The voice coil is one of the most important components of a subwoofer. When you have a problem with your subwoofer, in many cases, it’s because of tissue with the voice coil.
Today, you will learn about common issues with the subwoofer voice coil. Also, know about their causes and solutions.
What is the voice coil on a subwoofer?
The voice coil on a subwoofer is responsible for converting the electrical energy from the amplifier into mechanical energy that moves the cone of the speaker and produces the low-pitched bass sounds we associate with subwoofers. It is an essential component of a subwoofer, as without it the subwoofer would be unable to produce sound.
A subwoofer’s voice coil consists of a coil of wire (the “voice coil”) that is wrapped around a cylinder (the “former”). The voice coil is connected to the subwoofer’s cone, and when electricity is applied to the voice coil, it creates a magnetic field.
This magnetic field interacts with the subwoofer’s magnet, causing the subwoofer’s cone to move. The movement of the subwoofer’s cone produces sound waves, which are then amplified by the subwoofer’s enclosure and its built-in subwoofer drivers.
What are some common subwoofer voice coil issues and solutions?
You might want to know about common problems that you may have to face because of the sub’s voice coil. Let’s take a look at the common problems of the subwoofer voice coil.
1. Subwoofer voice coil overheating
One of the most common subwoofer voice coil issues is subwoofer coil overheating. This can be caused by a number of factors, including playing the subwoofer at high volumes for extended periods of time, or by using an amplifier that is not powerful enough to properly drive the subwoofer.
Overheating can damage the subwoofer voice coil, and it can also cause the subwoofer to sound distorted.
Solutions
To fix this issue, you will need to make sure that the subwoofer is properly cooled, and you may also need to replace the subwoofer’s amplifier if it is not powerful enough to drive the subwoofer.
2. Blown subwoofer voice coil
Another common problem with the subwoofer voice coil is that it gets blown. When the subwoofer is used for long periods of time or played at high volumes, the voice coil can overheat and become damaged. This will result in distorted sound or no sound at all from your subwoofer.
Solutions
In order to fix a blown subwoofer voice coil, you will need to replace the subwoofer’s voice coil.
This can be a costly repair, so it is important to always use a subwoofer responsibly and avoid playing loud music for long periods of time.
If you think your subwoofer’s voice coil has blown, take it to a professional for diagnosis and repair.
3. Bad subwoofer voice coil connection
Another common issue is a subwoofer voice coil connection that has become loose or damaged. This can result in subwoofer sounds that are distorted or the subwoofer constantly turning on and off.
Solutions
To address this issue, you may need to tighten or replace the subwoofer voice coil connection. If you are not sure how to do this, take your subwoofer to a professional for service.
4. Subwoofer voice coil shorting
This is one of the most common voice coil problems. It can occur due to a number of different causes, including damage from heat or humidity, subwoofer abrasions, or subwoofer damage from moisture.
Solutions
If you are experiencing this issue with your subwoofer, one possible solution is to replace the subwoofer’s voice coil. You may also try cleaning the subwoofer’s voice coil or checking for subwoofer shorts in the subwoofer circuit board.
5. Too thin voice coil wire
Another problem is that the wire used to create the coil is too thin.
This can cause problems with the subwoofer’s ability to produce sound effects.
The subwoofer may make a humming or buzzing noise, or it may produce a low-quality sound that lacks bass.
Solutions
To fix a subwoofer voice coil, you will need to replace the damaged parts. You can purchase replacement subwoofer voice coils online, or you can take your subwoofer to a professional for repair.
6. The voice coil rubs against the subwoofer’s magnet
If you notice that your subwoofer’s cone is not moving as freely as it should, it is likely that the voice coil is rubbing against the subwoofer’s magnet.
This can happen if the subwoofer is turned on and off frequently, or if it is played at high volumes for extended periods of time.
The rubbing can cause the subwoofer to sound distorted, and it can eventually damage the voice coil.
Solutions
To fix this issue, you will need to have the subwoofer serviced by a professional.
7. The voice coil falls off the subwoofer’s former
Another voice coil issue that you may encounter is when the subwoofer voice coil falls off of the subwoofer’s former.
This is typically caused by a subwoofer that has been overheated, as this causes the glue that holds the subwoofer’s voice coil to the former to break down.
Solutions
If you find that the subwoofer voice coil has fallen off of the former, you will need to re-glue the subwoofer voice coil to the subwoofer’s former.
You can do this by placing a small amount of subwoofer voice coil glue on the subwoofer voice coil and then gently pressing it back into place on the subwoofer’s former.
8. The voice coil becomes detached from the cone
If the subwoofer voice coil becomes detached from the subwoofer’s cone, it can be a big problem. This may result in poor sound quality or no sound at all.
Solutions
In order to fix this issue, you will need to reattach the subwoofer voice coil to the subwoofer cone.
You may be able to do this yourself, or you may need to take your subwoofer to a professional for service.
9. Voice coil problem from moisture and dust
One common issue with subwoofers and subwoofer voice coils is that they can become damaged over time, especially if they are not properly maintained.
