Subwoofer is probably on its way out. Options?

[Speedster911]

So, I've had this sound system since the early 2000s, served me well for 20+ years. I've pushed it to the limit with most gaming sessions but I think the subbie is showing sings of wear.

On loud volume with lots of bass, the woofer is making a rattling sound, as if the voice coil and/or cone is not working as it should. At this point, is it worth getting it repaired? Can subwoofers even be repaired to begin with? Or better to just get the entire unit replaced?

Did a bass test on YT - the sub is definitely not vibrating and kicking out air like it should.

Keen to have your thoughts if you've had a similar experience. What would you do if you were me?

Note: Buying a new sound system not an option at the moment. Did consider headphones but I'm not a HP guy, always used amp and speakers since the days of the SNES.

 

[Sum1s2pid]

If the speaker's cone or surround is torn, dropping in a new speaker is pretty easy and cheap. If it's an issue with the built-in amp, then it might be less of a headache to check online for deals on a whole new sub.

 

[TB]

After 20 years, the sub has done its job. Let it retire in peace and get a new one.

Better yet, get two. You get more even bass response with multiple subs. Think of it like going from mono to stereo speakers. It's not inherently louder just because there's two, it just sounds better.

 

[Speedster911]

If the speaker's cone or surround is torn, dropping in a new speaker is pretty easy and cheap. If it's an issue with the built-in amp, then it might be less of a headache to check online for deals on a whole new sub.

I don't think it's the amp. It's kicking out bass but on the really low and "thunderous" low frequency effects (which you feel more than you hear), it starts to make this annoying rattling sound as if something is torn inside and the air pressure is not being relieved with optimal force. Think rumble and LFE coming out of the sub with thunder and rain in games/movies or the tank mission in COD WWII - when you move the tank, it creates this glorious rumble, but of course, I am now mostly hearing that as a rattle and not a heart-piercing 'rumble'.

So, explosions, gunfire, aircraft engines in FS, bikes and cars in Forza/Ride still sound great, but whenever there is a really low frequency effect, like you're inside a house and there's 'thunder clap' outside, the bass aftershock effect from that isn't great due to the rattling. Do you suppose this is the cone or voice coil not doing its work? Or both?

I'm trying to find a replacement sub for my unit's model, no luck so far.

After 20 years, the sub has done its job. Let it retire in peace and get a new one.

Better yet, get two. You get more even bass response with multiple subs. Think of it like going from mono to stereo speakers. It's not inherently louder just because there's two, it just sounds better.

Hmm, 20+ years is a good stretch, isn't it? I was heartbroken man, it's served me very well from the X360 all the way to the Series X. Two woofers right now is not an option as my amp/unit can only accommodate one. I have tried to find the exact same piece as a replacement, no such luck.

One guy at an audio repair shop said it can be "made" or reconditioned supposedly, but I don't know if that's worth it or it will even kick out the same level of bass after it's received all the "bandages".

 

[Sum1s2pid]

I don't think it's the amp. It's kicking out bass but on the really low and "thunderous" low frequency effects (which you feel more than you hear), it starts to make this annoying rattling sound as if something is torn inside and the air pressure is not being relieved with optimal force. Think rumble and LFE coming out of the sub with thunder and rain in games/movies or the tank mission in COD WWII - when you move the tank, it creates this glorious rumble, but of course, I am now mostly hearing that as a rattle and not a heart-piercing 'rumble'.

So, explosions, gunfire, aircraft engines in FS, bikes and cars in Forza/Ride still sound great, but whenever there is a really low frequency effect, like you're inside a house and there's 'thunder clap' outside, the bass aftershock effect from that isn't great due to the rattling. Do you suppose this is the cone or voice coil not doing its work? Or both?

I'm trying to find a replacement sub for my unit's model, no luck so far.

Hmm, 20+ years is a good stretch, isn't it? I was heartbroken man, it's served me very well from the X360 all the way to the Series X. Two woofers right now is not an option as my amp/unit can only accommodate one. I have tried to find the exact same piece as a replacement, no such luck.

One guy at an audio repair shop said it can be "made" or reconditioned supposedly, but I don't know if that's worth it or it will even kick out the same level of bass after it's received all the "bandages".

