Subwoofer rattling is a common problem that can occur at both low and high frequencies.
There are a few causes of the problem and solutions, which we will explore in this article.
What is subwoofer rattling?
Subwoofer rattling is a problem that can occur with any type of speaker, but it is also noticeable with subwoofers. The problem occurs when the subwoofer cone vibrates so much that it hits against the subwoofer cabinet or other objects in the room, causing a rattling noise.
Subwoofer rattling can be caused by a number of different factors, including incorrect placement of the subwoofer, incorrect settings, or even the type of music you are listening to. Luckily, there are a few different ways to fix the problem.
Why does the subwoofer rattle at high frequency?
Let’s find out the causes of your subwoofer rattling at high frequency:
A tear in the cone
A tear in the cone is a hole or slit in the material that makes up the speaker cone. A ripped cone is when the cone has completely come off of the speaker.
These tears or rips can be caused by excessive volume, playing your music too loud, bumping or dropping your subwoofer, a manufacturing defect, and others.
It causes the air to pass through the tear in the cone. This result in the cone vibrating, which produces the rattle noise.
Solutions:
If the tear is small, you can try to repair it with tape or glue. If the tear is bigger or the cone is completely ripped, you will need to replace the cone.
You can purchase replacement cones online or at a local electronics store.
A gap in the cone
A gap in the cone is a space or opening between the edge of the cone and the frame. The gap allows air to pass through, which can cause the cone to flex and produce a rattling sound.
There are several reasons why a gap in the cone might occur. It may be due to the subwoofer not being assembled correctly, the subwoofer being damaged during shipping, defective cone material, or the frame not being tight enough.
Solutions:
There are several ways to fix a gap in the cone:
1. Use a silicone sealant to fill the gap.
2. Use a piece of tape to cover the gap.
3. Replace the cone.
Damaged surrounds
The surround is the part of the subwoofer that attaches the cone to the frame. It allows the cone to move freely and produce sound.
If the surround is damaged, it can cause the cone to rattle. But, how?
If the surround is damaged, it can cause the cone to rub against the frame. This can create a rattle at a high frequency.
The other problem with a damaged surround is that it can cause the cone to move erratically. This can also create a rattle at a high frequency.
The damage can be caused by physical damage, such as a tear or hole, or by deterioration due to age or exposure to sunlight and other elements.
Solutions:
If the surround is damaged, you will need to replace it. This is not a difficult task, but it will require some disassembly of the subwoofer.
If the subwoofer is old and the surround has deteriorated, you may be able to find a replacement surround online or at a specialty audio store.
If the sub is damaged beyond repair, you may need to replace the entire sub.
Defective spider
A spider is a suspension that holds the speaker cone in place and allows it to move back and forth.
The defective spider can cause the subwoofer to rattle at high frequency due to the cone not being held in place properly or because the spider itself is broken.
This can lead to decreased sound quality and potentially damage the subwoofer.
Solution:
Replace the spider with a new one.
Coil stick in the voice gap
The voice coil is the part of the subwoofer that produces sound. It’s a coil of wire that’s wrapped around a metal former, and it’s located in the center of the sub’s magnet.
The voice coil is connected to the sub’s cone, which moves back and forth to create sound waves.
If the voice coil becomes loose, it can move around inside the magnet structure and cause the subwoofer to rattle.
This is usually caused by the adhesive that holds the voice coil in place breaking down over time.
Solutions:
If your subwoofer’s voice coil is rattling, you’ll need to open up the subwoofer and re-glue the voice coil in place. We recommend taking your subwoofer to a qualified speaker repair shop for this job.
Unstable magnet
An unstable magnet is a magnet that’s not held securely in place. This can cause the subwoofer to rattle at a high frequency because the magnet is vibrating.
Solutions:
You’ll need to take the subwoofer to a professional to have the magnet replaced.
Overpowered Subwoofer
If your subwoofer is getting too much power from your amplifier, it will start to rattle. The extra power will cause the cone to move too much, causing it to hit the end of its travel and bounce back.
The most common cause of an overpowered subwoofer is an amplifier that is too powerful for the subwoofer. If you have a powerful amplifier and a weak subwoofer, the amplifier will try to push more power to the subwoofer than it can handle.
This will cause the cone to move too much and eventually rattle.
Another cause of an overpowered subwoofer is a shortage in the electrical system.
If there is a short somewhere in the electrical system, it will cause the amplifier to push more power to the subwoofer than it is supposed to.
This will also cause the cone to move too much and eventually rattle.
Solutions:
If you have an overpowered subwoofer, you will need to either reduce the power of the amplifier or replace the subwoofer with a more powerful one.
You can also turn down the volume on your amplifier. If that doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to get a new subwoofer.
Underpowered Subwoofer
An underpowered subwoofer is a subwoofer that doesn’t have enough power to produce the sound it’s trying to make. This can cause the subwoofer to rattle as it struggles to produce the sound.
