Subwoofer Hum

JCrew
JCrew Posts: 4
edited December 2012 in Troubleshooting
Hi. I'm new to this forum and found it by searching for replacement parts for my subwoofer.
Before I buy any new, and potentially unnecessary, parts I'd like to run my problem by the tech experts here.
I have a PSW202 sub that developed a "hum" whenever the power is on. I tried several wiring changes as well as a new shielded cable from the receiver to the sub. I also disconnected all of the speaker wires to the sub and the hum is still present. Finally, I moved the sub to a few different electrical outlets in the house, no other wires connected, and the hum is still there. If I press down lightly on the subs speaker the hum does diminish almost completely.
I should also mention that I have tried all settings on the back of the sub to no avail.
Any ideas? Do I need a replacement part or a new sub?
Post edited by JCrew on
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Comments

  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited December 2012
    Did it just start doing this or has it done it since it was purchased?
    POLK SDA 2.3 TLS BOUGHT NEW IN 1990, Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-198
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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited December 2012
    Try an orange cheater plug into the outlet.If it isn't better then maybe the Sw is bad.
    Main Rig-Realistic AM/FM Record player 8 track boasting 4 WPC

    Backup Rig-2 CH-Rogue Audio Zeus w/Factory Special Dark Mods,Joule-Electra 300ME Platinum Preamp,OPPO-105 w/Modwright Tube Mod, Auralic Aries G2.1,Polk 2.3TL,3.1TL's,Dreadnought,RTA-15TL's,1C's All Fully Modded,2xRTA-12c's ,Benchmark DAC3 HGC,Synology NAS,VPI Scout w/Dynavector DV-20XH and Rogue Audio Ares Phono Preamp,Sony PCM-R500 DAT,HHB-850 Pro CDR,Tascam CC-222SLMKII Cassette/CDR,MIT S3.3 Shotgun Cables,Shunyata Hyra-8,Shunyata and Triode Labs Power Cords

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  • JCrew
    JCrew Posts: 4
    edited December 2012
    PolkieMan wrote: »
    Did it just start doing this or has it done it since it was purchased?

    The Sw is several years old. It started humming about a month ago and I had to take it out of use.
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  • JCrew
    JCrew Posts: 4
    edited December 2012
    brgman wrote: »
    Try an orange cheater plug into the outlet.If it isn't better then maybe the Sw is bad.

    Not sure what you mean by "orange cheater plug".
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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited December 2012
    the orange adapter you use to go from a 3 prong plug to 2
    if you don't have one you are un-American
    Main Rig-Realistic AM/FM Record player 8 track boasting 4 WPC

    Backup Rig-2 CH-Rogue Audio Zeus w/Factory Special Dark Mods,Joule-Electra 300ME Platinum Preamp,OPPO-105 w/Modwright Tube Mod, Auralic Aries G2.1,Polk 2.3TL,3.1TL's,Dreadnought,RTA-15TL's,1C's All Fully Modded,2xRTA-12c's ,Benchmark DAC3 HGC,Synology NAS,VPI Scout w/Dynavector DV-20XH and Rogue Audio Ares Phono Preamp,Sony PCM-R500 DAT,HHB-850 Pro CDR,Tascam CC-222SLMKII Cassette/CDR,MIT S3.3 Shotgun Cables,Shunyata Hyra-8,Shunyata and Triode Labs Power Cords

    I’M OFFENDED!!!!
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  • goofyGAguy
    goofyGAguy Posts: 545
    edited December 2012
    JCrew wrote: »
    Not sure what you mean by "orange cheater plug".

    3-prong-2-prong-grounding.jpg
    My humble setup...

    ...is no more. :cry:
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  • JCrew
    JCrew Posts: 4
    edited December 2012
    Although I have not tried the cheater plug I did use a heavy duty extension cord that accomplishes the same thing.
    The Sw uses a 2 prong polarized plug. All of my outlets are grounded. The Sw worked fine for 2 years before the hum started.
    Should I try and buy a new driver for the Sub or bite the bullet and just get a new Sw?
    Any other thoughts? Thanks.
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  • gp4jesus
    gp4jesus Posts: 1,987
    edited December 2012
    PSW-202 is powered, right? If the hum is present regardless of settings and connections, or lack there of, it's not the driver. And that "cheater" won't fix hum in a device w/a 2 prong power connection.

    It's "sounds" like a PS issue. Maybe a failing PS cap or, more likely, a diode in bridge rectifier. A local repair tech should have little trouble fixing it for little $.

    Merry Christmas, Tony
    Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga - LCR mids, inside* & out 8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out *soldered LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & “Plugged*” Mids - 981, connected w/MP Premiere ICs Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s *Xschop's handy work
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited December 2012
    Hello JCrew,
    In all likelihood there is a problem with the subwoofer's bass amplifier and it would need to be serviced. It would be best to contact Polk's CS department either by telephone at 1-800-377-7655 or via email at polkcs@polkaudio.com. If you can provide them with a date of purchase it will help them determine the best course of action to solve the problem.
    Regards, Ken
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