the first impact is what it sounds like. I notice on really hard LOW hits it does it.

I've been told its the VC bottoming out...

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

I think my subs make this noise too. Like if you were to drop a coin into the cone of an aluminum sub the noise it makes on the first impact is what it sounds like. I notice on really hard LOW hits it does it.
I've been told its the VC bottoming out...

Now that sounds like the description of a VC bottoming out. Should be easy enough to avoid, turn your subwoofer gains down ever so slightly,, turn down the bass, or stop turning your volume up to that point.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

If I can, I'll try to record it on the digi camera and post here.

I'm going to be building a new box, and would like to figure out what is causing it so I can avoid it later.

Imagine, if you will, the music is playing, and occasionally you have an extra "thump" sound in there.

 

[ItalynStylion 10+ year member]

Now that sounds like the description of a VC bottoming out. Should be easy enough to avoid, turn your subwoofer gains down ever so slightly,, turn down the bass, or stop turning your volume up to that point.

Yeah I know, I have a NON-Fade level control on my headunit that I can turn down which is what I've been doing.

Is there a way to get the same or louder output without making that noise or is there no tuning that will accomplish that?

(Don't mean to thread jack but I really want to know)

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

(Don't mean to thread jack but I really want to know)

It's cool. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif