subwoofer recommendations?

[medjuck]

My 15 year old Velodyne (sp?) subwoofer is starting to rattle. (OK it's been rattling for a long time.) Anyone got suggestions for a replacement?

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Is the cabinet able to be taken apart? If so, why not just re-cone the driver? If it's rattling, it's almost certainly just a rotted foam surround. It'll probably cost you around $40 to re-cone it and you'll get another 15 years.

[porcy62]

Is the cabinet able to be taken apart? If so, why not just re-cone the driver? If it's rattling, it's almost certainly just a rotted foam surround. It'll probably cost you around $40 to re-cone it and you'll get another 15 years.

I second that, if you like the sound why change it?

[medjuck]

Is the cabinet able to be taken apart? If so, why not just re-cone the driver? If it's rattling, it's almost certainly just a rotted foam surround. It'll probably cost you around $40 to re-cone it and you'll get another 15 years.

I second that, if you like the sound why change it?

Ignorance. Didn't know I could do that.

[porcy62]

Is the cabinet able to be taken apart? If so, why not just re-cone the driver? If it's rattling, it's almost certainly just a rotted foam surround. It'll probably cost you around $40 to re-cone it and you'll get another 15 years.

I second that, if you like the sound why change it?

Ignorance. Didn't know I could do that.

If you're a wizard of DIY you may try for yourself, though my suggestion is to look for a specialist, true "hi-fi" sellers usually know some expert guys that can do it for you. It will cost you some phonecalls for finding one, plus the job. Much less then a new sub.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

If you do get it done, see if they can re-do the surround in another material like butyl rubber as opposed to foam.

DIY is tricky, especially for a sub, since it has a long throw. The trick is locking the cone about halfway through its full extension. Too far out and the surround is pulled in at rest. Too far in and it will stretch the surround at peaks.

[ASNL77]

Up for this topic. Looking for recommendation for a subwoofer in the region of £500. Any suggestion?

I have found a good deal on a M&K V850. Any good?

Edited December 30, 2008 by ASNL77

[jazzbo]

My favorite stereo builder started off repairing speakers and refoaming etc. He's gone on to design and build many speakers including a handful of subwoofers that he sells today in plan form or fiinished.

He has a page with parts and instructions, and I bet he would also do the repairs. I trust this man, Steve Deckert, as I trust few others. Here's the page:

http://www.decware.com/newsite/repairs.html

ASNL77, I'm not a subwoofer user, but if I had a need for one I'd seriously consider a Decware subwoofer. They make reasonably priced excellent handmade products.

Their subwoofers are on this page with all the other speakers:

http://www.decware.com/newsite/speakers.html

Edited December 30, 2008 by jazzbo

[Robert J]

I recently picked up a sub from SVS after hearing so many good things about them. I went with the second from entry-level (PB12NSD) and it easily competes with subs 3x the price that I demo-ed. Because of its unique design, they are massive. You will impress everyone who hears and sees it

Last night I started watching the 3+ hour director's cut of "Das Boot" and my 14 year old son kept coming down to tell me to please turn it lower (scenes when the depth charges went off). I explained it wasn't just the volume, but the fact that it goes as low as 14hz!

SVS - American site

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub.cfm

They also have a UK dealer - in your £500 range

http://www.subsonicsounds.co.uk/html/pb12nsd.htm

[ASNL77]

Thanks, chaps. Some useful info here.

[mr jazz]

this link might prove helpful

http://www.tweakcityaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11

[Robert J]

Yowza!

[mr jazz]

Yowza!

Keep an eye on Audiogon dot com and HT online forums to get an idea for pricing. I bought my sub used and wouldn't hesitate to do it again; however I was able to see and listen to it before purchasing. Also keep in mind subs are heavy so arranging a local pickup will save you $$ and also may get you a good deal as sellers typically don't like dealing with shipping these beasts.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Don't live next door to a husky whose owners keep going out.

MG

[Chuck Nessa]

[medjuck]

Since I started this thread a couple of years ago I should report that I got my old sub-woofer repaired (I think it cost over $100) and it works just fine. Found a strange place in downtown LA tht advertised that they fixed sub-woofers. Looked like an overfilled pawn shop and had to spend a lot of time listening to the owner explain why vinyl was better than cds but he did the job very much to my satisfaction.

[porcy62]

Since I started this thread a couple of years ago I should report that I got my old sub-woofer repaired (I think it cost over $100) and it works just fine. Found a strange place in downtown LA tht advertised that they fixed sub-woofers. Looked like an overfilled pawn shop and had to spend a lot of time listening to the owner explain why vinyl was better than cds but he did the job very much to my satisfaction.

And now you are a born again vinyl's worshipper too, aren't you?