Replace speaker in sub?

[tyler711]

I have no audio-specific knowledge, just general electronic knowledge. I'm 16 and not very wealthy, as you can imagine.

I have an old powered sub, an optimus. Maybe 8-10 years old? Anyway, just had a party, and no more sound from it. So I opened it up, expecting to find a blown fuse on the power supply. The fuse there is good. So I took out the speaker itself and just twisted the wires from my front speakers onto it - no sound. I looked at the backside of the cone itself and the stiff wires are broken where they cross from the chassis of the speaker to the cone?/driver? at the back.

Would it be worth just buying a new speaker and using the existing amp and box? I don't need house shaking power, just enough to complete the soundfield on our HT.

Should I shop for a new amplifier as well? Or will a new speaker be adequate?

I don't know how you are supposed to measure a speaker, but just the cone (not the rubber suspension) is 7.5", the hole on the sub enclosure is a little over 9". What size would this speaker be, and what would you guys recommend as a replacement?

Thanks guys,
Tyler

EDIT: Also, the stock amp inside is 120watts. Is this enough for a decent speaker? It didn't sound that bad when it wasn't so old (it started rattling recently, before the speaker separated). It wants a 4ohm min. speaker.

 

[jaxvon]

What kind of budget are you looking at for this fix?

 

[tyler711]

Well I don't know, I have no idea what it will cost.

How much would a decent new speaker run me? Would also buying a new amplifier be worth the extra money? That's why I'm asking here rather than just ordering something; I have no idea what I should be paying.

 

[tyler711]

I was looking in a Parts Express catalogue that I have (for some reason) and found this. They also have the same sub, but in a High Output version vs. this High Fidelity version, same price. I think it's the right size - is the "B" dimension the hole size? If so, 9 1/4" sounds just right. And it handles 350/600 watts (or 600/1000 for the high output one) so I could upgrade the amp later, right?

Ty

 

[jaxvon]

If you're on a budget, you might wanna consider the Cadence Xsub. It doesn't go deep, but it can hit hard and has a beefy amp. It's $249 with free shipping:

http://www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=601472909&refLoc=searchall

 

[tyler711]

Thanks Jaxvon. So you think it would be more cost effective to just get a whole new sub than try to repair my RadioShack one?

 

[Tomorrow]

More in line with your budget and equivalent replacement for the RS sub is an Advent 1200. It's $79 with free shipping from Amazon.com. Can't beat that. I've heard it and it performs pretty well to sub-30Hz.

 

[tyler711]

Any reason that sub is so cheap? Is the quality poor? Even on a budget, I hate buying low-end equipment, as it usually costs more in the long run. But if it is a decent product I'd buy it.

So new sub is the way to go, rather than just a new driver?

 

[jaxvon]

I'd stay away from teh Advent. There's a point where cheap is cheap, not inexpensive. I honestly think your best bet is to go with the Cadence. The box on your Radio Shack sub is probably not built too well, and the 120 watt amp will struggle with the quality driver you linked to earlier. The Cadence is a solidly built subwoofer with a beefy amp and a good driver. At the price, there's little compeition.

Search around on these forums for "Cadence" and "Xsub". You'll find a lot of info.

 

[Tomorrow]

The Advent is not the most robust sub, but it's better than the Optimus it would be replacing. The XSub is undoubtedly better performing. My suggestion was one of price convenience and performance matching. Is the Cadence worth 3X the Advent? I don't know, but doubt it.

Jaxvon, I've seen and played with the Advent. It's not "cheap" like something you'd buy in Tia Juana. LOL. It's solid, is decently built, and looks good. It depends on what is wanted in this case. For 79 bucks, it's a GREAT subwoofer. For $249, is the Cadence a GREAT subwoofer? Ya know what I mean?!

 

[tyler711]

Thanks for the help you guys. I'll search the boards and keep those two in mind.

For the dead sub I have, could I just buy a cheap driver from somewhere (like the $20 ones) and just not use it too loudly? Seems like a waste to throw out a working amp and case. Would something like this be appropriate? Or any of the other sub-30 dollar drivers they have there?

The front speakers I have now have 8 inch bass drivers in them, so I have somewhat decent bass for TV and movies. If I fixed the sub, it would just be to augment the sound I am getting from the system now.

Tyler

 

[Sheep]

tyler,

I'm in the same boat as you my friend. I have a 11 3/4 cubed subwoofer box thats sealed and has a 400watt amp, but the driver broke. The only problem is the mounting flang is recessest(typo) so the driver can not be any larger in diameter then 10inches. Try finding a 10inch driver thats maximum dia. is 10inches


Anywho....


Those 2 subs mentioned would be a safe bet, because they will work forsure, swapping drivers is a gamble, as you never know how it will work.


