Well, went outside to mow the lawn...got back inside after about an hour. Got to noticing the sub wasn't working anymore. So started dinking with the settings on the receiver and nothing. Got another sub out, it worked fine so it wasn't the receiver (ouch) took the SVS PB10-NSD back to another room and plugged it in and nothing. I haven't had it for more than 30 days so I guess it's time to call SVS on monday and figure out what I need to do.

Will they just send out a warranty driver?...I suspect that's what's wrong with it.
BTW, How far can I go to looking at this thing without voiding my warranty? I'd like to plug in another driver just to see if I'm right but I'm afraid to void the warranty.


This really sucks...I was all set to show off to my brother who is coming in from Kansas City this weekend. :mad:

email them now...you'll probably get a reply shortly. Unless the VC is blown or the magnet is detached, the amp is the more likely to suffer breakdown. It may be something as simple as a loose connection between the amp and driver. You can take either out and look...wouldn't recommend putting another driver in though.

email them now...you'll probably get a reply shortly. Unless the VC is blown or the magnet is detached, the amp is the more likely to suffer breakdown. It may be something as simple as a loose connection between the amp and driver. You can take either out and look...wouldn't recommend putting another driver in though.


My point being, you can plug another driver in for a moment to tell if you are getting anything. By doing this you should be able to narrow it down to a driver I would think. I'm itching to take this thing apart and look...I'm not retarded I know a thing or two about electronics...computers anyway.

I got an email in to them so we will see.

Not to familiar with that amp, but check to see if there is a fuse that you could check to see if its blown.

Not to familiar with that amp, but check to see if there is a fuse that you could check to see if its blown.


Don't see any place for a fuse...looks like I would have to remove it from the box in order to inspect further, I'm sure it has one somewhere on it. Seems like I remember the manual saying something about a fuse but that might have been another sub I bought. I'll have to see if I can find the manual for it.

Is the power light on? Have you checked the 'Doh' items like the power cord or switch?

I have fried the VC but didn't know if it was the driver or amp. SVS shipped out both and asked me to return the originals after replacement. They paid shipping both ways. I also blew a fuse, but I still had the replaced amp and just swapped with it. I do tend to run may sub a little hot, OK, a lot hot. Haven't had a problem since.

Is the power light on? Have you checked the 'Doh' items like the power cord or switch?

I have fried the VC but didn't know if it was the driver or amp. SVS shipped out both and asked me to return the originals after replacement. They paid shipping both ways. I also blew a fuse, but I still had the replaced amp and just swapped with it. I do tend to run may sub a little hot, OK, a lot hot. Haven't had a problem since.


Yeah it's got a yellow light on, none of the settings on the amp itself have been messed with since it was dialed in. My gut is telling me it's the driver, it's the easy thing to take apart on this thing so I may do that here pretty soon...might just give tech support a little time to respond to my email.

Atleast at face value the driver looks fine. I wonder, can you ohm something like that out to see if it's shorted out or does it work like that?

.......... it's the easy thing to take apart on this thing so I may do that here pretty soon...might just give tech support a little time to respond to my email.
I know it's hard to resist, but I'd wait until you hear from them before you start futzing with it.

Yeah it's got a yellow light on, none of the settings on the amp itself have been messed with since it was dialed in. My gut is telling me it's the driver, it's the easy thing to take apart on this thing so I may do that here pretty soon...might just give tech support a little time to respond to my email.

Atleast at face value the driver looks fine. I wonder, can you ohm something like that out to see if it's shorted out or does it work like that?The way I determined it was the VC was by putting an ohm meter across the leads. I suspected it should read 4 ohms, but as a coil it could just read some resistance (inductance) for a short time, then it will go towards zero as the DC induced field collapses. I could be wrong as I didn't try this with a known good speaker. Mine read as an open in all ranges. I am pretty sure it shouldn't do that.

I don't know on the PB10, but my power light is red in stand by and green when on. Does the power light turn green when you apply a signal? Or when you switch it from Auto to On?

The way I determined it was the VC was by putting an ohm meter across the leads. I suspected it should read 4 ohms, but as a coil it could just read some resistance (inductance) for a short time, then it will go towards zero as the DC induced field collapses. I could be wrong as I didn't try this with a known good speaker. Mine read as an open in all ranges. I am pretty sure it shouldn't do that.

