Anyone else hear transistor switching on PSW111?

christo4

I recently bought a PSW111, which I like quite a bit. However, I've been curious about something. When I put my ear to the subwoofer while music is playing, I can hear a very faint noise--not exactly a buzz, but more like a fly that keeps flying into a window. Does anyone else hear this on your subs? I read another thread that led me to think this is a natural by-product of the transistors in this kind of sub. But how do I know there isn't a screw loose or something like that? I went to Best Buy to see if I could hear it on one of their subs, but I couldn't. It may have been because there was too much ambient noise, though, so I don't know. Any thoughts? Thanks.

dudeinaroom

pull your sub out, and see if something is hanging, and hitting the back of the cone as it moves. Just a thought

christo4

Well, I'm usually fearless about such things, but I really don't want to risk messing it up or voiding the warranty. I'd rather find out if anyone else hears what I'm hearing in their subs. Anyone?

christo4

Well, it's been awhile, but I wonder if someone who owns a PSW111 can help me out. Do you hear a faint rattle or buzz when you stick your ear down right next to the driver, while it's playing music? The volume does not have to be very loud to hear what I'm talking about. Also, I'm pretty sure that this isn't a grounded cable/feedback issue. I hear this slight buzz (with my ear up close) whenever the subwoofer is playing music, but not when the source is silent. By the way, I have it hooked up with the speaker terminals (rather than LFE).

If anyone else can just confirm that they hear the same thing, I'll feel much better. I really like this sub, and the buzz does not affect performance--can't hear it more than a foot away. I just want to make sure there isn't some slight malfunction.

christo4

Why is no one responding? Does no one own a PSW111?

bevo

I just went and got as close, as to put my ear on the sub. I heard no buzzing at all. Mine is hooked up through the LFE. Maybe something is loose in yours.

christo4

Thanks bevo. I tried it with the CD player directly into the line in and I still heard the buzzing. I called Polk CS and the guy told me to take out the amplifier and send it to the factory for testing. So, I started unscrewing the back, but with all the screws out, I still can't get it open. Then I tried removing the screws around the woofer with an allen wrench and same thing. I can't figure out how to get into this thing. Is there a trick? I don't want to break or mar anything.

bevo

I would just send the whole thing. I can't believe they told you to take it apart.

christo4

Well, I just spent a couple of hours fiddling with it and got the back off. For the record, you only need to unscrew the 10 big screws and none of the smaller ones. I used a puddy knife to pop the back and amplifier off. With the back off I was able to determine that the noise was, in fact, being generated by the woofer itself and not by the amplifier. So, I think I will send the whole thing in. There must be a loose magnet or something.