This can occur due to exposure to moisture and dust, as well as through regular use.
If you notice that your subwoofer is not performing as well as it used to, or if you notice any strange noises coming from the subwoofer, it may be a sign that your subwoofer voice coil is damaged or defective.
Solutions
At this point, you will need to disassemble the subwoofer to inspect the voice coil.
If you see any visible damage to the subwoofer voice coil, such as cracks or splits in the coil, then it is likely that you will need to replace the subwoofer or the subwoofer voice coil itself.
However, if the damage is not too severe, you may be able to repair the subwoofer voice coil by soldering the damaged areas.
10. Voice coil not being suspended in the magnetic field properly
Another problem is that the coil is not suspended in the magnetic field properly. This can cause the subwoofer to produce a sound that is distorted or unclear.
Solutions
To fix this problem, you will need to adjust the subwoofer’s magnet. This is a complex process, and it is best to take your subwoofer to a professional for repair.
11. Poorly made voice coil former
Subwoofer voice coil issues can also be caused by a poorly made voice coil former. The subwoofer may produce a sound that is too soft or lacks bass entirely.
Solutions
To fix this problem, you will need to replace the subwoofer’s voice coil former. This is a fairly simple process, and many subwoofers come with replacement voice coil formers.
12. Damaged speaker cone
In some cases, subs voice coil problems can be caused by damage to the speaker cone. If the subwoofer is used at high volumes for long periods of time, the speaker cone may become worn or damaged.
Solutions
To fix this problem, you should replace the subwoofer’s damaged speaker cone. This may require disassembling the subwoofer, so it is best to take your subwoofer to a professional for repair.
13. Damaged subwoofer voice coil
Another issue is subwoofer voice coil damage. This can be caused by subwoofer voice coils that are not connected properly, subwoofers that are played at high volumes for long periods of time, subwoofers that are not properly ventilated, or subwoofers that are hit or knocked during use.
If your subwoofer voice coil is damaged, you may notice that the subwoofer’s voice coil is no longer moving properly.
Solutions
In some cases, subwoofer voice coil damage can be repaired by a qualified subwoofer technician. But, in most cases, it needs to be replaced.
Can you fix the voice coil subwoofer?
Subwoofer voice coil problems can be fixed by cleaning the subwoofer, while in others you may need to replace the subwoofer voice coil itself. However, if the problem is severe, you may need to get a new subwoofer.
How to test if the subwoofer voice coil is bad?
There are a few ways to test if the subwoofer voice coil is bad.
Step 1. Check for physical damage.
First, check for any visible damage to the subwoofer itself, as this can be an indication of a problem with the voice coil.
Then, to test if the subwoofer voice coil is bad, you can simply look for any signs of damage, such as burns, cracks, or tears in the speaker cone.
Step 2. Test for sound distortion
Next, try playing some music through the subwoofer and see if there is any distortion in the sound. If you hear any distortion, this is a good indication that the voice coil is damaged.
You can also use a subwoofer speaker tester or an audio signal generator. This will allow you to play sounds through the subwoofer and listen for any unusual noises or distortions.
Step 3. Measure the resistance of the voice coil.
To test if the subwoofer voice coil is bad, you can measure the resistance of the voice coil. To do this, you will need a voltmeter or multimeter.
If the subwoofer voice coil is damaged, it will usually have high resistance. However, keep in mind that subwoofers can have different resistance values depending on the manufacturer.
If you are not sure how to measure the resistance of the subwoofer voice coil, it is best to take your subwoofer to a professional for repair.
You should also be careful not to damage the subwoofer while testing. Moreover, you have to be careful about getting yourself hurt as you have to deal with electricity.
Step 4. Clean the subwoofer.
If the subwoofer is not damaged and there is no sound distortion, the problem may be that the subwoofer is dirty. Dirt and dust can build up on the subwoofer over time and cause problems.
To clean the subwoofer, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. Vacuum the subwoofer carefully to remove all the dirt and dust.
Step 5. Replace the subwoofer voice coil.
In some cases, the subwoofer voice coil may be damaged and need to be replaced. However, if the problem is severe, you may need to get a new subwoofer.
Subwoofer voice coil issues can be fixed by cleaning the subwoofer, while in others you may need to replace the subwoofer voice coil itself.
However, if the problem is severe, you may need to get a new subwoofer.
If you are not sure how to replace the subwoofer voice coil, it is best to take your subwoofer to a professional for repair.
How to fix the subwoofer voice coil?
If you find that your subwoofer’s voice coil is damaged, there are a few things you can try to repair it.
However, before you try to fix the sub’s voice coil yourself, I must recommend that, stay away from doing it yourself if you don’t know about fixing electrical devices as it can be risky for you.
1. Testing the subwoofer
If you suspect that your subwoofer’s voice coil is damaged, first of all, you have to do some tests to check if the issue is with voice coils, other parts, or the subwoofer.
2. Troubleshooting the damaged wire
You have to check the subwoofer’s wiring, as a damaged wire can cause damage to the voice coil.
If the wiring looks fine, you can try replacing the subwoofer’s voice coil.