I don't know on the PB10, but my power light is red in stand by and green when on. Does the power light turn green when you apply a signal? Or when you switch it from Auto to On?

The power light will turn green when it detects a signal in auto, and it will go to green when you switch it to always on.

We (me under direction of an SVS rep) narrowed it down to the driver.

First he had me check the Doh stuff like power cord, fuse, power on etc etc.

I suggested that I could remove the driver and test it with a meter and he directed me to using a regular house hold battery (I would have never thought of that) up against the terminals. I used a 9v with speaker wire secured to the driver and press it against the battery where nothing happened. To check my method I got out a passive sub woofer and it did exactly what Tom said it should do in the event it's working properly.



Now I'm waiting for another rep to email me to make arrangements for shipping a new driver to me. So far I would say the service is top notch, especially since this has all taken place over the internet and during a weekend.


I keep scratching my head wondering what could have made it go bad. I've never had the gain above half-way and felt like I had it dialed in correctly. I know one thing, these subs aren't built cheap if anyone ever had a doubt about that. Durability is a question for me now, but surely that was just a fluke thing. This driver that went bad looks in destructible...but some how it took a huge dump between me mowing my lawn and coming in and taking a shower.


What causes a VC to go bad usually?

While you have it apart, how about some pics of the enclosure/box?

While you have it apart, how about some pics of the enclosure/box?


Yeah I'll try to snap a few shots and post them. That box gets a great deal lighter without that 40lb driver. :rolleyes: I'm hoping once I put the new one in I''ll never have the pleasure of removing it again. That's a horrible feeling knowing the thing just died all the sudden without warning.

I used a 9v with speaker wire secured to the driver and press it against the battery where nothing happened.

it took a huge dump between me mowing my lawn and coming in and taking a shower.


What causes a VC to go bad usually?The only things I know that will open a VC is someone putting a battery across the leads or taking it into the shower with them. :)

My first SVS had the VC open up after one movie. It worked with no problems. The next weekend I started another movie and it was bad. And this was the DB12.2 driver. Could be one end of the VC came loose. At least SVS doesn't argue with you about the cause. They just send you a replacement.

I had an issue and the SVS customer service was double first class. No questions asked, replacements right away. I wish my other stuff had this kind of customer service :rolleyes:

Their customer service keeps me as a 1st class buyer.

Keep us updated. Good luck!

kw........

The only things I know that will open a VC is someone putting a battery across the leads or taking it into the shower with them. :)



So you're saying there's a chance? :eek:


This may sound like a dumb question but what exactly does the voice coil look like? Should I be able to see it by looking down behind the woofer? I can't see any obvious damage but a trained eye might be able to see something right away I suppose.

So you're saying there's a chance? :eek:


This may sound like a dumb question but what exactly does the voice coil look like? Should I be able to see it by looking down behind the woofer? I can't see any obvious damage but a trained eye might be able to see something right away I suppose.No. The VC is inside the magnets. If you were to force the diaphragm all the way outwards, you might get a peek at some of the VC. It is a coil of wire that the amplified signal is fed to. As an inductor, it created a magnetic field when AC is pumped through it. This field reacts to the permanent magnet's field and causes it to move away or towards it. A speaker works very much like an AC motor. Which is why it is referred to as the motor. But it is really closer to a solenoid in that it doesn't rotate but moves laterally.

Look here (http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/speaker.htm) to see how a speaker works.

I forgot to mention that to make a speaker that can go below 20 Hz, you need to add a flux capacitor. :)

Supposed to be sending out a new driver today according to tech support. I might be inclined to lay off the usage a little more in the future even though deep down I really can't see how and the heck I caused the problem.

These things happen, Hunter.

I swapped out an amp after running through a SVS directed diagnosis. They ship pretty fast too!

Supposed to be sending out a new driver today according to tech support. I might be inclined to lay off the usage a little more in the future even though deep down I really can't see how and the heck I caused the problem.
As long as your not overdriving your woofer, I would scratch it off as a faulty driver and enjoy. No need to lay off your usage.

It probably was not your fault the VC died. It could've been a weak spot in the wire and it broke. Think of it like getting a flat tire...sometimes they just pop, unless you know you ran over something which would be like overpowering the speaker and burning up the VC or amp or if it's possible on SVS subs...bottoming them out.

