Large subwoofer next to my home theater equipment = problems?

[rocko1290]

I will have a 15" subwoofer pretty soon that I am building (which hits 117 db), and it will sit next to my entertainment unit which has/will have a Toshiba HD-A1, my computer, my 360, a PS3, a Wii, my receiver, and my DISH Network ViP622 DVR, and an equalizer. Many of the things I just mentioned have HD's in them. Can the subwoofer damage my equipment? My DVR specifically says "This product contains a Hard Drive which can be damaged by shock or vibration"

Do I have anything to worry about?

[SteveCallas]

I wouldn't worry about the vibration - however, beefy subwoofer drivers have powerful magnets. Make sure the magnetic field doesn't interfere with that other equipment.

[Chaosphere482]

I wouldn't worry about damaging your equipment. However, my subwoofer at times has caused my DVD player to skip due to the vibrations from loud explosions. Something to be aware of. I put a small towel underneath it and have had no problems since.

[ak3883]

Have you guys ever heard of a subwoofer damaging VHS tapes due to magnetic interference? I can put it to the left or right of my TV unit over towards the corners behind the speakers. One side is close to my storage unit for VHS/DVDs and the HTPC, the other corner is a few feet from the A/V rack with all the components on it. It's more out of the way over by the tapes, it would be a couple feet from them.

Not talking very large one, 8'' 100W nominal power.

[ransac]

I have set VHS tapes on my sub (dual12" driver) with no problem. Just keep them a couple feet away and you'll be fine. But then, maybe you should put them right near the speaker so you can get rid of VHS.

[Paul_PDX]

Rear projection tvs and front projectors probably shouldn't be put too close to your sub for fear of early lamp failures from the vibrations.

[tuskenraider]

My SVS PB2+ will discolor the pic and mess up the convergence on my Sony RPTV if its too close(within a foot or so).

[JimP]

Originally Posted by ak3883

Have you guys ever heard of a subwoofer damaging VHS tapes due to magnetic interference? I can put it to the left or right of my TV unit over towards the corners behind the speakers. One side is close to my storage unit for VHS/DVDs and the HTPC, the other corner is a few feet from the A/V rack with all the components on it. It's more out of the way over by the tapes, it would be a couple feet from them.

Not talking very large one, 8'' 100W nominal power.

I've not heard of anyone saying anything about it. Then again, I haven't heard VHS on this forum for a couple of years either.

It probably is going to depend on the size of the magnet, the shielding, distances.

That said, a sub with a 8" driver shouldn't be that much of a threat over 2 or 3 feet away.

[UPressure]

When I first set up my HT, I had skips on my CD player when playing at moderately high volume. I resolved it by using a cheapo DIY dampening solution under the equipment.
Now that I also have a PVR and HTPC in the same area, I wonder what if anything is happening to the hard drive heads from the LF acoustic impulses.

[sprung2]

Any euquipment with a hard drive could be affected by the static electrical field of a speaker. I'd keep those type of equipment away plus any video equipment with electron guns or shadow masks. Otherwise, your'e a ok.

[Targus]

Originally Posted by Paul_PDX

Rear projection tvs and front projectors probably shouldn't be put too close to your sub for fear of early lamp failures from the vibrations.

Why, what would happen to the bulb? There's no filament to break.

Any euquipment with a hard drive could be affected by the static electrical field of a speaker.

Then it's a good thing that speakers don't produce static electrical fields.

[ransac]

Originally Posted by Targus

Why, what would happen to the bulb? There's no filament to break.

The vibrations can cause the three guns to go out of proper alignment.

Originally Posted by Targus

Then it's a good thing that speakers don't produce static electrical fields.

But they do produce electro-magnetic fields.

[sprung2]

Originally Posted by Targus

Then it's a good thing that speakers don't produce static electrical fields.

oops! non-changing magnetic field would be accurate. Walked right into that one.

[Targus]

But they do produce electro-magnetic fields.

Which is fortunately contained within the magnet poles.

[sprung2]

But what's not in dispute is that a speaker's magnetic field could corrupt data on a harddrive.

[Pradeep]

Very unlikely, as the strength of the field is inversely proportional to the distance.

I doubt even an Ultra sitting directly on top of a hard drive would affect it. Hmm, something to check when I have way too much time on my hands...

[Paul_PDX]

[quote=Targus]Why, what would happen to the bulb? There's no filament to break.

Some of the least expensive units still use tungsten based bulbs (with filaments), however even the mainstream arc based MH bulbs with no filaments can suffer exlposive failures and strong vibrations while hot could supposedly aggravate that.
(At least every projector manual I have read warns against exposing the projector to areas prone to excessive physical vibrations).

[Juan]

I have my subs next to my components and I have had no problems with my DVD skipping or my TV needing the convergance redone more often than normal.. You can see the subs in this picture to the right.

[sprung2]

Originally Posted by Pradeep

Very unlikely, as the strength of the field is inversely proportional to the distance.

I doubt even an Ultra sitting directly on top of a hard drive would affect it. Hmm, something to check when I have way too much time on my hands...

Maybe for traditional sub speakers, but have you seen these monsters: http://www.tcsounds.com/tc5200.htm.
Aren't these what the DiY croud are using now?