Issue with subwoofer

[Ban5400]

I purchased a Denon X3800 this year, and though I love the amp, I HAVE found a tonne of cracking and popping with my subwoofer (Infinity PS-10) I purchased in 2003. The cable is about that old.

I've tried adjusting the crossover points, and that made a tiny bit of a difference. My understanding is that I should try replacing the cable.... And if that doesn't work, I need to look into whether the subwoofer will work with that amp.... Maybe they are mismatched? How would I tell if they are mismatched? If they ARE mismatched, how would I learn which subs match that amp?

 

[lovinthehd]

The amp the sub uses is built into the sub. The avr is compatible with any sub that has it's own amp to use (but cannot power a sub directly, it only provides a pre-out for the sub's amp). Replacing the cable might work, could just be dirty pots on the sub, could be an amp on the way out. By crossover are you talking about the avr's crossover between speakers and sub or the sub's own "crossover" (just a low pass filter generally)?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Subwoofer or subwoofer built-in amp might be defective.

 

[j_garcia]

Being from 2003, I would not suspect the cable first, I would suspect the plate amp or driver in the sub. If you happen to have any other device you can test it with (old AVR?), that would for sure eliminate the AVR as the issue. Pops and clicks at the AVR level, I would expect other issues to be occurring with it as well, so the sub is the likely candidate.

 

[TLS Guy]

I purchased a Denon X3800 this year, and though I love the amp, I HAVE found a tonne of cracking and popping with my subwoofer (Infinity PS-10) I purchased in 2003. The cable is about that old.

I've tried adjusting the crossover points, and that made a tiny bit of a difference. My understanding is that I should try replacing the cable.... And if that doesn't work, I need to look into whether the subwoofer will work with that amp.... Maybe they are mismatched? How would I tell if they are mismatched? If they ARE mismatched, how would I learn which subs match that amp?

That sub is well past its useful life. The amp, driver or both are almost certainly failing. I suspect it is time for a new sub, and a more substantial one than that.

 

[Ban5400]

So, I had a spare AV cable laying around in retail packaging for probably 10 years. Opened up the package and tried the new cable. Sound on the sub is a bit better, but it's still doing the clicking.

I've also tried unplugging the sub from the amp, and just left the sub powered on. It doesn't do anything in that scenario. So something certainly appears to be going on from the amp to the subwoofer.

That subwoofer is my only speaker that is so old. The towers are Energy RC-50's and the center is an Energy RC-LCR. Those ones are all at least 5-10 years newer than the PS-10 and seem to be performing flawlessly.

The surrounds and rear surrounds are all PSB in wall speakers and about 5 or 6 years old.

If the sub is in fact the problem, then would a subwoofer such as the Klipsch R101SW 10" subwoofer be a good match? Best Buy has them on sale at the moment. It's a similar size, but 300W instead of 200W.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd say that Klipsch is okay if you get a really good price, but there are better subs for not much more than what they list for. Somewhat depends what you're looking for in bass response and what might be best for your particular room. Don't get too wrapped up in a sub's amp wattage rating....they're not directly comparable from sub to sub (due lack of impedance and sensitivity info).

 

[Bobby Bass]

Agree since you’re looking to get a new sub a couple of details would help. What are the room dimensions? Any limitations on where you can place the sub or size sub based on where you’ll be placing it? Your budget?

 

[Ban5400]

My home theatre room is currently 12.5 feet wide by 35 feet deep. However, I only use the first half of the room as a home theatre. The entire back half is a play room for the kids. The home theatre couch is sitting about 8' away from the TV and subwoofer.

I may be moving homes, so I don't know for sure if those parameters will remain the same.

 

[TLS Guy]

My home theatre room is currently 12.5 feet wide by 35 feet deep. However, I only use the first half of the room as a home theatre. The entire back half is a play room for the kids. The home theatre couch is sitting about 8' away from the TV and subwoofer.

I may be moving homes, so I don't know for sure if those parameters will remain the same.

A room that size needs a much more potent sub than one of those 10". So I suspect you have been overdriving your current sub, which is why it has failed. A room that size really requires a couple of potent subs. I know you listen in the front of the room, but with subs you have to pressurize the entire space.

 

[Bobby Bass]

Agree suggest a pair of subs for that room. You mention you may be moving. Suggest waiting until you know or are in your new place. You don’t want to get subs perfect for your current room and then discover they’re not right in your new place.

 

[Ban5400]

Pardon my apparent newb question.....but if I never run my sub past 50% volume, and hear it fine, why would the sub get damaged due to the size of the room?

 

[lovinthehd]

Pardon my apparent newb question.....but if I never run my sub past 50% volume, and hear it fine, why would the sub get damaged due to the size of the room?

Just because you've got the gain set at 50% on the sub doesn't mean you can't drive it beyond its limits (via signal strength and/or master volume)....altho some subs do put some protection against such in their amp programming....