The wire used to make voice coils is pretty small and can be kind of fragile especially on some tweeters. It's pretty much a bare wire with a lacquer coating on it unlike speaker wire or electrical wire that has a thick rubber ot plastic type coating on it. The VC wire, if you do see it will probably have a reddish-copper color to it (typically).

Yeah I'll try to snap a few shots and post them. That box gets a great deal lighter without that 40lb driver. :rolleyes: It's about 20 pounds. This 12" (http://www.tcsounds.com/tc3000.htm) is about 40 pounds.

If you haven't pushed your sub to the limits where it could be damaged, it could be something as simple as the tinsel lead becoming disconnected. From the driver's terminals, there's some flexible wire that connects them to the voice coil. The connection to the voice coil is a fragile one. If the solder is not good or in the wrong place, it can break. It's no indication of quality though. These things just happen sometimes. Unfortunately, it's not something you can fix yourself.

-Robert

It's about 20 pounds. This 12" (http://www.tcsounds.com/tc3000.htm) is about 40 pounds.



-Robert


It might be closer to 20 pounds than 40 but the other day that dude felt pretty heavy. I'm a weak office admin...so 20 lbs often feels like 40. The pictures on the website don't do it justice I know that.


Already got the tracking number...so if it hasn't already shipped it will very soon. Thanks again SVS rep dudes, you won't find too many companies handling warranty claims over the internet during a weekend...I promise you that.

Thanks for all the replies...I was sick over this for about half a night saturday. I've been trying to stay positive and realize that I often sell products that require warranty work and as a business man I realize it's often nobodys fault. You try to sell people a product you would not hesitate to put in your own home...but like anything they'll be a bad one pop up every now and then.

*****************

This is giving me a chance to play with my PSB Alpha T1 towers I just bought, got them set to full range and the bass isn't too bad but no doubt I miss the sub in the room.


*****************

Does anyone ever elevate their sub off the floor? I was thinking of finding a real sturdy stand to get this thing up off the floor about 2 or 3 feet. I've seen some sub manufactures make poll mounts so I guess this is something people do. Is there any benifit to doing this? Probably more of a Pro Audio thing, just wasn't sure how much it's used in a HT setting. As heavy as it is I wouldn't think vibration would be a big concern so long as the mount could support it and not be flimsy in the process.

I know I'm going to be paranoid about this sub from here on out...don't even want me walking near it let alone someone else. I'm sure it was a fluke thing but still I'll be minding my P's and Q's from now on.

I've tortured my subs for nearly 2 years without a problem...it's just a fluke.

Does anyone ever elevate their sub off the floor? I was thinking of finding a real sturdy stand to get this thing up off the floor about 2 or 3 feet. I've seen some sub manufactures make poll mounts so I guess this is something people do. Is there any benifit to doing this? Probably more of a Pro Audio thing, just wasn't sure how much it's used in a HT setting. As heavy as it is I wouldn't think vibration would be a big concern so long as the mount could support it and not be flimsy in the process.

I know I'm going to be paranoid about this sub from here on out...don't even want me walking near it let alone someone else. I'm sure it was a fluke thing but still I'll be minding my P's and Q's from now on. Don't elevate it. That's just a pro audio thing to get the speakers above the crowd. Place it on the floor like the rest of us do. Also, go ahead a crank it after a proper calibration. It was a fluke that this happened. Nothing else. If you hold back, you will never know what that sub can really do.

If by chance this happens again, you may need a larger sub. Send a PM to Parboy from NLR and see if he will let you audition his monster sub (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8701446&&#post8701446).

-Robert

It lives!!!!!


Sorry forgot to get pictures of the inner workings of the SVS...not much to see really just a well built cabinent, cross braced, and an amp in the back...wrapped in pink insulation. Getting that woofer back in spot was a bit rough...it doesn't slide into place like the replacement instructions suggest...I finally figured out the trick was to gently as possible ease up on the outer rubber gasket (for lack of a better description) and line up the holes.

Either way I hope that's the last time I see the inside of that box.

4 days aint bad.. Very nice and good luck..

So far I would say the service is top notch, especially since this has all taken place over the internet and during a weekend.
I sent them an email yesterday. Still no response even though it's a week day. :(

I sent them an email yesterday. Still no response even though it's a week day. :(Then just send another. I get emails all day long. Some I have to defer and they wind up getting lost in the chaff. When I expect a quick response and don't get one, I just follow up with a second, or third before I start to get upset.

