If your speaker just stops working or is creating buzzing sounds in between, it probably means your subwoofer is blown. If your subwoofer is damaged, there is no need to throw it away as you can repair it effectively with a guide. Now there are various factors that contribute to the damage to your speakers. Hence, the process of repair varies from easy to difficult depending on the nature of the problem after examining what is wrong with your subwoofer.
How to Fix a Blown Subwoofer – Step-by-Step Comprehensive Guide
This article offers an insight on how to fix a blown subwoofer based on the nature of the issue and possible outcomes with a step-by-step comprehensive guide.
What is a Subwoofer?
A subwoofer is a component designed to create an enhanced bass with a low-frequency sound that improves the texture and quality of music overall. It comes in different diameters and depths that add a strong character to your audio quality making it better and functional for large venues. Most commonly, these elements come in two different kinds.
- A powered Subwoofer, also referred to as the active subwoofer, is a self-contained system that uses the speaker/ amplifier configuration and uses the car receiver for power with a single cable. Here’s a guide on top powered subwoofers in the market.
- Passive Subwoofers are the elements that demand an external amplifier for power to establish a low-frequency bass for effective working and high audio quality. On the whole, both the elements work fine when it comes to efficiency and high-end music quality.
Here, it is important to monitor the power level as the over or underpowered subwoofer can cause damage that can tear the cone and suspension material. Hence, a stabilizer is required in this case.
Why does Subwoofer Get Blown?
The main cause of your subwoofer getting blown is usually related to power as a little change in this concern can bring large damage. First of all, the overpowering range can damage the voice coil that eventually leads to the breaking of the yoke of the speaker. To indicate when your subwoofer is blown because of overpowering, try to notice a large buzzing sound in the music that is usually a sign of damage.
Secondly, underpowering is a similar phenomenon that can make the subwoofer out of order by overheating it. This can tear the signals by jamming the voice coil that can damage the amplifier making the sound distorted and break in between the signals. Hence, always try to follow the range that is mentioned on the speaker’s RMS as otherwise, it can cause problems and inconvenience for you.
Step 1: Detach the Speaker and Check the Voice Coil
Voice coil is an important feature when it comes to the subwoofer and plays a vital role in amplifying the signals that are passing through your speaker. Here, to access this part of your speaker, you can use a method of a multimeter. For detection, connect the speaker terminals to the multimeter and check if there is any resistance. So, if there is no resistance, you might need to proceed further as the coil is damaged with no current flowing through this.
Step 2: Now Check the Speaker Cone
If for instance your voice coil has no damage and is showing resistance, you can go for the speaker cone. That is another possibility that is causing the blown subwoofer. This part of your speaker is built on the suspension system and for checking purposes, try to push the cone along the circumference of the cone and likewise, the sides. So, if the cone slips back in the position, there is nothing wrong with the cone. Yet, if you feel the sides to be stiff and rigid, this is a fact that your cone is damaged.
Step 3: Separate the Speaker from the Frame and Remove the Speaker Surround
Once you are done examining different parts of the speaker and knowing what is wrong with the speaker, you can proceed further. Now, you can start the restoration process by dis-assembling your speaker from the frame. For this purpose, grab a screwdriver and a repair kit that can help you in the whole process. Once you are done, remove the screws and wire with the tools and note that you might need to know the position of each wire for easy re-fit as after repairing, you will have to start the speaker as otherwise, it can cause a scratchy noise in the audio background. Also, keep in mind to place all the screws in the same place as any misplacing will land you in big trouble.
Later, when the speakers are completely detached and all the wires and screws removed, you can proceed further to remove the surround from the speaker enclosure. For this purpose, try to grab a sharp blade or any tool with sharp edges that is able to remove the glue that is keeping the surround in place. Here, while you are removing the glue, keep in mind not to over go with it as it can puncture the edges that are very delicate and can damage it completely.
Step 4: Now Remove the Speaker Cone and a Voice Coil
Once you are done with that, now detach the speaker cone and a voice coil with an object that has sharp edges and is able to remove the glue that is keeping it attached. Here, remember to cut the wires of the subwoofer and carefully remove these two objects and keep them separately for further operations.
