Subwoofer woes

[TLS Guy]

Yes, I did get a good deal on this subwoofer - however the guy who sold it to me is a friend of mine and wouldn't try to pawn it off on me if it were broken. He had a two week return policy but I took too long getting it setup to figure this out (shame that). It worked fine when we tested it and I don't recall any hum then. The sub is from 1993 as I said, which begins to make me question that thumping as being an inherent flaw from the age of it.

TLS, everything in my system is two prong. The Preamp, amp, CD player, tape deck, turntable, TV, all of it except the 360 which is hooked up to the TV. I thought the 360's three prong plug might have been messing with it but it was humming before I even plugged the 360 in to the outlet. Yes, what you said is correct about the hum when nothing is plugged in. And by "set to Large" I take it you think I'm using a receiver or preamp with such a setting - I am not. There's nothing in there for me to tell it the size of my speakers. I can hardly see no sub being a good alternative to a pair of bookshelves which lack low end without one. I play games and movies on this - point being I need bass for those things.

Just-some-guy, I haven't tried that but I'll give that a go as well. It won't matter if I can eliminate this hum if the sub still thumps when I turn it off - I'd just assume never turn it on in the first place if it's going to do that so for all intents and purposes I'd rather not even use it. It was playing at his house fine with no hum, it just seems to do it in my room.

The final piece of information I need is whether there is hum from your other speakers as well as the sub. Your bookshelves should be able to reproduce AC hum.

If this is a system ground loop, there should be hum from all speakers. If it is only the sub, then the sub is leaking AC into the ground plane and inducing hum in the interconnect to your sub. I assume you have tried another interconnecting cable to your sub, if not do so. If there is hum only from the sub even after a cable exchange, then you likely have a failed diode in the sub amp power supply. The amps in Energy subs have a bad reputation.

If your sub is at fault, then your best solution is to buy another plate amp from Parts Express and mount it on the sub, leaving the current amp in place.

That way you should come out in budget. Even bookshelf speakers should not scream that they need a sub. Any speaker sounding obviously bass deficient is a poor design and not properly balanced.

 

[Shintsu]

The final piece of information I need is whether there is hum from your other speakers as well as the sub. Your bookshelves should be able to reproduce AC hum.

If this is a system ground loop, there should be hum from all speakers. If it is only the sub, then the sub is leaking AC into the ground plane and inducing hum in the interconnect to your sub. I assume you have tried another interconnecting cable to your sub, if not do so. If there is hum only from the sub even after a cable exchange, then you likely have a failed diode in the sub amp power supply. The amps in Energy subs have a bad reputation.

If your sub is at fault, then your best solution is to buy another plate amp from Parts Express and mount it on the sub, leaving the current amp in place.

That way you should come out in budget. Even bookshelf speakers should not scream that they need a sub. Any speaker sounding obviously bass deficient is a poor design and not properly balanced.

They're only bass deficient at reproducing the thunderous sound of a grenade exploding or such - they do fine with music. They do a decent job, but I want a subwoofer to fill in where they drop off to give me the low end punch. I have not actually tried a different connector cable (I figured a brand new thick Monster cable I just opened out of the plastic would be better than the cheap crap I've got around here but worth a shot).

In any case, the speakers do not hum. There is only a very quiet hiss at minimum volume - by no means noticable nor a hum. Forgive my lack of knowledge, but the plate amp is the whole part screwed into the back is it not? I'm not so sure that would be within my budget, I did a quick search and was unable to find a replacement (as I would expect of something this age). It seems more likely that I could sell this locally to someone who doesn't mind the hum and buy a Polk PSW10 until I can afford a more high cost subwoofer (or I come across a good deal on a used one). The hum isn't as bad as it once was, and to my friend who can't hear as well he couldn't even hear the hum. Most people would probably live with it as it's not horridly loud but I still hear it and I'm a perfectionist so it drives me bonkers.

I'll report back on if the wire makes a change in the hum. I very well may hook it up in the other room to see if the hum and thumping are eliminated when on a different system and circuit.

 

[TLS Guy]

They're only bass deficient at reproducing the thunderous sound of a grenade exploding or such - they do fine with music. They do a decent job, but I want a subwoofer to fill in where they drop off to give me the low end punch. I have not actually tried a different connector cable (I figured a brand new thick Monster cable I just opened out of the plastic would be better than the cheap crap I've got around here but worth a shot).