Going through the same scenario. Bought the SVS had it for 2 days and then poooooof nothing. Tech support was quick and the are sending a replacement as we speak.

Hunter844, who spends time at the woopig boards, and now Razorback_Fan has a bad sub. Is there a conspiracy against fans of the University of Arkansas sports teams?

-Robert (UofA class of '93 and not an SVS owner)

Hmmmmmmmmm :)

Hunter844, who spends time at the woopig boards, and now Razorback_Fan has a bad sub. Is there a conspiracy against fans of the University of Arkansas sports teams?

-Robert (UofA class of '93 and not an SVS owner)

Hunter844, who spends time at the woopig boards, and now Razorback_Fan has a bad sub. Is there a conspiracy against fans of the University of Arkansas sports teams?

-Robert (UofA class of '93 and not an SVS owner)
DON'T GET ME GOING....
We're 2nd best...always overshadowed by Texas all those years in the SWC and a lot of people in this state take that to heart in every day life even today I'm afraid. Nowadays we lose to Florida in the SEC championship game in both football and basketball, then lose to Vandy in the championship game in baseball. It's Little Mans Syndrome I guess we can't win for losing. We've got a football coach that runs off 5 star talent, texts another woman at odd hours of the night and even 20 minutes before a bowl game and during halftime all in the interest of charity of course. We've got a dead man walking for an athletic director that makes racial slur gafs every other sentence and makes poor decisions on who to hire and who to fire. In this state there are two kinds of Razorback fans. 1. People who hate all things incompetent (teh UA), can't stand losing (especially big games) and watching others so easily accept our 2nd tier status. 2. Hayseed customers that take every word handed down from the UA as if it were the word of god.

CONSPIRACY?

There are plenty of examples but none of which have anything to do with my being a fan of a college sports program as it relates to me being a customer of SVS. Surely those guys aren't sending out the "bad ones" to the hicks in Arkansas...right? :confused:

Robert? Did you just sent it back or something invoking your 45 day return policy? I thought about it but decided to stick with it because of the excellent service...and I really didn't want to lift that big bastard again...EVAR.

DON'T GET ME GOING.... One of the reasons I only went to the woopig board once. Too much hatorade. If I had any college sports eligibility left and could get my 38 year old body into shape, I'd love to play for coach Nutt.

Robert? Did you just sent it back or something invoking your 45 day return policy? I have never owned an SVS. But I have owned drivers that were designed and hand built by the SVS driver designer, Stephen Ponte. I'm strictly DIY when it comes to speakers and subs.

-Robert

So, the question I have to ask is, were you mowing your lawn with the SVS...?

:D

So, the question I have to ask is, were you mowing your lawn with the SVS...?

:D

No but some of those DIY guys could whip up an outdoor sub that would kill everything in a 50 yard radius. :eek:


**************

Robert I got you confused with the other guy that said his sub died...my bad.

It lives!!!!!


Sorry forgot to get pictures of the inner workings of the SVS...not much to see really just a well built cabinent, cross braced, and an amp in the back...wrapped in pink insulation. Getting that woofer back in spot was a bit rough...it doesn't slide into place like the replacement instructions suggest...I finally figured out the trick was to gently as possible ease up on the outer rubber gasket (for lack of a better description) and line up the holes.

Either way I hope that's the last time I see the inside of that box.

Glad you got the replacement woofer quickly and your PB10-NSD is thumping again. :) As others have stated, it was likely a broken lead somewhere between the binding posts and the VC. No need to hold back on the PB10-NSD - it's a rugged sub with limiters to protect it from being overdriven. Just calibrate the system and subwoofer and fire away.


Originally Posted by Pete7874
I sent them an email yesterday. Still no response even though it's a week day.

Then just send another. I get emails all day long. Some I have to defer and they wind up getting lost in the chaff. When I expect a quick response and don't get one, I just follow up with a second, or third before I start to get upset.

Hi Pete - Randy is giving solid advice here. Our standard is a 24 hour TAT on emails to Sales. Usually the reply is much quicker. Sometimes notes get spammed, or sent to the wrong addy, or just vanish into cyberspace, or even get spammed/rejected at the customer's end and we have no way of contacting them because they didn't leave a phone number - we've seen it all.

If you don't get a response within 24 hours, just resend along with an explanation you've sent it once already and include your phone number so we can call you if needed.