4 Signs of a Blown Subwoofer
By Robert Jones · 2020-11-05
If you are not clear whether your subwoofer is blown or facing any other malfunctioning, these signs will help you find out.
## So, You Think Your Subwoofer's Kicked the Bucket? Right then, let's talk subwoofers. We've all been there, pushing our gear a little too hard, and suddenly, that glorious bass either disappears or, worse, starts sounding like a dying badger. It's a gut-wrenching feeling, isn't it? Especially when you've spent good money on a decent bit of kit. I've seen my fair share of knackered subs over the years, both from my own youthful indiscretions with the volume knob and from countless test units that have passed through the SpeakersMag lab. Now, sometimes it's obvious. A puff of smoke, a nasty smell, or maybe that tell-tale silence when the bass line drops. Other times, it's a bit more subtle, and you're left scratching your head, wondering if it's the amp, the cables, or indeed, the sub itself. Don't fret, though; I'm here to give you the lowdown on how to spot a goner. We'll run through the common signs, the ones that scream "blown" louder than a teenager at a rock concert. ### 1. That Awful Scratching Sound (The Voice Coil Rub) This is probably the most classic symptom of a blown subwoofer. You're playing something with a deep bass line, and instead of a clean, rich thump, you get this horrid scratching, buzzing, or scraping noise. It's not subtle. It sounds like someone's dragging sandpaper across a chalkboard, only deeper and more unsettling. What's happening here is the voice coil – that