This is a relatively easy process, and you can find replacement voice coils at most electronics stores.
If you are not comfortable replacing the voice coil yourself, you can take the subwoofer to a professional repair shop for assistance.
3. Repairing the subwoofer’s damaged components
Another option is to repair the subwoofer voice coil problems by replacing the subwoofer’s damaged components.
This can include repairing or replacing the subwoofer’s wiring, or replacing the subwoofer’s voice coil.
If you are not comfortable performing these repairs yourself, you can take your subwoofer to a professional repair shop for assistance.
4. Cleaning the subwoofer with a brush or compressed air
In some cases, subwoofer voice coil problems can be caused by a buildup of dust or dirt on the subwoofer.
If this is the case, you can try cleaning the subwoofer with compressed air or a brush.
If the subwoofer is still not working properly after being cleaned, you may need to replace the subwoofer or the subwoofer voice coil.
Whether your subwoofer is experiencing voice coil problems or some other issue, it is important to get the problem diagnosed and fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
If you are unsure of how to fix the problem, you can always take your subwoofer to a professional for repair.
5. Replacing damaged speaker cone
Another option is to replace the damaged speaker cone, if necessary. This may be a good option if the subwoofer is still functioning, but the damaged speaker cone is causing voice coil problems or other issues.
6. Replacing subwoofer voice coil
If neither of these options mentioned above is viable, you may need to repair the subwoofer voice coil itself.
This can be done by soldering the damaged wires back together, or by replacing the entire voice coil.
However, this should only be done by someone with experience in subwoofer repair. Improper repairs can cause further damage to the subwoofer and may void the warranty.
If your subwoofer is still under warranty, you may be able to get it replaced for free.
However, if the subwoofer is out of warranty, you will need to pay for the replacement subwoofer or subwoofer voice coil.
7. Replacing subwoofer
If it’s not possible to repair the damaged subwoofer or replace the voice coil, you will need to replace the subwoofer.
This is usually the best option if the subwoofer is old or damaged beyond repair.
What is a dual voice coil subwoofer?
A dual voice coil subwoofer (or “DVC sub”) is a subwoofer that has two voice coils instead of one. Each voice coil is responsible for moving a subwoofer’s cone in and out, so together they can produce louder and more powerful subwoofer sounds.
Dual voice coil subwoofers are usually more expensive than single voice coil subwoofers, but they offer a number of advantages.
For one, they can be wired in different ways to produce different subwoofer sounds. For example, you can wire a dual voice coil subwoofer to produce more bass, or you can wire it to produce less bass.
You can also wire a dual voice coil subwoofer so that each voice coil is responsible for moving a different subwoofer cone. This can produce even louder and more powerful subwoofer sounds.
How to wire a dual voice coil subwoofer?
There are a number of different ways to wire a dual voice coil subwoofer, depending on your subwoofer and its configuration. Some subwoofer wiring configurations require specialized subwoofer amplifiers, so it is important to consult your subwoofer’s user manual or contact the manufacturer for guidance on subwoofer wiring.
Some common subwoofer wiring configurations include:
Parallel subwoofer wiring
In this configuration, each subwoofer voice coil is connected to the same positive and negative terminals on the subwoofer amplifier.
This subwoofer wiring configuration produces the loudest subwoofer sounds.
Series subwoofer wiring
In this wiring, each subwoofer voice coil is connected to the next subwoofer voice coil, with both subwoofers sharing the same positive and negative terminals on the subwoofer amplifier.
This subwoofer wiring configuration produces subwoofer sounds that are not as loud as parallel subwoofer wiring, but it is more efficient and subwoofer amplifiers can often produce more subwoofer power with this configuration.
Bridged subwoofer wiring
In this configuration, one subwoofer voice coil is connected to the subwoofer amplifier’s positive terminal, while the other subwoofer voice coil is connected to the subwoofer amplifier’s negative terminal.
This subwoofer wiring configuration produces subwoofer sounds that are more powerful than those of parallel subwoofer wiring, but not as loud as series subwoofer wiring.
If you are new to subwoofer wiring, it is a good idea to consult your subwoofer’s user manual or contact the manufacturer for guidance on subwoofer wiring.
Doing so will help ensure that your subwoofers are properly connected and optimized to produce the most subwoofer power possible.
Moreover, dealing with electricity can be harmful to your health if you didn’t handle any of these techniques before. So, it’s better to stay away!
Conclusion
A subwoofer voice coil is a critical part of any subwoofer system, as it helps produce the low-pitched audio frequencies known as bass.
While subwoofer voice coil problems are relatively uncommon, there are a few common issues that can arise, including blown voice coils, shorts in the voice coil, and other issues that can damage the subwoofer.
If you think your subwoofer’s voice coil is damaged, you can troubleshoot the issue on your own.
However, it is best to take it to a subwoofer specialist for diagnosis and repair.
I am Pallab Kishore, owner of Sound Gears Realm. I like to try different sound gears and home theatre systems. I like to share with you my experience with these devices, especially subwoofers so that you can get help to solve any problem.