Is My Sub Blown?

[32cjones]

Hi All,
New to the forum. Need some opinions about if my sub is blown.
First, I'm the 3rd owner of a DIY downward firing sub with a Shiva 12" driver. I would estimate it's about 8 years old. Recently during certain scenes I noticed a "popping"noise. The noise only seems to happen on low rumbles such as in "Saving Private Ryan" scene when the Americans are preparing for the final battle and the German tanks are rolling in and can be heard for several minutes. I don't hear the noise during explosion scenes although they don't seem as powerful.
Any thoughts before I post my second post about what new sub to purchase??

 

[Rickster71]

Try to gently push the cone in and out. (with fingers widely spread)
Do you feel any binding, rubbing, or a scraping noise?
If you do, you'll need a new driver.
Or, as you mentioned, time for a new sub purchase.
Good luck
Rick

 

[32cjones]

Thanks for the tip Rick. I tried pushing on the cone and sure enough I feel some resistance and a rubbing noise. I did the same thing to my JBL tower speakers that have two 12" drivers (which are working fine) and I don't feel any resistance or hear a noise. So souds (and feels) as if it's blown.
Looks like I will spending some more time on the forum.

Thanks again.
Chris

 

[annunaki]

Get me the dimensions of your enclosure (internal) along with the impedance of your driver and the diameter (internal and external) of your port(s) and their length. Also let me know what amount of power you have available and your budget. I am sure I can find a sub to fit the application.

 

[Rickster71]

'If' you decide you want to salvage your sub.
Below is a link to the same driver replacement, for $165.
http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?products_id=653

 

[annunaki]

The new Shiva driver is quite nice. I have no experience with one but if it is like the older ones it should be a VERY suitable replacement.

Now that Adire Audio is out of business who is building this sub? I assume www.diycable.com is their retail portion for the subs.

 

[32cjones]

If I decide to go with another Shiva can I assume it will be "plug and play" with my current setup (same dimensions, etc.). Or do I need to get the information that annunaki suggested if I decided for another brand?

I do appreciate the help.
Chris

 

[annunaki]

It wouldn't hurt to be safe. Get me the dimensions anyway and I can double check it for you.

 

[32cjones]

Ok, here are the dimensions. Hope I grabbed the right ones for you.

Enclosure (round)
Diameter 23" Outer, 21.5" Inner
Height 20" Outer, 18.5" Inner

Impedance
8 OHM

Port Diameter (1)
4" Outer, 3.75" Inner

Port Length
14"

Amp Watts = 450

Your help is appreciated,
Chris

 

[annunaki]

Ok, here are the dimensions. Hope I grabbed the right ones for you.

Enclosure (round)
Diameter 23" Outer, 21.5" Inner
Height 20" Outer, 18.5" Inner

Impedance
8 OHM

Port Diameter (1)
4" Outer, 3.75" Inner

Port Length
14"

Amp Watts = 450

Your help is appreciated,
Chris

The enclosure is round??? As in a complete circle?
It must not be a sphere as the height is not the same as the diameter. This will be a bit more complicated to figure out, but not impossible.

A picture would help out a lot in this case. You know the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[32cjones]

I guess I can't post a link or picture yet.

 

[32cjones]

Until I post 5 times.

Below is a link to a DIY sub that is the same basic shape as mine. This is just for reference, please don't pay any attention to the specs. But the "look" of mine is real close to this. Thanks.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_6_3/diy-11-sonotube-subwoofer-september-99.html

 

[32cjones]

Also, my sub has only 1 port.

 

[annunaki]

The new Shiva-X can be used in that enclosure with reasonable results. The curve is not what I would hope for but it works I guess.

In a sealed enclosure of the same size it looks much better with an anechoic f3 of 31hz.

The cool thing is that you could seal it for music and unplug the port for movies. The only issue I see with the ported application is that you will have issues with port noise at high volumes below 30hz. With as much excursion as the woofer has it should probably have at least dual 3" ports or dual 4" ports.