testing a woofer

Professor smith · 29th January 2012, 07:25 PM

I have a pair of 12 inch woofers from a subwoofer. I want to test them to see if they are working as they are supposed to. They work, but I keep thinking they dont sound the same as before.

What tests can I do on them?

head_unit · 29th January 2012, 11:45 PM

Well, that's difficult to answer if you don't have any previous measurements to compare. Who is the manufacturer? Is there any part number on the woofers? What was the subwoofer model #? Do they face up or down when mounted?

And THEN, why do you think they don't sound the same?

AllenB · 30th January 2012, 12:11 AM

Measuring the DC resistance of the voice coils will go a ways toward verifying their integrity. Inspect them mechanically to see whether the coils rub and the suspension and cone are intact. Measure the frequency response.

Verifying that the pair measure similarly will add weight to the thought that they are OK. It sounds as if you have changed their operating conditions lately. Have you relocated them or something else?

TheGimp · 30th January 2012, 12:21 AM

You say you have two woofers "from" a subwoofer. Does this mean that they are removed from the enclosure?

Are you comparing the sound of the drivers to the drivers in the subwoofer enclosure? Or have you been using them out of the enclosure?

Professor smith · 30th January 2012, 10:31 AM

The subwoofer they came out of is the EPIK leggend sub. I dont think there is any label or part number on the drivers so I dont know who the manufacturer is. Could be a custom made unit.

Quote:

It sounds as if you have changed their operating conditions lately. Have you relocated them or something else?

I havent changed anything. I didnt abuse them, I played them within their limits and anyway it has a built in limiter so its hard to damage it.

Quote:

Are you comparing the sound of the drivers to the drivers in the subwoofer enclosure? Or have you been using them out of the enclosure?

No. I'm just going by what I remember. I remember the bass being deeper and more even.
Now it seems it doesnt go as deep or the bass is as even. I have tried changing the positioning. I just want to make sure the drive units are working properly.

weltersys · 30th January 2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor smith

No. I'm just going by what I remember. I remember the bass being deeper and more even.
Now it seems it doesnt go as deep or the bass is as even. I have tried changing the positioning. I just want to make sure the drive units are working properly.

After a short suspension break in period, very little change occurs in a subwoofer.

If the cone has not become mushy from water damage or really long term punishment, and the voice coil is not dragging, and the suspension appears intact, your perception is probably just from being more aware of LF now than before.

I used to think 40 Hz was low, now that subs with high output in to the teens are easily available, 40 Hz does not seem very deep any more.

Professor smith · 30th January 2012, 09:18 PM

that could be the case. So to test that, I could take a long break from using the subwoofer and come back to it to see what I hear?

AllenB · 30th January 2012, 09:36 PM

Another thing to look at would be room placement. Not only modes from sub location, but bass harmonics due to your mains.

ODougbo · 30th January 2012, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor smith

The subwoofer they came out of is the EPIK leggend sub. I dont think there is any label or part number on the drivers so I dont know who the manufacturer is. Could be a custom made unit.

I havent changed anything. I didnt abuse them, I played them within their limits and anyway it has a built in limiter so its hard to damage it.

No. I'm just going by what I remember. I remember the bass being deeper and more even.
Now it seems it doesnt go as deep or the bass is as even. I have tried changing the positioning. I just want to make sure the drive units are working properly.

Speakers/woofers can last a really long time.

You say you haven't changed "anything"; does that include the hook up wire length? Also, the amp is a plate amp, mounted the speaker(s) - yes? Long speaker wire runs to large drivers can make them sound off.

revboden · 11:07 PM

Are you using the same amp as before?

Do you have any testing equipment? A calibrated mic and some capture software such as REW-5 will help a lot.

29th January 2012, 07:25 PM	#1
Professor smith Banned Join Date: Sep 2008	testing a woofer I have a pair of 12 inch woofers from a subwoofer. I want to test them to see if they are working as they are supposed to. They work, but I keep thinking they dont sound the same as before. What tests can I do on them?

30th January 2012, 11:02 PM	#10
revboden diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2011	Are you using the same amp as before? Do you have any testing equipment? A calibrated mic and some capture software such as REW-5 will help a lot. Last edited by revboden; 30th January 2012 at 11:07 PM.

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29th January 2012, 11:45 PM	#2
head_unit diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles	Well, that's difficult to answer if you don't have any previous measurements to compare. Who is the manufacturer? Is there any part number on the woofers? What was the subwoofer model #? Do they face up or down when mounted? And THEN, why do you think they don't sound the same?

30th January 2012, 12:11 AM	#3
AllenB diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2008	Measuring the DC resistance of the voice coils will go a ways toward verifying their integrity. Inspect them mechanically to see whether the coils rub and the suspension and cone are intact. Measure the frequency response. Verifying that the pair measure similarly will add weight to the thought that they are OK. It sounds as if you have changed their operating conditions lately. Have you relocated them or something else?

30th January 2012, 12:21 AM	#4
TheGimp diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Johnson City, TN	You say you have two woofers "from" a subwoofer. Does this mean that they are removed from the enclosure? Are you comparing the sound of the drivers to the drivers in the subwoofer enclosure? Or have you been using them out of the enclosure?

30th January 2012, 09:18 PM	#7
Professor smith Banned Join Date: Sep 2008	that could be the case. So to test that, I could take a long break from using the subwoofer and come back to it to see what I hear?

30th January 2012, 09:36 PM	#8
AllenB diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2008	Another thing to look at would be room placement. Not only modes from sub location, but bass harmonics due to your mains.

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