Sick Woofer

[theotherseth]

Ok, I have a Altec Lansing surround sound speaker set which came with my horrible dell 8100. I have always been impressed with the sound system and have been enjoying it for 2 years. However in the last week the subwoofer has been cutting out when the volume is increased past about half volume. I checked the fuse and it looks fine, plus i figure if the fuse had gone then i would get no sound from the sub at any point. I can even play it at high volume for a short amount of time sometimes before it cuts out, but no more than a song or two.

I am no computer specialist but would really like a diagnosis as to whether this is a problem w/ my sub, soundcard or computer or what before i take it in.

Also, when it cuts out and i decrease the volume it doesn't come back on immediately, but it does after about a minute of low volume playing. I have a Santa Cruz sound card from Turtle Beach i think.

If the problem is that it is over-heating, which i feel like it could be for some reason, why would that just start happening now? i have been using it for 2 years w/ no problem.

Something else i've just noticed which is wierd but i think relates to heat is that when i place the speaker on its side, or hold it in the air, it will play normally for longer than when its put down normally. however it does cut out, and even wierder is that if i literally touch it or place my hand over the bottom it begins to work again?! i'm really baffled

anyone got ideas? suggestions?

 

[EricB]

your amp clipping or your speaker has a near short in it, which make it hit 0 ohm briefly, in which the amp will cut out at that point

 

[theotherseth]

Any Solutions to those problems???

 

[EricB]

it it is a near short, you will have to replace the woofer

 

[grego]

If you can honestly just touch it after it cuts out and it will start playing again then it sounds like some sort of grouding/wiring problem. I have a light like that in my laundry room...pisses me off like no other...careful where you step or the light goes out!

You seem to be hanging on to these speakers pretty tightly. Unless you sprung out a few hundred dollars to get them with your Dell I bet they would be a lot more easily replaced (cheaper) than you think.

 

[Crysalis]

As a second vote/opinion, I would bet it is a grounding problem. Either electrical interference somewhere in the circuit, or grounding problems in your house's electrical system, or the wiring of your speakers.

So, when you hold the woofer, it works, but when it is left alone, it fades out?

Let me know

 

[EricB]

A near short speaker or one with loose tinsel leads will do that too. you best bet is to take it apart and look at it. get a multimeter and put it on the speaker leads it should read 8 or 4 ohm (actually it should read a little lower than that as dc resistance is lower than speaker impedance). push the speaker in slowly and pull it out slowly. it if hit 0 ohms at anytime you have a near short. they are usually at the end of the voice coil so pushing the amp hard will make it cut (a amp hitting 0 ohms on a speaker is like touching the - and + for an instant, thus most of the time the amp will cut off briefly) off.

 

[Crysalis]

which is what i was getting at... lol@ericB We must be clones or somethin....

odd :amazed:

 

[EricB]

which is what i was getting at... lol@ericB We must be clones or somethin....

odd :amazed:

We love our audio

 

[Crysalis]

audio

dont talk dirty like that