Stiff Subwoofer: What Does It Mean, Causes, Solutions

Last updated on August 30th, 2022 at 11:40 pm

One of the most commonly used sound systems nowadays is the subwoofer. However, there are a few concerns to be aware of when utilizing it. Many subwoofer owners worry about the fact that their subwoofer is stiff.

But, is it really a problem? Or, something else?

In this article, you will learn about the causes of your subwoofer’s being stiff and the solutions.

What is the stiff subwoofer?

Before you understand what a stiff subwoofer is, you need to know about its components.

The suspension of a subwoofer is the part that attaches the cone to the frame. The purpose of the suspension is to support the cone and keep it from hitting anything while the subwoofer is operating. The cone of the sub is attached to the suspension via a spider.

The spider is a donut-shaped piece of material that is placed around the edge of the cone. It has a hole in the center for the voice coil to pass through. The spider also has a surround that goes around the outside edge of the cone.

The surround is what allows the cone to move back and forth. The surround is attached to the frame of the subwoofer. When the voice coil moves, it causes the cone to move. The movement of the cone produces sound.

The suspension is what gives the subwoofer its stiffness. The suspension is made of a material that is very stiff. The material is usually a type of plastic or metal. The suspension is what keeps the cone from moving too much.

The spider is also made of a material that is very rigid. The spider is what keeps the cone from moving too much in one direction.

The surround is made of a material that is very flexible. The surround is what allows the cone to move back and forth.

What does it mean when a subwoofer is stiff?

When a subwoofer is stiff, it means that the suspension is not allowing the cone to move as much as it should. In addition, the spider is made of a pretty stiff material.

In some cases, a subwoofer may be designed to have a stiff cone or suspension to produce a specific sound. For example, many car audio subs have stiff cones or suspensions to produce a “tight” bass sound.

Hometheater subwoofers generally have softer suspensions to produce a “loose” or “boomy” bass sound.

A softer cone or suspension means that the woofer can move more. This usually results in a fuller, richer sound.

Generally, a subwoofer with a stiff cone or suspension will have a better low-frequency response than a sub with a softer cone or suspension. However, the sound quality will not be as good.

This can result in a harsh, tinny sound. Often, a subwoofer with a stiff cone or suspension will be less efficient, meaning that it will require more power to produce the same volume as a sub with a softer cone or suspension.

A subwoofer with a stiff cone or suspension will also be more resistant to damage from high volume levels, less likely to produce distortions, and more likely to produce a “clean” sound at high volume levels.

What does it mean when a subwoofer sounds stiff?

If you notice that your subwoofer is not producing the same level of bass output as it used to, or if it seems to be struggling to produce sound at all, then it may also be considered “stiff subwoofer’s sound.”

It can typically be caused by faulty wiring or damaged components and can be fixed by addressing these issues or replacing the sub altogether.

What causes a subwoofer to have a stiff cone or suspension?

There are several reasons why a subwoofer may have a stiff cone or suspension.

1. The subwoofer is not properly broken in.

If the subwoofer is not properly broken in, it can sound weak and harsh. Make sure to break in the sub according to the manufacturer’s instructions before using it.

2. The subwoofer has been designed to have a stiff cone or suspension.

The most common reason is that the subwoofer’s cone or suspension has been made extremely rigid. This is frequently done in order to achieve a specific sound.

3. Damaged subwoofer

Another common reason is that the subwoofer has been damaged. This can happen if the sub is dropped or hit. Often, the damage will cause the cone or suspension to become rigid.

4. The subwoofer being old

As the subwoofer ages, the cone or suspension can become rigid. This is due to the materials used in the woofer breaking down over time.

5. Dried out the subwoofer

Another possible reason is that the subwoofer is old and has dried out. This can happen if the sub is not used for a long period of time.

6. The subwoofer being stored in a cold environment

It can happen when the sub may have been stored in a cold environment. It may be stored in a garage or shed.

7. The subwoofer being used in a humid environment

Another possible cause is that the woofer may have been used in a humid environment. This can happen if it is placed near a swimming pool or in a room with high humidity.

8. The subwoofer being used in a dusty environment

Another possible cause is that the woofer may have been used in a dusty environment. This can happen if it is placed in a room with a lot of dust.

9. The subwoofer being exposed to direct sunlight

Another potential cause is that the sub may have been exposed to direct sunlight. This can happen if it is placed in a window or near a direct heat source.

10. Faulty components

If you find that your subwoofer sounds stiff, it may have faulty components or poor wiring.

Check out the causes and fixes of the subwoofer not being loud as used to be.

How to fix a stiff subwoofer?

There are several solutions to a stiff subwoofer.

1. The second solution is to break in the subwoofer. If the sub is not properly broken in, you can try breaking it in according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

This usually involves playing music or other audio at low volumes for a period of time.

Once the woofer is properly broken in, it should sound better and be less weak.

2. The second solution is to simply replace the subwoofer. This is the most effective solution and will often completely solve the problem.

