Subwoofer Sounds Slappy
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Frisco TX
Subwoofer Sounds Slappy
I just installed a new head unit, speakers, Rockford Fosgate P300-1 amp, and a JL Audio 10" sub that is about 15 years old in my C4. I know nothing about car audio and the only word I can think of to describe the sound of the sub is slappy when it hits very low. I've been messing with the various adjustments and when I crank the amp up to get the desired level of bass I like the lows sound pretty distorted....i.e. slappy. The sub is old, but has had an easy life over the last 15 years in a 60 year old man's Volvo. Do you think I need a new sub or is there any chance in tuning out the slappiness while maintaining a good thump? 
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Fort Knox
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,713
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From: Morgan Utah
I have some really nice, much better quality, subs I am closing out if interested. There is a little work to make them fit in some enclosures, I can send the measurements if you wish.
Note: I am closing down for a vacation starting tomorrow, the 23rd, at noon until sometime after the first of the year but I have quite a few of these very good subs.
Sincerely
Rick
Note: I am closing down for a vacation starting tomorrow, the 23rd, at noon until sometime after the first of the year but I have quite a few of these very good subs.
Sincerely
Rick
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
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If you take the sub out of the enclosure and take a closer look at the spider it will tell you what is going on. The spider should be flat and true but at that age it will be collapsed if it's life was spent horizontally mounted or stored.
A collapsed spider does exactly what you are describing. The voicecoil is no longer centered in the magnetic gap and at higher excursion levels (lower freq's) there will be a loss of cone (soft parts) control due to the coil coming out of the magnetic gap.
Given the age of the sub I am very suprised the foam surround didn't turn to dust on the first hard run.
Get yourself a new sub or a repair kit for the old one if the coil isn't damaged from bottoming out.
A collapsed spider does exactly what you are describing. The voicecoil is no longer centered in the magnetic gap and at higher excursion levels (lower freq's) there will be a loss of cone (soft parts) control due to the coil coming out of the magnetic gap.
Given the age of the sub I am very suprised the foam surround didn't turn to dust on the first hard run.
Get yourself a new sub or a repair kit for the old one if the coil isn't damaged from bottoming out.
