Will magnet from subwoofer affect nearby PS3

I doubt it will hurt it at all. Heck, I have a mammoth 18" subwoofer sitting right next to my extremely dusty computer and WD external HDD (on top). Its been like this for about 7 months. So far, I haven't had a single issue. And as we all know, the PS3 is a computer. So if this wouldn't hurt my comp at the distance, then your PS3 should be fine.

The big black thing to the left of the comp is the box for my Gemini. Total distance of pretty large magnet to computer...probably less than 6 inches.

Um ya DO NOT do that. That guy that posted above me does not know what he is talking about. The reason why you should that put electronics next to subs is because of the magnet. The magnet can cause some of the data in the hard drive to get erased. That would cause problems. Hard drives use magnets to read and write things to them. So you do not want another large magnet next to it disrupting things. Though it might take a while to see any errors on the PS3.

Dunno but I have my Xbox 360 next to my Svs subs and my my Ascends 170se speaker. Probably @8" away. No problems Had the Xbox360 @ 1+ yrs

Its still a bad idea.

It's not the best thing to do.. Better safe than lose your whole porn collection.

a magnet will only affect it if they are right next to each other, a good foot or more away from is probably the best.

I've had my 360 on top of my sub for about a week. No problems here.

Same here. Two PB10-NSD's stacked about a foot from my 360 - no problems (well, other than two 360's dying already, but those were RROD and optical drive mechanical issues, not hard drive magnet related issues ).

Since there is a hard drive in the PS3 that contains data that is stored magentically, it is best to keep any sources of strong magnetic field at least a couple of feet away from it.

I read in a computer mag that magnets effecting hard drives data is a myth, but I would still rather be safe than sorry when it comes to my data.

Most subs are shielded anyways so you'll be fine.

Probably doesn't matter too much really. Since subwoofer magnets are still using Ferrite magnets, which are actually pretty weak. Thats why they have to be so big in order to dish out the power. And even then, while the magnetic 'field' is still generated near it (like around CRT monitors) its not nearly powerful enough of a drag to cause any harm to a HDD.

But with a Neodymium magnet (HDD magnet of choice ), you could have a 200lb ferrite sub magnet lumped down into a 5lb neodymium magnet and probably have twice or thrice the power with the neo. But problem with neodymium magnets, is while they are EXTREMELY powerful, they are vulnerable to heat. Too much heat = dead magnet. Which is why subs don't use them, but a lot of tweeters do, since not much heat is generated with them.

My point is, sub magnets really don't have much pull except in their 'sweet spot' outside that is a mild field of magnetism, hardly powerful enough to skew the data written by a Neodymium HDD magnet.

BTW, these two puppies can lift over 40lbs each...not bad for being a little less than a inch long and 1/4 of a inch thick. (grade N40)




And see this thing...it has 800lbs of pull force...800 lbs!!! (linky just scroll down to the supermagnets part)


If you were in the middle of a 20x20 room full of computers...this thing would probably be powerful enough to wipe clean every HDD in the entire area....and maybe even drag them towards you.

I use the logitech x530 set on this pc.. When I first got this computer I hooked up the speaker system and put the subwoofer next to my pc case on the floor.. To make a long story short I installed windows multiple times kept getting blue screens errors etc.. Moved the pc case away from the sub smooth sailing after that.

leukoplast is correct !

The magnets used in woofers are too weak,reason being the woofer's magnetic structure is at some distance from the side wall and from there the magnetic field is TOO WEAK TO CAUSE any damage to a hard drive.

The so called supermagnets ...ho ho here we are looking at a megnetic concentration several times higher.These are bad news.

Plus the huge subs(large cabinets) will place the magnetic structure too far from any possible ill effect.

Even JL Audio's Fathom subs...they have seriously huge magnets,caused ZERO damage ,I have by "mistake" placed my HTPC on top of one. No data loss,still better place a computer or hard drive equipped gaming console away from larger magnets.

Better be safe than sorry,ot wonder what if.

If the subs goes into standby it consumes very little(around 5W),a sub that is ON all the time may consume under 50W. As the amps used today are BASH type or other switching amps. Worst case it is close to 100W ,the subs using A/B class amps.

Very few consume more with no signal to amplify.

I had my PS3 on top of a 12" subwoofer for a few days. I thought it made a nice place to sit it. Then I started getting an error with the PS3 not being able to read discs. Then I remembered that the magnets could affect hard drive. Maybe realized to late, or maybe just coincidence. I'll let you know if Sony tells me.

Hmmm I guess the financial institute I work for is screwed because we've been destroying drives with. Electromagnets for years......

I agree that it's probably not strong enough to hurt your PS3, it takes quite a strong magnet to hurt a HDD...upgrade to SSD and call it a day