Step 5: Replace the Voice Coil and the Speaker Cone
Voice coil is the first thing that is keeping the system intact and working. First of all, cut the voice call by cutting the foam surround and the dust cover wires that are attached to the system. Hence, after removing the voice coil, clean the system as it is significant for smooth working. Here, use an air compressor or a vacuum to remove the extra dust or debris.
Now, take a new voice coil and fix it inside the gap with a fresh spider around it. Once you are done with this, apply the glue to keep the system together and carefully place this in the center of the new voice coil. Let the glue dry for at least 24 hours for perfect sticking. You can similarly follow the process for the speaker cone and in the end, make sure to keep the parts in place.
Step 6: Fix the Speaker Frame
Now as you have perfectly replaced the voice coil, the next thing you can do is to put back the speaker enclosure system together. For this job, you can carefully use the glue to connect the edges with the system frame and the speaker surround. Now, let it cool down for 24 hours for the exact application.
Step 7: Reassemble the System and Fix Other Parts
Now take a moment and start putting all the components together. The last step of this process is to reassemble the parts so that the speaker comes back to normal working. Here, you must remember that the wires you detached in the initial process need to be positioned at the same location for smooth working.
Thereby, simply take the wires that were attached to the old voice coil or speaker cone and just attach them to where the old wires were connected in the new system. Now, use the soldering iron to assist you in the process and ensure they are held together in the correct position.
Now start examining whether the system is working properly. For this, push the coil around the edges and the circumference of the speaker, if it goes back to the position, it probably means your system is ready to work. Also, check the quality of sound and resistance as explained in the first step to check if the voice coil is doing its functions properly, if you are not hearing any buzzing sound in between, it means you are ready to go.
Now finally, reattach all the parts and fit your subwoofer in the firm position with the frame using the mounting screws. Connect your subwoofer to the device and enjoy endless high-quality music with the perfect amplified sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you repair a blown subwoofer?
Yes, you can repair a blown subwoofer effectively at home with a limited repair kit and a multimeter. If the problem mainly lies in the voice coil and the speaker coin by overpowering or underpowering the system, you can simply replace both by using a process that is mentioned above. It is a cost-effective method and can save you a lot of money if you were to invest in the technician or a new subwoofer.
How do you know your subwoofer is blown?
You can examine any damage in your subwoofer by checking the voice coil and the speaker cone. First of all, check the voice coil by using the multimeter method. In this instance, connect the terminal of the voice coil with the multimeter, if it doesn’t show resistance, your voice coil is damaged and needs replacement. To check the speaker cone, gently press the sides and circumference of the speaker, if it doesn’t come back to its initial position, the cone is damaged and needs replacement.
What is the difference between a passive and powered subwoofer?
Subwoofers come in two different types usually known as a powered and a passive subwoofer. First of all, the powered subwoofers are famous for their self-functioning abilities that demand no external amplifier for working and produce a low-frequency bass that provides you with high-quality audio. On the other side, the passive subwoofer with an external amplifier produces a low-frequency bass for high-end audio quality and smooth working.
What are the tools you need in repairing a blown subwoofer?
The process of repairing a subwoofer is easy and doesn’t need a lot of apparatus. To fix the subwoofer, you might need a screwdriver to remove mounting screws, a soldering iron to keep the system in place, an air compressor, or a vacuum to clean any kind of dust and debris present in the system. Further, you need a multimeter to examine the voice coil, a glue to attach different parts, and finally, a knife or any object with sharp edges to remove the surrounding foam.
What are the reasons for the blown subwoofer?
There are many reasons for your subwoofer not working or creating a buzzing sound in between, yet the main cause lies in not providing the exact power that is required for smooth working. Hence, firstly, overpowering the system can damage the voice coil and eventually can crash the cone of the speaker. On the other side, underpowering a system can overheat the speaker that can damage the coil and speaker that can eventually lead to a damaged speaker.
Final Thoughts
Wrapping up, a subwoofer is of supreme importance when it comes to low-frequency bass and highly amplified sound quality that can add a boom to your music. Now, to make all this possible, you need your subwoofer to perfectly work with the speaker and serve you in the process of enjoying music. If you have a blown subwoofer, don’t throw it away and try to start the repair with this complete, comprehensive, and detailed step-by-step guide.
Henceforth, by using this guide, you can effectively repair your damaged subwoofer and make it functional again. Just follow these steps and save your money with this alternative. No matter how difficult the process is, you can simply solve it with this detailed guide with a cost-effective process.
