My sub died...

[Ito]

So about 2 months ago my subwoofer started making some random banging noises. The first time it happened was at about 3:00am and is scared the sh*t out of me, lol. It didn't do it for a few weeks after, then it started doing it again. It eventually got to the point that I couldn't even use the sub without the banging noise happening. It happened no matter whether it was receiving signal or not, or if it was in the "auto" mode or "on." Now it won't even make any noise. However, it does make a buzzing noise when I unplug the RCA cord. No buzzing when I unplug it from the subwoofer port. The light on the amp does turn on when I switch the sub on.

I've searched online and this is what I seemed to have found for an answer:
"Second, the power supply capacitors are the storage devices in the system. They will carry and hold large amounts of voltage for long periods while the sub is in standby mode or even unplugged from the wall outlet. If the sub still makes this noise when the cable from the receiver is unplugged, you have a bad capacitor or a portion of the system (probably in the standby mode switching) which is causing a capacitor to discharge on its own. Since these capacitors carrying potentially lethal levels of voltage, if this appears to be the case, the sub needs to go into the repair shop."

So right now I am debating on getting it fixed or just getting a new sub. Getting it fixed at a JBL repair show would be a pain in the *** since the closest one is 3 hours away and will cost at least $120 (base fee).

So right now I am looking to see is maybe someone could shed a little more light on my problem or if they could send me in the right direction on a new sub. I don't really want to drop more than $300 on a sub, since I am a college student and I'm not exactly loaded. XD

If anyone could give me some help or advice that would be amazing.

 

[j_garcia]

Caps are probably the number one cause of amp failure. Sorry to hear it man. Which JBL was it? A PB-10 or PB-12? That is a very well documented issue if it is either of them.

 

[lsiberian]

So about 2 months ago my subwoofer started making some random banging noises. The first time it happened was at about 3:00am and is scared the sh*t out of me, lol. It didn't do it for a few weeks after, then it started doing it again. It eventually got to the point that I couldn't even use the sub without the banging noise happening. It happened no matter whether it was receiving signal or not, or if it was in the "auto" mode or "on." Now it won't even make any noise. However, it does make a buzzing noise when I unplug the RCA cord. No buzzing when I unplug it from the subwoofer port. The light on the amp does turn on when I switch the sub on.

I've searched online and this is what I seemed to have found for an answer:
"Second, the power supply capacitors are the storage devices in the system. They will carry and hold large amounts of voltage for long periods while the sub is in standby mode or even unplugged from the wall outlet. If the sub still makes this noise when the cable from the receiver is unplugged, you have a bad capacitor or a portion of the system (probably in the standby mode switching) which is causing a capacitor to discharge on its own. Since these capacitors carrying potentially lethal levels of voltage, if this appears to be the case, the sub needs to go into the repair shop."

So right now I am debating on getting it fixed or just getting a new sub. Getting it fixed at a JBL repair show would be a pain in the *** since the closest one is 3 hours away and will cost at least $120 (base fee).

So right now I am looking to see is maybe someone could shed a little more light on my problem or if they could send me in the right direction on a new sub. I don't really want to drop more than $300 on a sub, since I am a college student and I'm not exactly loaded. XD

If anyone could give me some help or advice that would be amazing.

Be sure to see if you The amps in those subs sell for above 200 bucks so you are best to either fix the amp(maybe an electrical engineering friend can help you.) Or you can pickup a dayton sub.

 

[j_garcia]

If it is a PB-12 or PB-10, the amp manufacturer went out of business (I wonder why?) so you can't really get a replacement amp anymore, but Polk was offering owners some kind of credit to upgrade to another Polk sub

 

[Ito]

Caps are probably the number one cause of amp failure. Sorry to hear it man. Which JBL was it? A PB-10 or PB-12? That is a very well documented issue if it is either of them.

It's a JBL SUB-300.

Be sure to see if you The amps in those subs sell for above 200 bucks so you are best to either fix the amp(maybe an electrical engineering friend can help you.) Or you can pickup a dayton sub.

