At audosk, the subwoofer is a large speaker used to produce deep sounds (bass). It often serves as a partner to the main speaker, making music and movie sound more complete. However, sometimes the subwoofer spoils everything. Knowing this, a subwoofer is merely an oversized speaker.
But it’s also a speaker, so if you don’t use it right, you can mess up the sound. Perhaps the biggest problem is when a subwoofer tries to play bass sounds that it cannot handle. The sound waves are therefore clipped by the subwoofer, which causes bad sound. There are other reasons too.
How do you know if your subwoofer is messing up the sound?
Before we move on to consider why a subwoofer might disrupt the sound later at low volumes, however, it’s important first that you be able to ensure whether or not this is in fact down to the fault of your sub.
You almost always know right away if the sound is out of order. But you’ve got to listen carefully, especially if it is loud. Because the messed-up sound is very different from what you should hear.
Play a song you’re familiar with, and listen carefully for any problems that may arise from the subwoofer. If the subwoofer isn’t doing its job, your sound won’t be what you expect. In the distorted sound, there is also fuzzing or static and hissing.
Several Typical Causes of Subwoofer Distortion
Your Subwoofer Is Working Too Hard: If your subwoofer tries to produce a lot of bass it can easily distort the sound. This occurs when the subwoofer gets pushed too hard for its comfort. Fixing this is simple: turn down the bass.
Broken Subwoofer: A broken subwoofer makes the sound go bad. Because this damage makes the subwoofer shake irregularly, it affects sound. So what’s the solution? You may need to replace broken parts, or switch your subwoofer.
Not Set Up Right: If you don’t set up the subwoofer right it can get out of whack. It is because the subwoofer lacks the bass. So be sure to set up the subwoofer correctly.
Subwoofer Doesn’t Match the Rest of the System: However, if the subwoofer doesn’t go with your system it can ruin a great sound. This is the result if your subwoofer cannot generate enough bass for your system. The solution to this problem is simply a matter of ensuring that your subwoofer is compatible with the rest of your system.
Room Isn’t Good for Sound: If your room isn’t suitable for good sound, it can roast the subwoofer. This is what happens to sound waves bouncing off of walls: they’re heard in a different way. For this, perhaps you need to improve the sound environment in your room.
If your subwoofer cuts in and out, leading to distortion, there are several steps you can take to fix the issue. This problem often results from connection issues, incorrect settings, or power supply problems. Start by checking all connections to ensure they’re secure and free from damage.
Next, review the subwoofer’s settings, including the crossover and volume levels, and adjust them as needed to avoid overloading the speaker. Also, ensure the subwoofer is receiving a consistent power supply. Addressing these factors can help fix the cutting in and out problem, reducing distortion and restoring clear, uninterrupted bass from your subwoofer.
How To Fix Subwoofer Distortion?
You can attempt one or more of the following fixes to address a subwoofer that is producing distortion in sound:
1. Choose a Lower Crossover Frequency:
Where one subwoofer hands off low sounds to the main speaker is called crossover frequency. If your subwoofer ‘s crossover frequency is too high, it will attempt to play sounds that are beyond its capabilities. This messes up the sound. To repair it, lower the crossover frequency. Most subwoofers are best set between 80 and 120 Hz.
2. Use a Lower Volume Setting:
If your subwoofer is too loud, it messes up the sound. It does this when it tries to produce sounds beyond its ability.
The solution is to simply turn down the volume on the subwoofer. Turn it up gradually, and when you hear something good stop.
3. Use a Larger Subwoofer:
Yet if you’re still struggling, then perhaps your subwoofer is just too small. The larger one doesn’t get mired under louder sounds. This isn’t cheap, perhaps this is the only way.
4. Set Up Your Amp Gains Properly:
Amplify your sub? The amp gains have to be right. Amp controls the amount of power that goes to the sub. If they are too low, the sound will be disjointed. Fixing it: Turn down the amp gains. Turn them down low and turn them up softly until it sounds right.
5. Use Equalization to Reduce Distortion:
But equalization can undo the distortion. More specifically, equalization means adjusting the frequencies of a sound so as to reduce distortion. This can be done in several ways but a graphic equalizer is an example. You can fine-tune individual frequencies, which have something to do with subwoofer distortion.
6. Use Sound Damping:
Can’t get the sound right still? Then try using sound damping. This is something that you put on top of the speaker. It soaks up shakes and prevents them from reaching the speaker.
This prevents the subwoofer from shaking. It will be expensive, but it might just be the answer.
7. Use a Subwoofer Isolation Pad:
Another approach is to employ a subwoofer isolation pad. Here is a piece of foam for you to put between the subwoofer and floor. Shakes are absorbed and kept from getting to the speaker.
It prevents the subwoofer from shaking. It may be costly, but perhaps it is the necessary sacrifice.
8. Use a Subwoofer Enclosure:
Still having trouble? Try using a subwoofer enclosure.It is a ring around the subwoofer. This stops the subwoofer from shaking, reducing distortion.
9. Get a New Subwoofer:
If your sub is still lifting the sound, change it. But a new subwoofer can be counted on to maintain this clarity without muddying it. It is a long shot, but perhaps there is no other way out.
10. Upgrade Sound System:
A new sound system? With a new system, you often get clear sound without distortion. This may be an expensive approach, but it may be the only way.
Besides, to fix subwoofer distortion in a Sonos system, resetting the Sonos subwoofer can be a helpful step. If you’re experiencing distorted or unclear sound, a reset can bring the subwoofer back to its default settings, potentially resolving any sound issues.
Conclusion
At audiosk, taking good care of your subwoofer is a good way to avoid its wrecking the sound at low volumes. All too often, problems with subwoofers are down to people not cleaning them properly or not setting them up correctly. If you’ve tried all those fixes and nothing works, they probably should send somebody to examine it for you. It’s a bigger problem. At worst, you’ll need to buy another.
