Why is My Subwoofer Popping, Buzzing & Making Noise?

A subwoofer is a speaker specially designed to enhance the lower frequencies of a sound system. It is prepared to handle frequencies between 20hz and 80hz, which, unlike medium and high frequencies, can generate certain vibration levels and are more complex to process.

Due to this, its elements and operation are specifically designed to process these frequencies safely. However, there can often be problems when reproducing the sound, such as popping, humming, buzzing, or other unwanted noises.

These drawbacks have an origin and a possible solution in most cases. The better you know how your devices work, the easier it will be for you to solve any problems related to them. In this article, we will review some of those problems that can arise when using your subwoofers and how to solve them.

Why is My Subwoofer Popping, Humming, Buzzing, Rattling & Making Noise?

The reasons why a subwoofer may be popping, humming, rattling, or buzzing can be due to a contaminated or poor audio signal, a bad connection of cables, an incorrect setup, problems in the power supply, or even some failure in the structure of the speaker.

The first thing you should do is try to identify the problem. Check that the connections are correct and that the cables are in good condition. Avoid locating the subwoofer near other power sources, which can cause interference or buzzing. When cables are poor quality, they are more prone to picking up external signals that can generate noise. Using cables according to the needs of your device can sometimes be a possible solution.

Making sure there is no burning smell coming from inside the subwoofer is a good idea to rule out any internal failure or short circuit. Check that there is no other device nearby that may be generating interference that is being picked up by the cables.

If you have another subwoofer handy, try connecting it to determine if the problem originates from the receiver and not the subwoofer. Many subwoofer models include a power mode switch with which you can choose between “always-on” and “auto-on.” Sometimes having the subwoofer running for long periods can cause overheating leading to some popping, so moving the switch to “auto on” may be a solution.

Another thing to keep in mind is the volume level at which you use your subwoofer. Prolonged periods of high volume levels will cause the device to deteriorate more quickly in the long term. Although subwoofer speakers are made to withstand high sound pressure levels, using them at a reasonable volume will benefit the device in the long run.

If any speaker component suffers some damage due to the vibrations that the low frequencies generate, this can also generate popping and rattling. If so, it is convenient only to continue using it once it is repaired, not to aggravate the problem. Lastly, the setting and equalization chosen from the receiver or the player must follow what your device can offer. Excessively high values in the equalization signal can also generate distortion or unwanted sounds.

What Are The Signs of a Broken Subwoofer?

The first indication to detect a broken subwoofer is that it turns on but does not emit any sound. Other clues are that it emits sound at a low and distorted volume, a burning smell, turns off on its own after a certain period, and constantly pops because some part of the speaker is damaged.

If the subwoofer does not emit any sound, it may be because some of the elements of its electrical circuit have burned. To reach this conclusion, you must first ensure that the sound source and the cables transmit the signal correctly. If, indeed, the subwoofer is burned, it means that some part of your external power supply needs to be replaced. In that case, if you do not have the necessary knowledge, you should take it to be checked by a specialist to determine the damage level.

Another inconvenience that can arise from a power supply failure is the subwoofer suddenly turning off and running repeatedly. This type of behavior usually indicates that some of the fuses in the source may be bad and need to be replaced.

If the subwoofer emits a sound level well below its capacity, and even with a certain level of distortion, this indicates that the damage is in one of the parts of the speaker. The cone, the spider, and the voice coil can suffer damage that will cause the speaker to sound inappropriate. The cone can become detached due to being hit or used at excessively high sound levels. The same can happen with the spider that is just behind the cone.

If when you touch the speaker with your hand, you can notice that it is loose, which means that the cone has detached, so it cannot emit sound correctly. In this case, it is necessary to stop using the subwoofer not to worsen its condition or even damage other components. The voice coil can often burn out if you use an incorrect or higher gain setting than the one supported by the speaker. One way to check this is by using a multimeter and measuring the Ohms that the negative and positive terminals of the speaker throw, confirming that they are the ones indicated. This procedure must be done with the subwoofer turned off.

Why do We Use Subwoofers?

We use subwoofers because of their ability to add depth and context to the sounds we hear through an audio device. The low frequencies that you hear generate sensations in your brain that are not possible to imitate through the medium and high frequencies.

Although regular speakers can reproduce low frequencies, most have a severe limit when compared to a subwoofer. This is because both its speaker’s construction and box’s dimensions are designed to obtain maximum performance and definition in terms of low frequencies without distorting the sound.