It could be something as simple as the surround separating from the cone, or a tear, especially if they're foam. If it's easy to pop off a grill and check your driver, that'd be a decent first step. Might be able to do a band-aid fix with rubber cement while you're hunting down a replacement driver. If a replacement is pricey, I'd just save up for a new sub.

If everything looks fine, then I don't know what it could be. Something inside the enclosure got rattled loose and needs a bit of glue (dampening material or wires)? Kid's toy? Dead mouse? 🤔

 

[Speedster911]

If the speaker's cone or surround is torn, dropping in a new speaker is pretty easy and cheap. If it's an issue with the built-in amp, then it might be less of a headache to check online for deals on a whole new sub.

I don't think it's the amp. It's kicking out bass but on the really low and "thunderous" low frequency effects (which you feel more than you hear), it starts to make this annoying rattling sound as if something is torn inside and the air pressure is not being relieved with the correct force. I'm trying to find a replacement sub for my unit's model, no luck so far.

After 20 years, the sub has done its job. Let it retire in peace and get a new one.

Better yet, get two. You get more even bass response with multiple subs. Think of it like going from mono to stereo speakers. It's not inherently louder just because there's two, it just sounds better.

Hmm, 20+ years is a good stretch, isn't it? I was heartbroken man, it's served me very well from the X360 all the way to the Series X. Two woofers right now is not an option as my amp/unit can only accommodate one. I have tried to find the exact same piece as a replacement, no such luck.

One guy at an audio repair shop said it can be "made" or reconditioned supposedly, but I don't know if that's worth it or it will even kick out the same level of bass after it's received all the "bandages".

It could be something as simple as the surround separating from the cone, or a tear, especially if they're foam. If it's easy to pop off a grill and check your driver, that'd be a decent first step. Might be able to do a band-aid fix with rubber cement while you're hunting down a replacement driver. If a replacement is pricey, I'd just save up for a new sub.

If everything looks fine, then I don't know what it could be. Something inside the enclosure got rattled loose and needs a bit of glue (dampening material or wires)? Kid's toy? Dead mouse? 🤔

Nah, the enclosure is a solid casing so nothing's easy to pop off.

Pic attached of my unit. There's the sub sandwiched between the right main speaker and unit/amp. Kicks a heckuva punch but doesn't look like it.

Here's another image, not a very high quality one, apparently. It's the Sony MHC-999DS.

 

[TB]

Looking through the manual for that stereo, it doesn't look like you have a subwoofer output, only the proprietary subwoofer connection. If that's the case, you'll be looking at replacing the amp, too.

The speakers could likely be reused but the ends of the wires would need to be cut off.

Edit: The resistance for the speakers is all over the place! 6 ohms, 16 ohms, 4 ohms and to round it out, 8 ohms.

If it was me, I'd be looking at replacing everything with separate components, not an all-in-one system.

 

[Sum1s2pid]

Ah, OK. I wouldn't want you to break something. Might be best not to do anything too invasive. 😅

I'm at a loss. You may have to follow TB's suggestion, and slowly replace everything, which can be difficult if your budget is tight.

My eye is starting to twitch remembering when I went through something similar. 😤

 

[Speedster911]

Looking through the manual for that stereo, it doesn't look like you have a subwoofer output, only the proprietary subwoofer connection. If that's the case, you'll be looking at replacing the amp, too.

The speakers could likely be reused but the ends of the wires would need to be cut off.

Edit: The resistance for the speakers is all over the place! 6 ohms, 16 ohms, 4 ohms and to round it out, 8 ohms.

If it was me, I'd be looking at replacing everything with separate components, not an all-in-one system.

Right, no budget at the moment, honestly if I can get the subwoofer to work again like it used to, I'd be VERY happy. Never felt a reason to replace this system. Packs a serious punch, given how old and economically priced it was at the time.

The sub looks like a solid enclosure. I'm wondering how even the most experienced speaker/audio technician might pry that thing open and then put it back together like it was new.

Wouldn't it be more practical and viable to just find a replacement?

 

[TB]

Wouldn't it be more practical and viable to just find a replacement?

Of course, if you can.

But a 20 year old, passive sub with proprietary terminals are probably not readily available. I hope for your sake they are, but I doubt it. And even if it is, it will be subject to the same ravages of time as your current sub.