In the first case, they sent me a replacement amp which did not fix the problem. I sent back the replacement and kept my original amp. They then sent me a replacement driver which did fix the problem. Could it be my original amp that is causing the drivers to fail over time, maybe. But now that the damage is done to this driver, I would have to replace both the amp and driver this time, yes?
In terms of user error during replacement, you should know that there are only two connections to be made during replacement of either the amp or the driver, + wire and -wire. How badly could one screw that up? Still this would not account for the original failure of the sub in it's stock, factory sealed condition.
As for abuse, I will rule it out for you. It has been calibrated since new with an SPL meter and most recently with the SMS-1, but set a couple of dB hot for preference. Further, it is in a relatively small room that does not place exceptional demands on it, vis-a-vis it's capability. As a rule, it's gain is set somewhere near the 9:00 position. The gain has not been set anywhere near the 12:00 position except to shock it into action as part of the issue we're talking about now. I've matured enough in this hobby that my bass expectations are simply that the sub blend indistinguishably into the mains, not to shake the rafters, although I do feel the floor shake during certain songs or movie scenes.
If it were a power supply issue, I question why this is the only device to fail. Until I got the SMS-1, I ran a dual sub configuration with the SVS and my STF-3 which still operates exactly as Dr. Hsu intended. The first failure happened during this dual sub setup. This most recent failure occurred while the SVS was running solo in the main system. I've never had power issues with any other electronic device, regardless of age. Even the cheap e-Machine computer I bought in '99 is still operating perfectly at my next door neighbor's house. Personally, I cannot identify any type of power issue that would cause a failure of the subwoofer exclusively, while every other electronic device I've ever owned still operates perfectly.
I'm almost ready to bring the Hsu into the main system and send the SVS to the Land of Misfit Toys. But I will talk to them on Tuesday.
On a side note, I liken the issue to a shaft with a seized bearing. You can wiggle the shaft in the bearing, but not turn it. Then if you apply enough force you can turn the shaft freely from that point on, until you let it sit and the bearing sticks again. Just like this, the driver will vibrate just a tiny bit but not enough to actually hear anything. Then once you shock it to action, it works just fine for a time, but when you come back to it, it may or may not work and might need to be shocked into operation again. Today, it seemed to work just fine, but I ran it for about 14 hours yesterday. Tomorrow's operation remains uncertain.