In any case, the speakers do not hum. There is only a very quiet hiss at minimum volume - by no means noticable nor a hum. Forgive my lack of knowledge, but the plate amp is the whole part screwed into the back is it not? I'm not so sure that would be within my budget, I did a quick search and was unable to find a replacement (as I would expect of something this age). It seems more likely that I could sell this locally to someone who doesn't mind the hum and buy a Polk PSW10 until I can afford a more high cost subwoofer (or I come across a good deal on a used one). The hum isn't as bad as it once was, and to my friend who can't hear as well he couldn't even hear the hum. Most people would probably live with it as it's not horridly loud but I still hear it and I'm a perfectionist so it drives me bonkers.

I'll report back on if the wire makes a change in the hum. I very well may hook it up in the other room to see if the hum and thumping are eliminated when on a different system and circuit.

I don't think that Polk Sub will produce Thunder. The type of fault I suspect you have in your plate amp can be quite dangerous. If it is the sub, that unit should be taken out of service until repaired.

I think there are plate amps here well within your budget.

 

[Shintsu]

I don't think that Polk Sub will produce Thunder. The type of fault I suspect you have in your plate amp can be quite dangerous. If it is the sub, that unit should be taken out of service until repaired.

I think there are plate amps here well within your budget.

True, it won't be thunderous but it would be sufficient until I have some more money. I don't see anywhere else I can even get a new sub for $200 - this is a new sub for $100 shipped. Not to worry about the Energy ATM though, it is unplugged. I could swear I had seen someone selling some nice subs on here reasonably but judging from everyone else's definition, $400 is reasonable - not to me on my budget.

Most of those plate amps are expensive to me though, they'd cost more than the whole subwoofer did. Not to mention, I'm not really sure how I'd make those fit - none of them are the exact factory replacement.

 

[TLS Guy]

True, it won't be thunderous but it would be sufficient until I have some more money. I don't see anywhere else I can even get a new sub for $200 - this is a new sub for $100 shipped. Not to worry about the Energy ATM though, it is unplugged. I could swear I had seen someone selling some nice subs on here reasonably but judging from everyone else's definition, $400 is reasonable - not to me on my budget.

Most of those plate amps are expensive to me though, they'd cost more than the whole subwoofer did. Not to mention, I'm not really sure how I'd make those fit - none of them are the exact factory replacement.

That sub is 50 watt and does not reproduce lower than 35 Hz, and they do not quote how many db down it is at 35 Hz! Therefore it is not a sub. Consumer reviews report it is useless, as you would expect. You can not make a sub for that money.

If you are hard up, then don't waste your money on junk. Cheap purchases are the most expensive you ever make.

Your best bet is to buy a plate amp for around $100 and install it in the sub you have.

 

[Shintsu]

No offense, I'll just live without. This old sub is not worth the price I paid to buy it to fix...I still haven't tried a new wire, will try that then it's to the selling block with it...

 

[Shintsu]

An idea which occurred to me after viewing the deals section - would one of those APC power conditioners help with this hum? I was thinking the C3 or C5 due to sheer cheapness. I'd love to buy the H15 since it is such a good savings but I don't have that much to spend. I feel like a fool not to buy the C3 - but I do wish it was black, that would match my system better.

 

[TLS Guy]

An idea which occurred to me after viewing the deals section - would one of those APC power conditioners help with this hum? I was thinking the C3 or C5 due to sheer cheapness. I'd love to buy the H15 since it is such a good savings but I don't have that much to spend. I feel like a fool not to buy the C3 - but I do wish it was black, that would match my system better.

It will make no difference, and be a waste of money.

 

[Shintsu]

Whatever, bought it anyway. Nothing is a waste of money except Monster stuff.

Tried another cable, hum still present. Pop when turning it off is dependent on the sub's level, as is the hum. At lowest volume the hum is almost not noticable. At higher volumes the hum is quite noticable. Any further suggestions?

 

[TLS Guy]

Whatever, bought it anyway. Nothing is a waste of money except Monster stuff.

Tried another cable, hum still present. Pop when turning it off is dependent on the sub's level, as is the hum. At lowest volume the hum is almost not noticable. At higher volumes the hum is quite noticable. Any further suggestions?

For the last time: - The power supply of your plate amp has a fault. Replace the amp, or take your sub to the recycling center. Those are your only options. Its time to stop looking for an opinion you want. If you find on it will be the wrong one.

 

[Cruise Missile]

Fires scare me. That being said, take the advice given here. Faulty electronics get worse not better!