overdriving subs

Airplay355 · February 2003

as most of u know i own 2 rti100s.......i keep the volume on the subs 3/4ths of the way up.......i know thats kinda loud but i like bass.........i heard Dr. Spec say that you could overdrive a sub having it at 1/4 the volume? should i be worried about hurting things? and how would i know if i was hurting my subs while i was listening to music or watchina a movie.....

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

If you were harming it, you could probally hear it. Or you could be like me and just play it till it dies. Other than that, I would see if you can turn off your speakers, and hear the sub alone - and turn it on ur regular volume and set it up then. If you hear distortion, turn it down.

Dr. Spec · February 2003

The best way to prevent overdriving any speaker (but particularly a subwoofer) is to calibrate the entire system with test tones and an SPL meter. It's cheap, it's easy, your system will sound better, and it's damn good insurance.

Once your sub is playing at the same volume as your other speakers, it's pretty hard to overdrive it unless you are playing the overall volume at a very loud level.

Many enthusiasts unknowing have their sub running very hot and then spin a DVD like LOTR-FOTR, The Haunting, Monster's Inc., or Titan AE at high playback and "poof" - the sub blows.

The sounds of a sub in distress are pretty obvious - audible distortion, farting, popping, or a loud clack - damage is imminent at that point.

If your PROPERLY CALIBRATED system can't deliver the overall volume you crave without beating on the sub, then get a bigger or better sub.

Running your sub on the hot side to compensate for its inadequate power or a too large room is a recipe for disaster.

dbournival · February 2003

I have a pair of RT1000i that I had to turn uo to 3/4 to get proper bass (per spl meter), the room they are in is very difficult for bass. I felt that I may be driving them too hard (HD) so I recently bought a PSW404 to handle the low end.

Dr. Spec · February 2003

Originally posted by ATCVenom
As important as calibration may be, I feel its truelly only necessary for those with a large listening area or unequal proportions. As for a room my size, or anything below a 15x15 area...... if you depend on calibration for tonal accuracy and system maintaince, a hearing aid may also do wonders.,

I think you're in the minority here, ATC. The prevalent use of SPL meters and calibration DVDs like Video Essentials and AVIA speak for themselves.

Getting all the speakers to play the same volume is essential in a HT set-up for realistic and seamless panning between all the speakers. For the sub, it's critical - almost everyone calibrates the sub hot by ear alone.

I don't think there's a person in this forum who didn't report an audible benefit from proper system calibration, and I suspect it's probably also saved a few subs from blowing too.

Calibrating your HT system will allow it to play to its best potential. It won't pull blood from a turnip, though.

As for that disappointing system you just heard, do you honestly think it sounded bad AS A RESULT OF proper calibration? Or do you think it just sounds crappy because you didn't like the speaks?

MJD · February 2003

Originally posted by dbournival
I have a pair of RT1000i that I had to turn uo to 3/4 to get proper bass (per spl meter), the room they are in is very difficult for bass. I felt that I may be driving them too hard (HD) so I recently bought a PSW404 to handle the low end.

What room size do you have and what do you keep the volume set at on the subwoofer??

Thanks

Airplay355 · February 2003

the bass on my reciever is at the lowest, i have the equalizer off and the DSP off, i find that the bass distorts quicker if i turn up the bass on my reciever then if i turn it up on my subs......an i still in danger of blowing them? have never noticed any of the signs of damaging a sub just smooth bass.....and half way is good but not enough any other suggestions?

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

Buy another sub

Airplay355 · February 2003

hold on let me get my checkbook....oh wait i have no money hmmmmmmmmm.....nething else? lol

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

Take a funnel like thing.....and put it around your subs.....it'll exstend the sound....

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

RCA makes a 12 inch sub for like....200?

kberg · February 2003

Originally posted by Dr. Spec

Getting all the speakers to play the same volume is essential in a HT set-up for realistic and seamless panning between all the speakers. For the sub, it's critical - almost everyone calibrates the sub hot by ear alone.

Couldn't agree more!

Originally posted by Dr. Spec

I don't think there's a person in this forum who didn't report an audible benefit from proper system calibration, and I suspect it's probably also saved a few subs from blowing too.

Ditto above response. I never thought I would notice the degree of difference (pre- [by ear] and post-calibration) as much as I did. And by calibrating my sub just a *few* dB hotter than the rest of my speaks, it REALLY enhanced the overall sound without worry of overtaxing the sub at much higher volumes.

Tour2ma · February 2003

Originally posted by MxStYlEpOlKmAn
....it'll exstend the sound....

Check your dentures there Sid, may be a little loose...

Airplay,

Actually Sid's "add another" is a valid option. It's possible to do so "on the cheap". Many Clubbers have built their own powered subs for ~$300. Search will produce multiple hits on this to give you an idea of the effort, and I'm sure the sub craftsmen here will be more than happy to assist you in your effort.

