How to Sound Proof Woofer Noise
Woofer (or subwoofer) "noise" can refer to a variety of problems. Noise may be generated by source unit (stereo, amplifier), by the speaker box, by the speaker itself or by external objects. Determining the source of the noise is usually simple, but fixing the problem may be as easy as rearranging objects or as expensive as replacing your home stereo receiver.
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Things You'll Need
- Stereo equipment
- Ability to lift your woofer/subwoofer unit
- Screwdriver
- An alternate audio source (receiver/amp)
- A second woofer/subwoofer unit for testing (optional)
Instructions
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1
The three most common types of noise caused by woofers or subwoofers are distortion, hum and rattle. If you have a humming noise or the output is distorted--the sound coming from the speaker is fuzzy or harsh--skip to Step 7. If the noise sounds like something rattling or vibrating, move to the next step.
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2
Remove any objects from the top of the speaker box. In particular, setting small, hard objects like coins, keys or cell phones on top of a subwoofer box can result in a lot of annoying rattling. You should not use any speaker box as a table or shelf.
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3
Lift the speaker box. If the rattling stops, the speaker unit is probably rattling against the surface it stands on. To resolve, make sure the speaker enclosure is on a flat surface. If you have the speaker on a multi-purpose piece of furniture like an entertainment center or end table, try putting it on the floor or a speaker stand instead. Placing a thin foam mat or piece of foam shelving liner between the speaker box and the floor can also help absorb rattling.
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4
Apply pressure to the top of the speaker box with your hand. If you have a larger woofer (10 inches or more), you can sit on top of the speaker enclosure to apply pressure. If the rattling stops when you apply pressure to the enclosure, there may be an issue with the construction of the speaker box. Remove the speaker cover (or grill) and tighten all of the screws used to mount the speaker to the enclosure. Then check all the joints (corners and edges) of the box itself. If the construction is anything less than solid, you may need a new speaker box to eliminate your rattling.
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5
Listen closely---is the rattling coming from somewhere in the room other than near the woofer itself? If so, locate the object that is rattling and take the necessary action to secure or move it.
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6
If you still have rattling after following all of the previous steps, you may have a loose piece of hardware rattling inside of the speaker box itself. Remove the cover, unscrew and remove the woofer, and check the box for loose washers, screws and electrical connectors. Remove and re-attach or replace any loose hardware and re-mount the speaker in the box.
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7
If the sound coming from your woofer is distorted, check the speaker for physical damage. Are there holes or tears? If so, replace the damaged speaker. If not, the distortion may be caused by an electrical problem in your receiver or amplifier; the unit will have to be repaired or replaced.
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8
If your subwoofer is humming, this may point to faulty wiring in the stereo unit, or even in your home. Ungrounded circuits can easily lead to loud humming to high-gain audio systems. Nearby electronics (televisions, computers) may also interfere with your high-gain speakers, causing an annoying hum.
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Tips & Warnings
To verify whether the problem is coming from the woofer or the stereo, try hooking your subwoofer up to a different compatible audio source, or hooking a friend's subwoofer up to your stereo. If the distortion is extremely harsh (short bursts of static) there may be a short in the wiring. Replacing your speaker wires as a preliminary troubleshooting step is a lot cheaper than buying a new home theater system.
Do not open the speaker box or work on a wiring problem without completely unplugging the speaker from the stereo, or the stereo equipment from the wall.