There are a few different causes of an underpowered subwoofer such as the subwoofer being too small for the space it’s in, not getting enough power from the amplifier, not getting enough power from the mains supply, not properly matched to the speakers it’s paired with, or not properly calibrated.
Solutions:
If your subwoofer is underpowered, the first thing you should do is make sure it’s properly matched to the speakers it’s paired with. And, if it’s not, then try to find a better match.
If the subwoofer is still underpowered, you can try to increase the power it’s getting from the amplifier or mains supply. Finally, if all else fails, you can try to calibrate the subwoofer to get the best sound possible.
Faulty Amplifier
An amplifier can cause a subwoofer to rattle if it’s not providing enough power to the sub. The result will be a lot of bass notes that aren’t as loud as they should be, and the subwoofer may even start to clip.
Solutions:
The first step is to make sure that the amplifier is providing enough power to the subwoofer. If it’s not, then you’ll need to increase the power. Many amplifiers have a gain control that can be used to increase the power.
If the amplifier is providing enough power, then the next step is to check the subwoofer’s settings.
Make sure that the crossover is set to the correct frequency and that the subwoofer is set to the correct size.
The cabinet issues
The cabinet is the box that houses the subwoofer driver and amplifier. If this isn’t properly ventilated, heat can build up and damage the subwoofer components.
And, if the screws and joints of the cabinet are not tight enough, the vibrations caused by the subwoofer can make the whole structure shake and rattle.
Solutions:
Make sure the screws and joints of the cabinet are tight. Use acoustical caulk to seal any gaps between the subwoofer and the cabinet.
Also, make sure your subwoofer has proper ventilation. If it’s placed in an enclosed space, like a cabinet, make sure there’s enough ventilation so that heat can dissipate.
Read my other article to know what to do if your subwoofer is loud without input.
Why does the subwoofer rattle at low frequency?
There are a number of causes such as :
The subwoofer is not securely fastened:
If the subwoofer isn’t screwed or bolted down properly, it can rattle. Make sure to check that all screws and bolts are tightened securely.
The subwoofer is placed on an uneven surface:
If the subwoofer is placed on an uneven or soft surface, it can cause the subwoofer to vibrate and rattle. Place the subwoofer on a firm, level surface.
The subwoofer is placed near a source of vibration
If the subwoofer is placed near a source of vibration such as a speaker or amplifier, it can cause the subwoofer to vibrate and rattle. Move the subwoofer away from the source of vibration.
The subwoofer is damaged
If the subwoofer is damaged, it can rattle. Inspect the subwoofer for any damage and replace it if necessary.
The subwoofer is placed in a small enclosure
If the subwoofer is placed in a small enclosure, the vibrations can be amplified and cause the subwoofer to rattle. Place the subwoofer in a larger enclosure or move it to a different location.
The amplifier is not stable at low frequencies.
If the subwoofer is powered by an amplifier that is not stable at low frequencies, it can cause the subwoofer to vibrate and rattle. Use a different amplifier or move the subwoofer to a different location.
Troubleshooting the rattling noise of the subwoofer
There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the rattling noise of your subwoofer.
1. First, check all the connections to make sure they are secure.
2. Next, check to see if the subwoofer is placed on an uneven surface. If so, try placing it on a level surface.
3. Also, check to see if the subwoofer is placed near a source of vibration. If so, try moving it away from the source of vibration.
4. If the subwoofer is placed in a small enclosure, try moving it to a larger enclosure.
5. If all else fails, you may need to check for any damaged components. This includes checking for a tear in the cone, a gap in the cone, damaged surrounds, or a defective spider.
You may need to open the subwoofer to check for any of these issues. if you can’t do it on your own, contact a professional.
6. If your subwoofer is receiving too little power, it might also produce rattling. To check this, try powering up the subwoofer with a different amplifier.
7. If your subwoofer is receiving too much power, it might produce rattling. To check this, increase the volume gradually to see if the rattling noise starts at a certain point. If so, try decreasing the amount of power going to the subwoofer.
8. If you find that the issue is with the amplifier, try replacing the amplifier.
9. If the issue is with the cabinet, try replacing the cabinet.
10. Finally, If the subwoofer is damaged and can’t be repaired, you will need to replace it.
Know more about the subwoofer making loud noises from my other article.
Conclusion
Rattle is a common issue with subwoofers. It can occur at low or high frequencies and is typically caused by loose connections and defective components such as tears or gaps in the cone, damaged surrounds, or defective spiders. Sometimes, rattling may be due to the subwoofer being placed on an uneven surface or near a source of vibration.
It is also caused by the subwoofer cone vibrating in response to the amplitude of the signal that it is receiving, an underpowered subwoofer or overpowered subwoofer.
If you are unable to fix the issue yourself, contact a professional for help.
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.