Other than that... only no-cost thing you can do is play with the positioning of your speakers. In-corners and on the floor tend to reinforce bass output. May compromise your listening from soundstage and other aspects. This is the reason I used "no-cost" in lieu of "free" above, but I don't sense this is as big a concern for you as getting more boom. You can do this by ear, but I agree with others above, a good test DVD and an SPL meter is the better, as in more precise, way to go.

You might also liven your room up some. While this does not have much impact on true bass (<120Hz), I get a feeling from you that were talking mid-bass here as well. Possible help could include getting the speakers off of the carpet by pulling it up, or buying a couple ceramic tiles at Garden Ridge or HD and setting your speakers on these.

All the above I wrote MAY be good, but then I reread this:

Originally posted by Airplay355
the bass on my reciever is at the lowest, i have the equalizer off and the DSP off, i find that the bass distorts quicker if i turn up the bass on my reciever then if i turn it up on my subs......an i still in danger of blowing them? have never noticed any of the signs of damaging a sub just smooth bass.....and half way is good but not enough any other suggestions?

Something in this, bugged me the first time I read it, but I blew through it. After the reread I looked at your post history (its a curious one) to try to figure out what was going on here. I probably still dont know, but that never stops me

You were recently posting about: the value of adding a sub, breaking your desk, your dead receiver (did they fix the Aiwa?); an old sub that sounded bad at ¼ and . Anyway, here are my thoughts:
1. youre a bass super-freak;
2. youve already damaged one of more of your drivers; probably one of the RTs mid-woofers, not the sub (same driver);
3. youre setting your receiver tone controls to compensate for the bad driver(s) as best you can; and
4. the bad driver took out your receiver before will do it again.

Airplay if I were you Id get a troubleshooting guide from Polk, ASAP. Check out your Rts and the rest of your rig as well. And take any suspicious speakers back to the dealer. You are in warranty I assume After you do this, then try the other stuff for the room livening, but I think youll need a true subwoofer to satisfy your habit or youll repeat the whole cycle

Let me know if Im onto anything here

Airplay355 · February 2003

the problemn with my reciever had nothing to do with sound or power, it was the power supply that blew......in would switch on but would not stay on...........how have i already blown the drivers on my rts? wouldnt i hear it if i had blown them? the sub that sounds bad is over 15 years old and uses foam in its construction.....i hear nothing wrong with my speakers.......how would i know if i blew a midrangedriver?

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

itd crack and pop like popcorn...

Airplay355 · February 2003

both of them sound perfectly fine, no crackling or popping from the tweeters mid drivers or woofers

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

Did u say that ur M&K had a foam surround?

Airplay355 · February 2003

the MK sub has foam in it....its part of the cone.........told ya it was old lol

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

holy s***....lol! M&K drivers are pretty decent, but for how much the Sub cost -- they could be better. Mine have heavy duty rubber surrounds, but layered coated paper...its annoying

Airplay355 · February 2003

go to the site....its called the volkswoofer and the **** is old dryrotted and cracked.....prolly from when i was usin it but i dont give a crap lol

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

oo i believe ya...
lol buy one of their upper drivers...they only cost 82.50! lol! And put it in there, it rocks.

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

hey...u might be interested in buying a new driver from M&K, and a new amp - make sure the driver has rubber surrounds. That would be a good subwoofer.

Airplay355 · February 2003

i have come up with this list of priorities, first i need to buy speaker wire so i can put my surround speakers where they belong, then its a new reciever prolly one from harmon kardon unless people here say otherwise, then after that im either going to buy nicer surround speakers, buy a nicer center speaker, buy a nicer TV or save for a car

Airplay355 · February 2003

wow thats a good idea....i could just put a new driver in there.........hmmmm sumthin to think about, the amp in it is prolly fine, maybe not tho i dont know we'll find out

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

yeah...it'll only cost u 82.50 or less then!

Airplay355 · February 2003

what bout car audio.............could i put a car woofer in that enclosure? or is there a difference betwen HT woofers and car ones?

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

Go out, and buy a 12 inch JL Audio Car Audio subwoofer....U want loudness...It'll give you and your neighbors loud.

Tour2ma · February 2003

Airplay,

I started another response, but canned it. Instead let me ask you one question...

Have you always had to turn the bass control on your receiver all the way down to avoid hearing distortion?

If yes, then look back at the tips I offered you on positioning your speakers and treating your room, and save your money for a real sub-woofer.

If no, then ask Polk customer service for the troubleshooting manual, because at least one of your drivers has a problem.

Either way I'm done here... Good Luck...

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

I think the conclusion comes to - buy a seperate sub. or repair your blown M&K....IMO - that would be the best and cheapest move for a pretty good sub.

Airplay355 · February 2003

the answer is yes

Airplay355 · February 2003

my reciever is an aiwa avd57 adn the thd is .9 so its not the best thing out there

overdriving subs

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