Bought a used B&W ASW-300 but does not seem to work... help!

[buzzlight79]

Hello dear community,

I've been reading a few posts from Audioholics and it is amazing the information I could find so, first, I am grateful for every opinion, thought, advice I have read so far.

So, let’s go to the point : yesterday, I bought a used B&W ASW-300 which is in good condition and used to belong to a woman of a certain age that seemed not to be the kind of person who would not care about her belongings. She got this sub a few years ago installed by a pro and now she just does not use it anymore and does not have enough room for it in her new house, she said.
Anyways, she told me last time she used it (like 2-3 years ago) it worked very well. Meanwhile she stored it in her heated basement.
So even if she said she agrees to give my money back if I want to bring her back the sub, I’d like to try to make it work before, cause I think that for the $100 I bought it, it is worth the money, right?
Since, I am a newbie and never plugged a sub (besides, I just bought my receiver – Pioneer VSX-1014TX-K) maybe I’ve done something wrong. Yesterday I just plugged a RCA jack into the line in of the sub (and from the sub pre out plug of my receiver) and then I plugged the power cord of the sub… nothing happened when I turned ON the sub … I mean I did not see the led turning on and did not hear any noise from the sub (any sign of voltage coming in).
So, I’d be happy that someone tell me I don’t know nothing about this kind of speaker and that it is normal it did not do anything… that might mean it IS working!
Maybe it is because of a dead fuse? Can I open the box? Would the guarantee be voided if I do so? (however I think the guarantee covers components only for one year in general? right?)

So I hope someone could have any advice and help about this…
Thanks in advance

Cheers
Olivier

 

[bandphan]

Does the sub have an auto on switch? Did you set your speakers to small in the AVR? (you need to rerun the autocal program and after its done check to make sure your speakers are all set to small)

 

[buzzlight79]

Does the sub have an auto on switch? Did you set your speakers to small in the AVR? (you need to rerun the autocal program and after its done check to make sure your speakers are all set to small)

Yes it does have an auto on switch, indeed.

I am not sure the speakers are set to small... I will have to check tonight. I did not run the autocal program yesterday... was a bit too late and my (pregnant!) gf was in bed... and you don't want to make a pregnant woman angry, right?

I'll have a look at this tonight and let you know what happens.

Thank you Bandphan

 

[buzzlight79]

Does the sub have an auto on switch? Did you set your speakers to small in the AVR? (you need to rerun the autocal program and after its done check to make sure your speakers are all set to small)

I was wondering something: does the led is supposed to be always on or just during specific moments?
The image below shows the rear of my subwoofer. The led is the white spot above the volume knob.
img150.imageshack.us/img150/3125/asw300143.jpg

Thanks

 

[bandphan]

I was wondering something: does the led is supposed to be always on or just during specific moments?
The image below shows the rear of my subwoofer. The led is the white spot above the volume knob.
img150.imageshack.us/img150/3125/asw300143.jpg

Thanks

If it is set to auto and your speakers are set to small, the light wont come on.

 

[buzzlight79]

things don't look good...

If it is set to auto and your speakers are set to small, the light wont come on.

Well, I re run the autocal and even if the receiver "sees" there is a sub plugged into the subwoofer female-rca it can't complete the test and says there is an error with the sub.

I switched the sub to on and the speakers are set to small but this is it... seems something is wrong with the sub, right?

If necessary, could I open the sub and check whether a fuse is dead or should I get a specialist have a look at it?

Thanks!

 

[TLS Guy]

Well, I re run the autocal and even if the receiver "sees" there is a sub plugged into the subwoofer female-rca it can't complete the test and says there is an error with the sub.

I switched the sub to on and the speakers are set to small but this is it... seems something is wrong with the sub, right?

If necessary, could I open the sub and check whether a fuse is dead or should I get a specialist have a look at it?

Thanks!

If you or anyone opens it, you own it. It would be unethical to return it after meddling like that.

For what you paid for it you can afford to have it professionally serviced.

Before you take it to be serviced, connect the sub line in directly to a CD player and see if you hear anything from the sub. If it is plugged in, on and the sub volume tuned up, you should hear sound. If you don't the sub is dead.

 

[buzzlight79]

If you or anyone opens it, you own it. It would be unethical to return it after meddling like that.

For what you paid for it you can afford to have it professionally serviced.

Before you take it to be serviced, connect the sub line in directly to a CD player and see if you hear anything from the sub. If it is plugged in, on and the sub volume tuned up, you should hear sound. If you don't the sub is dead.

I understand your point.
Do you know what this sub is worth? Besides, given what I said in my previous posts, do you have any ideas of cost scenarios if I decide to get it repaired? Like, usually how much does it cost to get a fuse change or whatever part that could be damaged? (I am thinking mostly for the labour time/cost given we cannot know what exact part needs to be changed...)

I'll try what you suggest even if I am a bit sceptical... cause given the power (and electrical equipment in it) of such kind of sub, I guess I should hear some noise at the moment I'm plugging the power cord, right?

Cheers

 

[bandphan]

I understand your point.
Do you know what this sub is worth? Besides, given what I said in my previous posts, do you have any ideas of cost scenarios if I decide to get it repaired? Like, usually how much does it cost to get a fuse change or whatever part that could be damaged? (I am thinking mostly for the labour time/cost given we cannot know what exact part needs to be changed...)

I'll try what you suggest even if I am a bit sceptical... cause given the power (and electrical equipment in it) of such kind of sub, I guess I should hear some noise at the moment I'm plugging the power cord, right?

Cheers

Plug the sub into the the audio out of a cd player, yo confirm that there is nothing wrong with the avr's sub output, and to confirm its the sub that has the issue.

 

[buzzlight79]

Dead transformer

Hi all,
I finally got the sub checked by a pro and he diagnosed a dead transformer. Total cost for repair : $50.
That means within 8 days I'll have a good working B&W sub for only $150 (if all goes well!). Can't wait to hear it.

 

[buzzlight79]

Thanks

Thank you all for your much appreciated help, insights and recommendations.

 

[rut]

Dead transformer? $50? Awesome! I've got the same exact problem with a AWS CDM i just bought for $200. The guy gave me my money back but let me keep the sub and try to fix it. And if its only $50 then holy jeepers its gonna be a good day. I'll take it in tmrw. Thanks for your post.

 

[buzzlight79]

Dead transformer? $50? Awesome! I've got the same exact problem with a AWS CDM i just bought for $200. The guy gave me my money back but let me keep the sub and try to fix it. And if its only $50 then holy jeepers its gonna be a good day. I'll take it in tmrw. Thanks for your post.

Dude, I really wonder how the guy makes is living with a $50 bill (including parts) but as long as he gives my sub back (and repaired!)...

So wish u good luck with your AWS.