Sub Cuts Out When Bass Hits

11 Reasons Why Sub Cuts Out When Bass Hits:

Before you troubleshoot the problem, it’s essential to know every reason that may cause the sub to be cut out:

1. Improper Power Supply:

Your car audio can work properly only if you provide recommended power to the system. However, it could be underpowered relative to the demands of the signal, which in turn causes it to draw too much energy to produce the bass and ‘fuse’ momentarily.

Alternatively, it may not be stable enough and suffer voltage spikes or instability that can affect performance. If not given attention on time, it can also cause overloading, resulting in short circuits or damage to internal parts. So, both the over and insufficient power supply can cause the subwoofer to cut off when the bass hits. You can use a multimeter to test the battery voltage to confirm if this is causing the issue.

2. Bad Ground Connection (Ground Loop):

A bad ground connection causes the ground loop, resulting in no or weakened bass output from the subwoofer when it hits. When this happens, the current from the car amplifier will flow through the ground wire and create a disruptive electromagnetic field.

The bass notes can act as a pulse, causing an increasing voltage in the circuit and drawing even more current through it. If there’s too much current circulating, your car amp won’t be able to handle it and will shut down or reduce its output power for safety reasons.

3. Overheating:

Sometimes, the subwoofer works excellently, but suddenly, it can stop working. That’s because of overheating. Some car subwoofers come with a unique feature that lets them turn off when the temperature rises so much. The same goes for the car amplifier, as the amp will go into protection mode (protect mode) after being overheated.

If not fixed on time, the heat can cause internal components to expand physically, leading to a short circuit which causes the amp to shut down temporarily until you fix the affected part.

4. Severe Voltage Drop:

As mentioned above, the sub needs current to work correctly, and an insufficient power supply can cause it not to hit the bass when needed. This is because a voltage drop reduces the amount of power reaching your subwoofer, decreasing its performance.

When this happens, it may cause the woofer to distort or make popping sounds and eventually shut off altogether as it tries to cope with too little power. You can use a multimeter to check the voltage of the power source, such as a car battery or alternator.

5. Wiring Problems:

Thin, faulty, or even lose wiring can cause such an unfortunate. If the cables are too thin, they cannot handle a large enough current. This restricts the flow of electricity and, thus, the sound from your subwoofer. Faulty wiring can also cause an intermittent connection between the receiver and the car amp, resulting in audio distortion and possibly cutting out of bass at higher levels. Loose power wire connections can also reduce power output to the system components.

6. Blown Fuse:

A blown fuse can cause a subwoofer to cut out when playing bass-heavy music due to an overload of power. It happens when the wattage coming through the speaker exceeds what the fuse can handle and causes it to blow, interrupting power flowing from your car amplifier to your subwoofer, allowing only enough juice for primary sound output, which cuts out at higher volumes where more power is needed.

7. Low-Quality Head Unit:

Sometimes, you use the poor quality head unit for a subwoofer that needs more power to produce bass that your head unit cannot provide. So, connecting the car sub with the low-quality head unit can cause it to cut off when the bass hits, as it doesn’t have enough power to reproduce the sound accurately and completely.

Additionally, these underpowered head units are not designed for the high-powered audio system, even if you use a compatible external amplifier. You may also face distortion or clipping and sound cutting out during higher volumes for bass levels.

8. Setting Gain Too High:

If you accidentally set the amp’s gain too high, you may face distortion, clipping, or even no sound when the bass hits. You can adjust the level of input signals from the gain control on the amp’s gain, which can affect the output level sent to the subwoofer. If you set the gain too high, it can cause the amp’s overloading, resulting in signal distortion or even clipping. All this happens because the amplifier has reached the maximum output voltage.

9. Defective Subwoofer:

When the subwoofer is being overdriven, it will be unable to handle the extra strain, and could result in cutting out bass. Additionally, if a wire between the subwoofer and amplifier/receiver is loose or frayed, this could also cause sporadic sound interruption when receiving heavy bass.

Finally, if a voice coil in one of the speakers has gone wrong, it may no longer respond appropriately when large amounts of bass come through. These issues can lead to problems with hearing low-end audio correctly and should be addressed for optimal listening experience.

10 Faulty Amplifier:

Faulty car amps can cause the subwoofers to cut out when the bass hits due to a lack of power. When the bass is played, the car amplifier doesn’t have enough ability to boost it, causing sound distortion or “clipping” on specific frequencies and causing the subwoofer to cut out as it’s unable to handle sudden loud noises.

