Why Is My Subwoofer Not Hitting Hard? (Cause & Fix)
Are you frustrated with a subwoofer that just isn’t hitting hard enough? You’ve cranked up the volume, yet all you hear is the faint sound of your music coming through. It’s like it’s just not making a difference, and it’s so frustrating!
Well, there are several possible reasons why you’re experiencing a subwoofer bass problem. It could be caused by wiring, phasing, box/installation problems, inefficient design, a faulty voice coil, or misaligned RCA connectors. You should check all these areas to ensure everything is set up correctly and functioning properly.
In this article, we’ll take a look at why you have a subwoofer low bass problem and how you can fix the issue.
Why is My Sub Not Hitting Hard?
Sometimes when you pump out your favorite hits, you don’t feel the rumble that you’ve been expecting from your subwoofer, and it leaves you scratching your head. Below, we’ll look at the 7 different reasons why your sub might not be hitting hard.
Wiring Issues
It’s possible that your subwoofer isn’t hitting hard due to wiring issues, especially polarity issues. Make sure that your subwoofer’s positive and negative terminals are connected to the correct terminals on your receiver or amplifier. Incorrect polarity can cause weaker bass performance.
Phase Issues
Your subwoofer is not hitting hard due to a phase issue. When two or more speakers are connected to the same amplifier, the “phasing” of those speakers can cause distortion in the sound. If the speakers are out of phase, the low-frequency sound waves will cancel each other out, resulting in a less powerful sound.
Bad System Design
There’s a possibility that your subwoofer isn’t reaching its full potential due to a system design issue. In order to maximize the performance of your subwoofer, you have to ensure the amplifier is properly matched with the subwoofer and that you have a powerful enough powerplant and power delivery system. If these elements don’t work in synergy, you won’t get the full, hard-hitting sound.
Subwoofer Box Design Issues
It could be that your subwoofer isn’t hitting hard because of its box and installation. Depending on the type and construction of your setup, it may be that the box isn’t sealed properly, too large or small for your subwoofer, or that the subwoofer isn’t mounted securely. This could be preventing the subwoofer from producing the power and bass you’re expecting.
Bad Voice Coil
A damaged voice coil in your subwoofer will result in weak bass because it prevents the subwoofer from properly converting electrical signals into sound waves. The voice coil is responsible for producing a strong magnetic field when current is applied, so a damaged voice coil won’t be able to produce the same strong magnetic field, resulting in weaker bass.
Poor Positioning
If your subwoofer is not properly placed, it won’t be able to deliver the full range of bass frequencies. To ensure optimal performance, ensure your subwoofer is placed away from walls and in an open area of your room. Additionally, be sure it’s not too close to your other speakers, as this can cause interference. Lastly, make sure your subwoofer is in phase with the rest of your system, meaning the positive and negative connections are wired correctly.
RCA Cables Problems
It’s possible that the RCA cables connecting your subwoofer to the amplifier are not providing a strong enough signal for the subwoofer to hit hard. Check that your cables are firmly connected and that they are not faulty. If they seem to be in good condition, try replacing them with higher-quality cables to see if that makes a difference.
How do I Fix My Subs Not Hitting hard?
As seen above, there are several potential causes for your subs not hitting hard, so it’s important to identify the issue before attempting to fix it.
Start by checking the wiring for any loose connections and ensuring that all the cables are properly connected. Additionally, check for any phase issues that may be causing your subs to be out of sync.
If the wiring and phase issues are not the problem, the next step is to inspect the box and installation of your subs to ensure everything is secure and connected properly.
If that is all good, then consider the system design to ensure it is appropriate for your subs. You should also check the voice coil and make sure it is in good condition. Lastly, check the positioning of your subs and the quality of your RCA cables to ensure they are not causing any issues.
Subwoofer Brands and Their Bass Reproduction
As bass lovers, we all know that subwoofers are essential for creating a top-notch home theater experience. A good subwoofer can enhance your listening pleasure by delivering bone-shaking bass, crisply articulating soundtracks, and detailed dialogue.
But it’s not just the quality of the subwoofer that matters – the brand of the subwoofer can also have an impact on bass reproduction. In the table below, we outline the five top subwoofer brands with their best bass subwoofers and their bass production capabilities.
Table (check reference)
How Does Subwoofer Size Affect How Hard It Hits?
Subwoofer size has a direct effect on how hard it hits.
Larger subwoofers have the capability to move more air, producing louder and more powerful bass. The greater cone surface area and increased power handling of larger subwoofers also contribute to their increased output and punch.
Smaller subwoofers are capable of more accuracy but do not provide the same level of power and punch as larger subs.
FAQs
Q: Why Is It Not Advisable to Mount an Amplifier to The Box?
A: It is not advisable to mount an amplifier to the box because doing so can break the seal of the box, and if the box moves, it could affect the wiring. This could potentially lead to the bass performance of the subwoofer being affected.
Q: How Do I Test the State of The Voice Coil of My Subwoofer?
A: To test the state of the voice coil of a subwoofer, you can use a multimeter to measure the coil’s resistance. Set the multimeter to the resistance setting, then attach the leads of the multimeter to the terminals of the coil and measure the resistance. The resistance should be within the range specified by the manufacturer.
Q: How Do I Make My Subwoofer Hit Harder?
A: To make your subwoofer hit harder, you should adjust the gain settings on your amplifier to a higher level. You should also increase the power output of your amplifier so that your subwoofer receives more power. Additionally, you could USE A DEDICATED SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER to get even more power to your subwoofer.
Q: Does A Bass Knob Make a Subwoofer Hit Harder?
A: A bass knob can adjust the frequency response from 1kHz downwards, but it will not make a subwoofer hit harder. To achieve a full and even response, the bass knob needs to be set to boost lower frequencies (20-100Hz) rather than just the lower end of 1kHz.
Q: Will A Bigger Amp Make My Subwoofer Hit Harder?
A: Yes, a bigger amp will make your subwoofer hit harder, as more power will be available to drive the subwoofer. This will ensure that the subwoofer receives the appropriate amount of power to reach higher volume levels.
Conclusion: Why Isn’t My Subwoofer Hitting Hard?
Potential culprits for a subwoofer that isn’t hitting hard can range from faulty wiring and phasing, installation and box problems, inefficient design, and more.
So, when looking for answers to why your subwoofer isn’t “hitting hard,” it’s best to check all these areas to make sure everything is hooked up correctly and functioning properly. Hopefully, following these steps will get your sub pumping as needed!