Sheep

 

[patnshan]

Thanks for the help you guys. I'll search the boards and keep those two in mind.

For the dead sub I have, could I just buy a cheap driver from somewhere (like the $20 ones) and just not use it too loudly? Seems like a waste to throw out a working amp and case. Would something like this be appropriate? Or any of the other sub-30 dollar drivers they have there?

The front speakers I have now have 8 inch bass drivers in them, so I have somewhat decent bass for TV and movies. If I fixed the sub, it would just be to augment the sound I am getting from the system now.

Tyler

The cheapest way to do it is to do what you are thinking. The only problem is that it may sound like crap given a different driver being optimized for a different sized enclosure, etc. It may be tough to match that with a new driver.

I see three options:

1. Call radioshack (they make that sub) and ask them if there is a replacement driver in the catalogue, or you could search for one on google using the model number of the sub.

2. Call partsexpress and tell them your issue, the details on the sub, and they can tell you what driver they have that might work.

3. Post your issue on a DIY audio forum to solicit responses. Those DIY guys will probably have more info for you that we do here.

Good luck,

Pat

Another thing, you cannot link to parts express on this forum, it's a rule. That's why your link doesn't work.

 

[tyler711]

Thank you very much guys, you have been a lot of help.

I didn't realize my links weren't working well, is that because PartsExpress has a bad word in it that the filters catch? Or if it is a rule not to link there, I apologize.

I'll live without a sub for now, until I can convince the parents that we need one to keep our HT up to date (I'm the family nerd and run the electronics in the house, just have a tough time getting my finance propositions passed).

I'll also call RS or PE and see what they have to say, after looking on yahoo.

Thanks,
Ty

 

[Sheep]

Thank you very much guys, you have been a lot of help.

I didn't realize my links weren't working well, is that because PartsExpress has a bad word in it that the filters catch? Or if it is a rule not to link there, I apologize.

I'll live without a sub for now, until I can convince the parents that we need one to keep our HT up to date (I'm the family nerd and run the electronics in the house, just have a tough time getting my finance propositions passed).

I'll also call RS or PE and see what they have to say, after looking on yahoo.

Thanks,
Ty

The links were banned because they were shamlessly advertising on this forum, some member worked for them.Parts express can be linked to as partexpress its the same site.

www.partexpress.com

Sheep

 

[patnshan]

Thank you very much guys, you have been a lot of help.

I didn't realize my links weren't working well, is that because PartsExpress has a bad word in it that the filters catch? Or if it is a rule not to link there, I apologize.

I'll live without a sub for now, until I can convince the parents that we need one to keep our HT up to date (I'm the family nerd and run the electronics in the house, just have a tough time getting my finance propositions passed).

I'll also call RS or PE and see what they have to say, after looking on yahoo.

Thanks,
Ty

Let us know how it works out. I guarantee somebody will have a similar question in the future. I'd like to hear what you find out.

Thanks,

Pat

 

[tyler711]

Took about 3 seconds on yahoo to find a parts list/ manual from Radioshack: http://support.radioshack.com/support_audio/14206.htm . The parts list has a number to call; I don't think that RS would stock all those parts. I'll let you know what I end up doing with it.

I hate calling and trying to explain, I'll just print that parts list and talk to the RS guy next time I'm at the mall.

 

[patnshan]

Took about 3 seconds on yahoo to find a parts list/ manual from Radioshack: http://support.radioshack.com/support_audio/14206.htm . The parts list has a number to call; I don't think that RS would stock all those parts. I'll let you know what I end up doing with it.

I hate calling and trying to explain, I'll just print that parts list and talk to the RS guy next time I'm at the mall.

26 11281482 WOOFER,10" SP0599

That looks like it. I would be careful about the price, as parts can cost a bit. Make sure it's worth it to you to replace rather than buying a different one. The 10 inch at partsexpress is around $100 I think.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[tyler711]

I bet that the driver in the RS sub is a very cheap one, looking at it it seems to be medium quality. PE has some 10" woofers for 15 and 9 dollars each. If RS wants more than around 20 bucks I'll bag it.

 

[tyler711]

Hey guys. One more thing. We just got a new tv, so I figured that I would consider buying a decent sub (and I emailed RS today with a price request anyway). I like the looks of that advent 1200, it seems to be on a big sale, but am worried about the "you get what you pay for" thing. THe new tv will be in a smaller room, so power won't be too needed, but I'd like one of decent quality. Is the advent a well-built unit?

I also saw this in parts express. In the catalog, it says 300w all over the description, but online it is the exact same text, but with 150w inserted (a correction, I'd imagine). Would I be better off with that or the advent?

I'm just afraid that the inexpensive advent would be aimed at people who don't know what they are doing (which I try not to be). Thanks

Tyler