11. Bad Alternator:

It may seem unrealistic, but a nasty alternator can cause the subwoofer to cut off when it hits the bass. A car’s alternator is responsible for charging the car battery and powering the electrical system, including your car amplifier and the woofer. If your alternator has stopped working correctly, it may not give your car amplifier enough power to play your subwoofer efficiently.

9 Steps to Troubleshoot the Car Subwoofer Cutting off When Bass Hits:

Now that we know the possible reasons behind this fixing the subwoofer’s bass-cutting behavior will be much easier. Follow the below steps:

1. Check & Provide the Sufficient Power:

The easiest way to do this is to match your car amplifier’s and subwoofer’s wattage. To determine if there is a mismatch, try reducing the volume and see if the issue persists; if it does, it’s likely a power issue. If not, check for other possibilities, such as loose wires or improper placement of speakers. Additionally, check for any loose screws or connectors on the back panel of your subwoofer that may be preventing electricity from flowing correctly.

2. Check & Fix the Ground Connection:

You should visually inspect if the ground wire is connected correctly to the car’s chassis. Also, look for corroded or loosened ground wire. If you find any dirt on the ground wires, use sandpaper or a wire brush to clean it. You can do the same for the ground point too.

Ensure your ground pointing is free of rust, dirt, or paint coating to establish a good connection. I use a ground loop isolator for an extra security layer, which helps separate the ground connection between the audio equipment and the car’s electrical system, preventing interference and noise. Ultimately, ensure you use a perfect gauge wire for your subwoofer and amplifier.

3. Improve Ventilation:

To ensure the subwoofer is not running too hot, you can move your subwoofer to an area with more airflow. Checking for dust buildup and removing them can also help reduce heat-related issues in your speaker. Ensure all vents on the speakers are unobstructed, allowing air to flow freely through them and keeping temperatures lower to maintain consistent sound quality levels.

4. Upgrade Your Head Unit:

An upgraded head unit will allow you to adjust the sound settings without degrading the performance of your car audio system. Additionally, some head units offer dedicated subwoofer pre-outs, which provide extra power and ensure that the signal remains consistent even at high volumes, minimizing distortion and clipping, guaranteeing a clean sound with plenty of punchy basses for a more enjoyable listening experience. Also, you must set the recommended HPF and LPF on the head unit for optimal results.

5. Upgrade the Alternator:

Upgrading the alternator can reduce or eliminate the issue of subwoofer cuts out when the bass hits. A high-output alternator will provide more current and voltage to the amplifier, allowing it to produce deeper and higher-quality sound waves when you play the bass.

This extra power ensures the car amplifier has enough power even with increased demand during heavy bass sequences. An upgraded car’s alternator eliminates this issue by providing that your system always has adequate electrical power.

6. Replace the Blown Fuse:

To check and replace the blown fuse, ensure you have the right tools and follow these steps:

1. Turn off your car audio system.
2. Unplug your power car amplifier or subwoofer from its socket (finding the fuse box could be tricky).
3. Locate the correct fuse for your system in its holder; if it’s blown, discard it appropriately – replacing it with a new one of the same rating and type is essential to avoid any damage to your setup.
4. Reconnect all cables back into their respective ports securely – that should do the trick!

7. Fix the Defective Subwoofer:

You must remove your subwoofer from its mounting position to check the defective parts. Visually inspect the subwoofer for any wear and tears. If you see any issues with the subwoofer’s components, replace them with new ones. Ensure you follow the safety tips to prevent further damage to your subwoofer. You can ask for professional help if you find it difficult to replace them yourself.

8. Upgrade Your Car Battery:

Higher quality and a larger car battery will be able to provide more reliable power, which means that sound levels won’t dip and cause any audio distortion due to insufficient current. Additionally, upgrading the car battery’s charging capacity is also necessary to keep the voltage level consistent and prevent sudden drops in power.

Being mindful of grounding issues is also essential, as a loose or poor ground connection can cause buzzing sounds or even subwoofer cuts out when the bass hits.

9. Use a Power Cap:

Using a power cap, also known as a power capacitor, can eliminate the subwoofer cutting out when the bass hits by providing an electrical storage device that helps stabilize power output. This ensures that the subwoofer gets a consistent and reliable power supply without experiencing drops or surges in voltage.

A good rule of thumb for choosing the fitting power cap for your needs is to get one with at least twice as much farad rating than the wattage of your amplifier.