How to Fix a Ripped Subwoofer Cone?

Can You Really Fix a Ripped Subwoofer Cone?

Yup! You can quickly fix the ripped part on the cone. However, you need to evaluate the severity of the problem. If you see the tear is less than a one-inch, you can quickly solve it with a subwoofer cone repair kit. In my case, I usually find it cheap to replace the entire cone rather than fixing the current cone.

In your case, if the torn part is significant, then probably, you must replace it with the new one (having the same size and model). Remember that you must acquire some professional skills to execute the issue successfully.

What Tools Are Required to Fix a Cracked Subwoofer Cone?

You have to arrange a subwoofer cone repair kit that must have the following items:

• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Speaker adhesive
• Toothpick
• Soft cloth
• Screwdriver
• Spray paint
• Scissors
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

8 Easy Steps to Fix a Ripped/Cracked Subwoofer Cone:

I hope you have all the essential tools before you start fixing your cracked subwoofer cone. Just follow the steps below:

1. Remove the Subwoofer:

If you have not dismounted the sub from its enclosure or position, it will be impossible for you to heal the subwoofer cone. Therefore, you must remove it from its box. You will need a screwdriver to do the job quickly. Place it on the screws and drive it in an anti-clock direction. Once you remove the screws, gently pull the subwoofer toward yourself by holding it on the edges.

2. Inspect the Severity of the Speaker Cone:

Before you repair the sub’s cone, it’s essential to notice it in detail. I would just check for any tears or holes in the outer foam cover of the speaker and then calculate the tear size using a measuring ruler. You must follow the same. Next, check for any broken joints that could indicate a faulty installation or poor materials used during manufacture. If these are present, you should contact a professional before repairing them. Finally, look over the cone itself for signs of wear and tear – especially if it is made of plastic – as this could indicate damaged material that needs replacement before carrying out further repairs.

3. Clean the Cone:

If your evaluation ends up fixing the current speaker’s cone, you must clean its area of any dust or debris. You can gently wipe away the dirt with a damp or soft cloth. However, you must know that the fabric is not overly wet, as it can cause further damage to the cone’s material (because it’s sensitive). After cleaning the area, allow it to dry before you proceed further.

4. Apply the Speaker Adhesive:

It’s time to heal the speaker cone! Use an appropriate solvent on the area where you want to apply the adhesive. Now drop a small amount of glue on torn site (You must use the recommended amount). After dropping the hot glue, use the toothpick to spread the adhesive on the affected area to cover the entire site.

5. Smooth Out the Glue:

Gently use your finger to smooth out the adhesive. Soothing it out ensures you have correctly distributed it on the torn part. Now let the glue dry by waiting a while before you proceed with the process.

6. Sand the Cone:

You will notice the excess glue on the speaker’s cone after it dries. That’s not a big deal! Start by cleaning off any dust or debris around the rip. Gently, you can use medium grit sandpaper and carefully sand away small fragments of material from around the edges of the tear until it is smooth. If it’s hard to remove the tiny dust particles, you can use an air compressor or vacuum cleaner to do the job. Finally, use fine-grit sandpaper to finish off the repair.

7. Paint the Cone:

Once you have cleaned the speaker cone, it’s time to paint it. Start by preparing the surface by cleaning it with rubbing alcohol and then applying the plastic primer. Once dry, use spray paint that matches the original color of the subwoofer cone. Finish with a very light layer of transparent protective lacquer for added durability. The whole process should take about 4 hours to complete correctly. (You can also use paint brush)

8. Reattach the Subwoofer:

Hurrah! You just fixed the ripped subwoofer cone. Now, place the subwoofer in its mounting position and use the screwdriver to install the screws in their places. While putting it on the screws, firmly drive it clockwise to attach it to the speaker box.

6 Major Reasons That Damage the Speaker Cone:

Here are some potential reasons that damage the subwoofer cone:

1. Overpowering:

Subjecting your subwoofer to too much power can cause the cone to tear and rip. This is called an over-excursion, which occurs when it reaches its maximum displacement level and pushes beyond its mechanical limits.

Too much power will cause distorted sound from the worn thread subwoofer cones, rattling sound caused by broken suspension parts, or even complete failure of the motor structure; this will happen quickly if you continuously overpower your subwoofers at high levels.

To protect against this damage, set gain controls correctly according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

2. Physical Damage:

Any physical damage, such as exposing the subwoofer to heat, improper handling during transportation, or accidentally hitting it with heavy objects, can rip the subwoofer cone. Don’t take overheating easily, as it has a significant potential to damage your speaker cone.

Also, you can face a melted subwoofer voice coil as a result. So, when this happens, you may need to replace the whole subwoofer cone for your system to operate correctly again. Careful handling and proper placement of your subwoofers can help reduce the chances of physical damage.

3. Wear & Age:

Age and wear can cause a subwoofer cone to become brittle, leading to tears or cracks. A repeated vibration of the cone throughout time and long exposures to extreme temperatures and humidity can cause such an incident. If not correctly taken care of, these damages can accelerate over time, causing even more severe damage that affects sound quality.

To avoid this problem, it’s essential to regularly inspect your subwoofer for signs of wear and tear and replace any damaged parts immediately. Additionally, store your subwoofer in an area that won’t be subject to extreme temperatures or high humidity levels.

4. Improper Installations:

Improper subwoofer installation can cause the cone to rip due to its low tolerance for stress and strain. Also, if you mount the subwoofer in the wrong position or too tight, it may cause the speaker cone to tears. We mount subwoofers onto an enclosure that holds them in place, so mishandling during installation can put extra stress on the cone, causing it to tear or rip.

Additionally, incorrect wiring and connecting the wrong type of amplifier can place too much strain on the speaker’s components, placing undue pressure on the cone and potentially ripping it.

5. Water Exposure:

When you expose the subwoofer to water, the cone can become saturated and weak. This happens because when water seeps through the material of the cone, it causes it to expand and contract at different rates, which can cause tearing along the seams.

Additionally, if there is any corrosion or rusting present on metal components inside of the speaker cone, that too can be exacerbated by water exposure and lead to ripping of the blown subwoofer cone. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your car speakers away from moisture at all times!

6. Manufacturing Defects:

In rare cases, subwoofer cones can be damaged by manufacturing defects due to poor design, glue, or adhesive used in construction. It often happens during manufacturing when the subwoofer cone is not correctly centered within the frame, which leads to uneven pressure distribution.

This uneven pressure can cause rips or tears in the cone that may not be visible at first but will eventually lead to a total failure of the component.

Things to Consider Before Repairing a Ripped Cone:

Few things that you must consider before starting the repair for your subwoofer cone:

• Check the damage: You must evaluate if the cone can be repaired or replaced.
• Determine the size: Before beginning the procedure, you must determine the rip size.
• Clean the dirt: You must clean the sub cone properly. Dirt can negatively affect your fixing part.
• Subwoofer age: You must determine the age. If your subwoofer is old, replacing the cone with the new one will be more cost-effective.
• Confidence & experience: You must only follow this procedure if you are fully confident about your expertise that can help you fix the ripped subwoofer cone.
• Repairing cost: You must also consider the repair price. It is sometimes cheaper to replace the subwoofer cone than fix it.
• The warranty: If your subwoofer is under warranty, you must not repair it yourself, as it will void the warranty claim.