I have an Elan THP1200SW purchased March 2010. No problems for most of its first year, but without warning it began to exhibit loud pops and crackles in areas of rumbling or impact noises (explosions, fight scenes, even sometimes just the background rumbling of the Enterprise on STNG). Turning the volume down reduces these effects, but I don’t have it on loud to begin with. It’s primarily driven by certain classes of sounds (haven’t experienced it with music, just movies and shows, regardless of media source).
It has always been connected to a UPS, and it’s driven by an Onkyo TX-SR707 receiver. I can only assume there’s an issue with the unit itself, but I gather from Elan’s strict terms that I likely won’t get it serviced under warranty (since purchasing through an online retailer is apparently prohibited).
Any thoughts on possible causes, and better yet solutions?
Links:
Elan THP1200SW: www .elanhomesystems .com/productdetail.asp?id=109
APC UPS: www .apc .com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1300LCD
Onkyo TX-RS707: www .us.onkyo .com/model.cfm?class=Receiver&m=TX-SR707
Elan Warranty: www .elanhomesystems .com/warranty_info.asp
From your post I can't really tell if it is the woofer or the amp that has failed.
I suspect the amp. Those class D amps are the devil for that sort of thing. My guess is that in periods of high current demand, the switching power supply is becoming unstable,
If you gently press the cone of the unit in and out and feel no roughness I would say it is the amp.
Those class D amps are are such a misery to service they are really a throw away item.
Your options are to purchase a new plate amp from Elan, or buy another plate amp from parts express and modify the enclosure to take the new amp. It must seal perfectly.
The other thing you could do it use an external pro amp, like a Behringer or Yamaha and connect the amp directly to the woofer and leave you current amp unplugged in situ.
You could also buy another sub of a different brand like SVS, HSU, Velodyne rhythmic, etc. There are lots to choose from.
You need to take this unit out of service immediately, as it will damage the driver, if it hasn't already. It also dangerous to use electronics that is malfunctioning.
