How long should a sub last?

jemrey81

Hey all, I have a Boston sub (PV700). In the last few weeks or so I have noticed that sometimes it is a lot louder than others.... no changes in settings, location, wires, power supply, etc... I bought this sub from Magnolia a little less than 5 years ago, it was an "demo unit" so I got it real cheap. I have always been nice to it and keep the volume at 11 o'clock on the dial. I bought my receiver about 1 year ago, it's a lower end Pioneer.... just for reference. Could the receiver be the issue?

So, my questions start with: how long do subs usually last? I am pretty sure that it would be the built in amp that is having issues, but not 100% sure. I have always been pleased with this sub for ht and music, what would you recommend as a replacement if it is indeed going bad? I don't know the dimensions of my room, but it is an awful shape (opens up to the entry, kitchen dining room, other room, and hallway to rest of house, and vaulted ceilings)... but like I said, I was pleased with the boston sub.

What are your thoughts??

curved

There are a lot of variables....depends on quality of the sub, how often you use it, how hard you push it, etc.

Can you be a little more specific? Do you hear any distortion? Is it with the same exact song or movie that it gets louder or quieter?

mantis

Ahh the PV700. I like Boston Acoustic's. That brings back so many memories.

To answer your question , subs can last a lifetime of a short time depending on how they are taken care of. If you blast it all the time the driver will wear out as would anything.

I find you problem weird. If you have a Boston repair shop nearby or better call Boston and see what you should do to get it checked out.

If you replace it , look into Martin Logan Grotto and the Definitive Technology Supercube III and II. These subs will outperform the PV700 and cost not much more then retail to retail.

cnh

Grottos are a tad expensive compared to the original Price of a PV700. I own two Boston Subs a bit newer than that one. The Def Tech III (or the cheaper of the 2 Def Techs whichever it is runs about 699 the Boston was in the 500s MSRP).

Your problem does sound like a strange one. Maybe a lose connection (RCA)??

cnh

jemrey81

Thanks for the input guys! I should start off by letting you know that I have never pushed the sub hard, volume has never been up past half way and the connections are all good. I did however mess with everything the other night, changed a lot of settings from the receiver (made the fronts "large" set at 100 instead of small and 80, and changed the sub to plus instead of regular). I always used the sub's XO and it has always been set to 100-120 since my fronts are T15's. The issue was that the volume of the output would vary over time (slowly get softer, sometimes it would turn on and be soft), whether it was music or movies I could tell that it wasn't always the same (I am pretty picky btw). Anyways, I did all of that and turned up the volume on the sub (to half way) and it sounds good again but I can still hear some sounds that aren't 100%... it's hard to pinpoint it. I actually ordered one of the PSW505's the other night when all of the issues were irritating me (before I messed with all the settings). Sadly, it sounds pretty good right now and it is making me question whether it is the sub or something else (could just have been a bad case of the upgrade bug... comes on like a flu sometimes). On the bright side, I have a new sub on it's way and that puts a smile on my face.... and I can easily sell the boston to make back a little. Oh, and I bought the boston for $250 as an open demo unit from Magnolia, so spending $600 for another sub isn't wife approved I have a couple of people that are interested in buying it for $125, so we'll see. This sub has been awesome for the money I paid and the time that I have had it, and it will easily outperform any other sub that can be bought for $125 even when I was thinking it was softer than normal.

BTW, if I knew 100% that this thing has an issue and is infact going bad, I wouldn't sell it. I don't have any intention to scam somebody, I will be totally open with anyone that comes over for a demo before purchase.

I contacted boston and they said to take it to a repair shop and have it inspected, I then decided that the newegg deal for the PSW505 was a better option.

The RCA is an MIT that once it is on, you can turn the head an little and it tightens down on the the input so I don't thing that is it. I was kind of leaning towards the power cable... the sub was pushed up against the wall and the power cord was at a pretty harsh bend where it connects on the back of the sub, maybe it could have an effect if the connection wasn't 100%?

Once again, Thanks!

jemrey81

Well, a guy came over and checked out the sub... he liked it. I told him the issues that I was experiencing and he didn't care. He is really into his audio equipment and loves to do repairs on old stuff, so he isn't concerned if he has to take it apart and check stuff out. When I was disconnecting it, I turned it over and I heard something roll around inside so I looked into the port and...... there was a bouncy ball inside. Not one of those quarter machine small bouncy balls, but one of the ones that are baseball sized. I guess I need to talk to my kids! So, I am pretty sure that a ball of that size might be able to change the sound a little.

Anyways, it is sold and now I wait for the PSW505 to show up..... speaking of which, I need to check the UPS tracking and see when it'll arrive.

janmike

All I know is my SVS better last a good many years. Take care of them and they should last a long, long time.