what is this called and why does it happen?

[Beatin' 10+ year member]

When a bass note is being played and you hear a high pitched "hoooooooo" coming from the sub. It's like it is playing two notes at the same time, a bass note and a very high frequency note. The high frequency note changes tune when the bass note changes.

Why does this happen and what is it called?

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[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

Sounds like alt noise

 

[Beatin' 10+ year member]

Sounds like alt noise

I am 100% sure it is not alt/engine noise interference. I know what that is.

But there is a term for what I'm describing, but I forgot it, and that's why I asked. What I really want to know is why does that happen?

It's a type of distortion that is mechanical rather than electrical. It may have to do with the cone stiffness and box volume, but I'm not sure.

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

u sure he sub isnt bottoming out that def mechanical

 

[av83 10+ year member]

I am 100% sure it is not alt/engine noise interference. I know what that is.
But there is a term for what I'm describing' date=' but I forgot it, and that's why I asked. What I really want to know is why does that happen?

It's a type of distortion that is mechanical rather than electrical. It may have to do with the cone stiffness and box volume, but I'm not sure.[/quote']

I have heard that noise once. When I was a kid i ran an MTX amp, at too low of an impedance, with some extension cord wire as my power/ground, lmao, and it would get louder as the gain went up. It's the only time in my life I've heard it. That was about 11 years ago.

 

[Dirtrider4eva 10+ year member]

port noise? otherwise i know what youre talking about, it sounds really hollow too, im guessing clipping, or the subs on its way out

 

[Beatin' 10+ year member]

I should add that the higher frequency tones are heard only in a specific bass note frequency range.

I'm guessing that since my subs are really designed for home audio in a large sealed enclosure, putting them in a car audio application with a smaller sealed enclosure has caused excessive dampening? At certain bass notes, the cone may be warping and causing those higher tones.

Again I'm not sure though. I know there's a car audio term for what is happening, but I can't remember.

 

[I Like Waffle]

I had an amp that made a squealing sound like that once, but mdf also squeaks when it moves against itself or metal

 

[Beatin' 10+ year member]

it kind of sounds like this but more muffled. And it changes frequency when the bass note changes. It only happens when certain bass notes hit.

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

cross ur sub over at 80hz lpf...

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

It's prolly the spiders hitting the landing from over excursion causing a ticking sound