Subwoofer distortion problem

[lordy]

i have recently purchased a 500w rms 4ohm zeuz subwoofer for djing purposes. I am currently powering it off a 300w rms per channel @ 4ohm amp. The speaker distorts at low volume levels so if i were to purchase a 500wpc @ 4ohm amp would it make a big difference in sound quality, power and distortion levels?

cheers
Lordy

 

[roddyama]

What frequency do you have the x-over set to? Something sounds fishy here besides the speaker.

 

[lordy]

The lower limit is 25hz and the higher is 145hz

 

[Guss]

Then try lowering the cutoff of the beast.

 

[lordy]

Ive tried that b4 it didnt make a diff, could i have damaged my amp when my last speaker broke ?

 

[roddyama]

The lower limit is 25hz and the higher is 145hz

Does that mean that the box is tuned to have an f3 of 25Hz and you're using an active x-over at 145Hz (which as Guss indicates is a bit too high)? I thinking that there's something wrong with the x-over and the signal is not getting to the speaker. You should have plenty of SPL from a 300Watt amp. Another 2db or 3db of amp power isn't going to fix this problem.

 

[lordy]

25hz is the low cut from the active cross over and when i say it distorts at low levels i mean compared to my main speakers

 

[Guss]

Change your source, and everything you got controll on in your audio chain, bypass active xo...

 

[lordy]

I plugged my cd player into my amp and theres no differance it still distorts and clips at a relativly low volume thanks for your help n e way.

 

[Bull]

reply

Well Zeuz is very simular to Bumper in specs,looks and materials used, and both of these ain't that good quality.Also i don't know what amp your using but 4ohms clips more easily than 8 ohms,and pushing a lot of low bass content though a cheapy speaker especially at 25 hz can damage the voice coil by overheating and or over excersion.
25hz amplified by the amp makes a lot of heat,possibly causing the amp to clip prematurely and into 4 0hm it produces even more heat.
Or if the amp isn't clipping u got a defective driver caused by a manufacting defect in speaker when made.

 

[roddyama]

This is just a test

I would take the main amplifier and connect one channel directly to the subwoofer terminals bypassing all x-overs. This is just to see if the speaker is bad. You should get the same low output and distortion if it is bad.

 

[chops]

Ive tried that b4 it didnt make a diff, could i have damaged my amp when my last speaker broke ?

This is a strong possibility. My brother had an AR sub lock up on him, and before he could do anything about it, something in the amp went too, causing the new driver to sound blown as well. The distortion the amp was creating sounded exactly like the voice coil scraping on the pole piece.