This makes it possible for more defined climates to be generated through the sound of a subwoofer, which significantly improves the experience when listening to a song or watching a movie. In other words, the vibration that a low frequency can generate in our brain helps the sound gain a higher level of detail and presence; therefore, we perceive it as more real.

Although the low frequencies are not the ones that usually have the leading role, they can give support and context to the medium and high frequencies. This is why subwoofers play a very important role when it comes to reproducing sounds, and it is normal to find them in most audio systems. For example, the sound of an electric bass, thunder, an explosion, or a string section, is closer and more real when heard through a subwoofer.

How Long Should a Subwoofer Last?

Under normal use conditions, a subwoofer can last between eight and twelve years. However, factors such as the number of hours a day, the intensity of the subwoofer’s volume, and the environmental conditions where the device is located directly influence its performance and durability.

While a subwoofer is a device that, on average, has a reasonably long life, it can change if used too frequently. The greater the use, the greater the wear of the components that make it up, both in its electrical circuits and in its speaker.

A subwoofer that is used for only a few hours and discontinuously will last longer than one that is used many hours a day. This is because prolonged use causes electrical components to work at higher temperature levels, which leads to greater wear. The same happens with the speaker since each one of its parts has to withstand the vibration generated by the low frequencies, continuously testing its resistance.

The volume level used can also directly influence the durability of the device. A higher level of gain generates more voltage that will be reflected in temperature, and a higher level of vibrations, which will make the subwoofer work with a greater load. If this is added to the fact that the device is used for many hours a day or even all day long, the long-term wear and tear will be very high.

It is important that the environment where the subwoofer is placed has average humidity and temperature levels so that none of its components are affected by condensation or high temperatures. Proximity to other power sources must also be avoided for correct operation and to avoid picking up signal interference. By following these instructions, the useful life of your subwoofer will not be limited by the environment.

Finally, the sound quality of the files you play on your subwoofer must be high to ensure that the speaker works correctly. Low-quality files will require a higher volume to be heard. On the other hand, files that contain clipping will cause the speaker to play inappropriate sounds for its structure. You should also keep in mind that the manufacturer brand you choose will determine the quality and durability of the product.

What Are The Differences Between a Passive And an Active Subwoofer?

The main difference between these two types of subwoofers is that the active one has a built-in amplification, unlike the passive subwoofer, which requires external amplification. This makes active subwoofers a more versatile option and, at the same time, a more expensive option.

It is more usual to find passive subwoofers in home theaters since they have a main device in charge of regulating the power and parameters of all the speakers that make up the audio system. On the other hand, active subwoofers are usually connected to A/V receivers and various types of amplifiers. In this table we will review some of the differences between each other.

Subwoofer	Passive	Active
Compatibility	It is designed to work in conjunction with the amplifier, which is responsible for sending the audio signal. It depends on a specific external source.	It can be used with different amplification sources and various types of devices, regardless of the power with which the audio signal arrives.
Adjustable Parameters	It does not have adjustment options. The values can only be modified from the audio signal’s device.	It has knobs that allow you to regulate parameters such as volume, crossover, phase, and bass extension, among others, as well as different output options.
Connectivity	It connects to devices through cables.	Depending on the model, it connects to the devices through cables or a wireless Bluetooth connection.
Power Supply	It does not have its own power supply, so it depends exclusively on external devices to function.	It has an integrated power supply, which means that it can reproduce all kinds of signals without needing them to be previously amplified.
Average Cost	$100/350	$300/900

While both types of subwoofer serve the same purpose, as you can see, active subwoofers offer some advantages over passive ones, making them more versatile. Beyond this, active subwoofers are not necessarily better than passive ones since, depending on your needs and your budget, either option may be the one for you.

 

Conclusion

There are many ways in which the sound of a subwoofer can be affected, and for each of them, there is a possible solution. Finding the cause by analyzing the possibilities mentioned here is key so that you can make your device work correctly again.

Investing in quality speakers and choosing leading brands may be somewhat more expensive at first, but in the long run, you will save a lot of money thanks to the durability of the components with which they are built. Whether active or passive, the subwoofer you choose will always last longer if it’s built by a manufacturer that offers quality assurance.

Subwoofers are devices that can add a lot of character to your sound system. The better you take care of them by following the instructions included by the manufacturer, the easier it will be for you to enjoy their benefits for as long as possible. I hope this article is helpful to you. Thanks for your time!