If the reason for the stiffness is that the sub has been designed to have a stiff cone or suspension, then there is not much that can be done.

2. If the reason for the stiffness is that the woofer has been damaged, then the best solution is to replace the sub.

3. You can also repair the subwoofer. This can be done by replacing the damaged components or by addressing the issues that caused the damage.

4. Another solution is to use a sub with a softer cone or suspension. This will often improve the sound quality of the sub and make it easier to produce sound.

5. You can try to store the subwoofer in a warm environment. This will often help to prevent the cone or suspension from becoming tight.

6. You can also try to avoid exposing the sub to direct sunlight. This will often help to prevent the cone or suspension from becoming rigid.

7. If the reason for the stiffness is that the woofer is old and has dried out, then the best solution is to lubricate the cone or suspension. This can be done with a variety of lubricants, such as Vaseline or WD-40.

8. You can try to increase the humidity in the room where the sub is located. This will often help to prevent the cone or suspension from becoming rigid.

9. If the reason for the stiffness is that the sub is being used in a dusty environment, then the best solution is to clean the dust from the woofer. This can be done with a vacuum cleaner or compressed air.

10. If your subwoofer sounds stiff, you have to repair or replace the damaged component or buy a new subwoofer.

Stiff suspension or loose suspension: Which is better for the home subwoofers?

Simply speaking, a softer or loose suspension is preferred for home theater subwoofers because it enables the sub to accurately reproduce low frequencies without distortion. A stiffer suspension is typically used for car subwoofers because it can withstand the high temperatures and vibrations that are present in a car.

The extra stiff suspension basically means that the cone will have less surface area in contact with the air. This results in less friction and cone flex, which means the cone can move more quickly and thus produce louder bass. However, because of the stiffer suspension, if heavier bass notes are played over a long period of time they may start to resonate, which can lead to distortion.

On the other hand, loose suspension and a larger cone surface area mean that bass notes are less likely to distort, but the cone will have more flex and therefore be slower to respond to changes in the music. This can result in a muddy-sounding bass.

So, which is better? There is no easy answer to this question as it depends on personal preferences and what type of sound you are looking for.

However, some people prefer a stiffer suspension for more powerful bass, while others might prefer a looser suspension for a deeper, richer sound.

Things to consider when choosing between stiff and loose suspension

There are a few things to consider when choosing between stiff and loose suspension for your home subwoofers.

The main thing to keep in mind is what kind of sound you are looking for. If you want a deep, rich sound, then you will want to go with stiff suspension. If you are looking for a more bouncy, lively sound, then loose suspension may be a better option for you.

Another thing to consider is the size of your room. If you have a large room, then stiff suspension may be the better option because it will prevent the sound from bouncing around too much. If you have a smaller room, then loose suspension may be a better option because it will allow the sound to fill the space more easily.

Know in detail about subwoofer placement in a room.

Finally, you should also consider the type of music you like to listen to. If you enjoy music with a lot of basses, then stiff suspension may be the better option. If you prefer music with more treble, then loose suspension may be a better option.

Ultimately, the choice of stiff or loose suspension is up to you and what kind of sound you are trying to achieve. Experiment with both and see which one you prefer.

How to test if your subwoofer is stiff?

There are a few ways that you can test whether or not your subwoofer is stiff.

One way is to simply try to move the cone of the subwoofer. If it is difficult to move, or if it feels like it is resisting movement, then it is likely that the subwoofer down very easily, then the subwoofer is probably weak.

Another way is to try tapping on the cone lightly with your finger. If the sound is dull and does not resonate well, then the woofer is likely weak.

You can also check if your subwoofer sounds stiff. You can do it by playing a low-frequency sound through your sub and observing if it sounds distorted or muffled. If it does, this is a sign that your woofer is weak.

How do you soften a subwoofer?

Weak subwoofers are a common problem for many audio enthusiasts, and there are a few different ways to fix them.

The most common way is to simply add some sort of damping material to the sub enclosure.

This might include filling the enclosure with foam, using sound dampening sheets or mats, or adding stuffing to prevent unwanted resonance in the woofer.

Another option is to make adjustments to the subwoofer’s crossover settings. When a subwoofer gets weak, it typically means that the low-frequency audio signals are getting sent to the sub too quickly, resulting in lower bass response and more resonance.

By adjusting the crossover frequency, you can manipulate the speed at which these signals are sent to the sub, which should help improve its performance.

Finally, if all else fails, you may need to disassemble the sub and make some physical adjustments.

This could include re-aligning the voice coil, changing the size or shape of the enclosure, or even replacing the subwoofer itself.

If you’re not comfortable making these kinds of repairs on your own, it’s always best to consult a professional for help.

Conclusion

A stiff subwoofer can be caused by a variety of factors. The best solution is to replace the subwoofer. However, there are a variety of other solutions that can be tried. These include repair, use of a softer cone or suspension, storing in a suitable environment, or replacing the subwoofer.