Wait, what?

 

[TLS Guy]

So about 2 months ago my subwoofer started making some random banging noises. The first time it happened was at about 3:00am and is scared the sh*t out of me, lol. It didn't do it for a few weeks after, then it started doing it again. It eventually got to the point that I couldn't even use the sub without the banging noise happening. It happened no matter whether it was receiving signal or not, or if it was in the "auto" mode or "on." Now it won't even make any noise. However, it does make a buzzing noise when I unplug the RCA cord. No buzzing when I unplug it from the subwoofer port. The light on the amp does turn on when I switch the sub on.

I've searched online and this is what I seemed to have found for an answer:
"Second, the power supply capacitors are the storage devices in the system. They will carry and hold large amounts of voltage for long periods while the sub is in standby mode or even unplugged from the wall outlet. If the sub still makes this noise when the cable from the receiver is unplugged, you have a bad capacitor or a portion of the system (probably in the standby mode switching) which is causing a capacitor to discharge on its own. Since these capacitors carrying potentially lethal levels of voltage, if this appears to be the case, the sub needs to go into the repair shop."

So right now I am debating on getting it fixed or just getting a new sub. Getting it fixed at a JBL repair show would be a pain in the *** since the closest one is 3 hours away and will cost at least $120 (base fee).

So right now I am looking to see is maybe someone could shed a little more light on my problem or if they could send me in the right direction on a new sub. I don't really want to drop more than $300 on a sub, since I am a college student and I'm not exactly loaded. XD

If anyone could give me some help or advice that would be amazing.

I'm coming to the conclusion that the majority of commercial subs are a waste of space and money. I think is you want a sub, build it, or have it built and use a good external amp. I think plate amps are a rip off, although WmAx vows the O Audio amps are satisfactory, but only those.

 

[croseiv]

I'm coming to the conclusion that the majority of commercial subs are a waste of space and money. I think is you want a sub, build it, or have it built and use a good external amp. I think plate amps are a rip off, although WmAx vows the O Audio amps are satisfactory, but only those.

You are basing this on the failure of just a few amps??? It is quite clear how you feel about any subwoofer (amp), especially SVS. The irony of the internet audio forum is that you tend to see people posting about their bad experiences, and those are remembered. Many more people are out enjoying their "inferior" plate amps and aren't wasting time posting about there good expriences (except for me).

 

[TLS Guy]

You are basing this on the failure of just a few amps??? It is quite clear how you feel about any subwoofer (amp), especially SVS. The irony of the internet audio forum is that you tend to see people posting about their bad experiences, and those are remembered. Many more people are out enjoying their "inferior" plate amps and aren't wasting time posting about there good expriences (except for me).

We have had a lot more than a few in the last 12 months. Enough to put me off ever wanting to own one.

 

[lsiberian]

It's a JBL SUB-300.



Wait, what?

You will need to contact harman parts for an amp cost estimate.

I imagine they will want to replace it.

 

[lsiberian]

I'm coming to the conclusion that the majority of commercial subs are a waste of space and money. I think is you want a sub, build it, or have it built and use a good external amp. I think plate amps are a rip off, although WmAx vows the O Audio amps are satisfactory, but only those.

I know you are a very cautious guy, but SVS uses bash amps and might even share the same source as O-Audio.

I've met many folks that are just fine with their subs. Heck my sub's plate amp has no issues and it's a cheap sub. I think the issues are deeper and more tied to cost-cutting Chinese manufacturing practices. Many products have had apparently higher failure rates recently including drywall, children's toys and several electronic products. I've found in electronics soldering is one of the common places for failure. You wouldn't believe some of the poor work done on this end. Perhaps taking apart the amp would reveal the issue.

I do prefer an external amp solution though.

 

[Ito]

You will need to contact harman parts for an amp cost estimate.

I imagine they will want to replace it.

Got ya, sorry, your wording confused me a bit. I will try contacting then and see what's up.