What Does a Blown Subwoofer Sound Like?
A music enthusiast knows the value of a subwoofer. Why shouldn’t he? Subwoofers can really enhance the overall car stereo system or home theater. It doesn’t matter if you limit the loudness to yourself or want to make it loud outside the car. But what if your subwoofer starts giving you an unusual sound? Now that’s the most terrific nightmare for a bass lover.
I don’t know about you, but as a car audio enthusiast, these unusual sounds from the subwoofers have given me a bad experience. Now let’s find out what does a blown subwoofer sound like!
Why Does a Subwoofer Blow?
Subwoofers are speakers that produce low-frequency sound. They’re often used to enhance the bass in home and car audio systems. Unfortunately, subwoofers can be prone to failure, and one of the most common problems is that they will suddenly stop working or “blow out.” Several factors can cause this issue.
- Overpowering: When you power a subwoofer with an amplifier that provides too much wattage, it can cause damage to the speaker.
- Low-quality audio source: If the audio source being played through the subwoofer is of low quality or has too strong a signal, it can cause the speaker to blow out.
- Internal damage: If a subwoofer has been damaged internally, it can cause it to stop working or even “blow out” completely. Subwoofer damage can be caused by rough handling during transportation or installation and general wear and tear.
- Poor Installation: If you don’t wire the subwoofer correctly or position it, it can cause excessive strain on the speaker and result in a blown-out subwoofer.
- Overheating: If you use a subwoofer for too long without breaks or ventilation, it can overheat ⁽¹⁾ and blow out due to thermal stress on its components.
Moreover, you can also read our detailed guide on the reasons that make the subwoofer rattle.
How Does a Blown Subwoofer Sound Like?:
A blown subwoofer can make a variety of different sounds, depending on the severity of the damage.
- Scratchy Crumbling Noise
- Subwoofer Cracks a Lot
- It Sounds Like Something Has Stuck Between the Coil
- Popping Noise
- Constant Rattling Noise
- Squealing or Whistling Noise
- Loud Thumping Sound
The following audio is the sound effect of a blown subwoofer:
1. Scratchy Crumbling Noise:
A blown subwoofer can no longer correctly play back the audio signal. This causes distorted sound waves, resulting in scratchy and crumbling noises from the subwoofer. The distortion of these sound waves typically occurs when an amplifier is overloaded or when you play the subwoofer at too high a volume.
2. Subwoofer Cracks a Lot:
A blown subwoofer will likely make a lot of crackling sounds because the voice coil may be loose or have detached from its suspension. The voice coil moves within the magnetic gap, which can cause a loss of control over the movement when damaged. As a result, the cone begins to move randomly, creating a crackling sound.
3. It Sounds Like Something Has Stuck Between the Coil:
This issue is caused by the subwoofer’s cone becoming stuck between the coil and the magnet. This can occur when you provide too much power to the subwoofer or if moisture gets into the cone. When this happens, it obstructs the airflow of the woofer, making a rattling sound that sounds like something has stuck between the coil.
4. Popping Noise:
When you blow a subwoofer, the voice coil might be damaged, which can cause an abnormal electrical current to flow. This causes a build-up of heat that eventually makes the speaker cone move in and out quickly, creating a popping sound. In some cases, the damage may be so severe that it produces smoke or sparks.
5. Constant Rattling Noise:
The voice coil can become worn and begin to touch the magnet that surrounds it every time it moves back and forth. This causes the rattling noise as the movements of the voice coil to create vibrations in the form of sound waves.
6. Squealing or Whistling Noise:
A blown subwoofer can produce a squealing or whistling noise due to several common causes. One cause could be that the speaker is not connected correctly, leading to an electrical short or incorrect wiring that results in feedback. A blown subwoofer can also produce this sound due to damage to its voice coil, magnet, or other components. The sound can sometimes be caused by air escaping from a damaged speaker cone.
7. Loud Thumping Sound:
This is known as “bottoming out” and occurs when the subwoofer’s suspension system has reached its excursion limits. As a result, the cone cannot move any further, so it slams against the back of its enclosure, producing an audible thumping sound. The thump loudness will depend on how much force was used to move the cone and how severely it has been damaged.
General FAQs
How Does a Torn Voice Coil Sound Like?
A torn voice coil can dramatically alter the sound of an audio system. When a voice coil tears, it becomes separated from its connection to the speaker cone and begins to vibrate against the inside walls of the speaker cabinet. This produces a distorted, tinny sound with less clarity than before.
The higher frequencies become particularly malformed as they are affected more than lower frequencies. That can make it difficult to distinguish one instrument from another as the sound becomes muddied and unclear.
What Are the Signs of a Blown Subwoofer?
If your subwoofer isn’t performing as it should, it could be a sign that it has blown. Symptoms of a blown subwoofer include distorted or fuzzy sound from the speaker, rattling noises, and reduced sound quality overall. If you notice these signs when playing music, chances are your subwoofer is damaged and needs to be replaced. Otherwise, you can read our article to tell whether your subwoofer is blown.
Can You Test a Blown Subwoofer by Pushing It With Your Hand?
You can quickly test it by gently pushing in on the subwoofer’s cone with your hand. If you hear a rattling or distorted sound coming from the speaker, this is likely an indication that the subwoofer has blown. Be careful not to push too hard, as it could damage the speaker further.