Possible Problem with SUB-12

[HAMP]

Hey Guys, I figured out the problem. You were right there is a malfunction issue here.
I’ll explain how I figured it out. I went to anther forum (Klipsch) and they really shoved it down my throat my set-up was in correct.

Someone made a statement of:
“ if the receiver is set to pass only 80 Hz (or lower) to the sub-12 then it should sound the same if the sub-12 is set to ANYTHING 80Hz or higher.“


I know that’s what you guys have been saying, but it had me thinking. I decided to turn the knob the other way. It sounded nearly the same or just a tad bit better, I know maybe more testing to really catch what’s been missing.

If you look at the dial, even if the number are reversed 80Hz would be 80Hz. 40Hz would be 120Hz and of course the 120Hz would really be 40Hz.

The dial does turn clockwise from left to right with the number starting from 40 – 120.

I’m thinking polarity might be reversed.

I decided to call Klipsch support and explain everything to them from all the forum info and testing. The Rep ask the S/N and found out that the subs were built around the same time from the same batch. They are in process of sending me two amps to replace inside my subs.

The Rep hasn’t decided if they want these two back for testing to find the problem or not.


********** If anyone is wondering, this started with another THREAD with post number 13.... That Thread was Hi-jacked so I created this one ******

[Big Daddy]

I knew something wasn't right with your setup.

In the meantime, order a couple of subwoofer cables (RG6, double or quad shield) of appropriate length. Do not use standard RCA cables. They create too much hum when you touch them or move them. You can buy reasonably-priced digital RCA cables from Home Depot or you can buy them online from Monoprice.com

[HAMP]

I don't have the hum problem. I do have a nice subwoofer cable from monoprice. It's the Y-Splitter and from the Splitter that's kinda cheap.

I need to get better wire of that. Reason they are cheap, I was just testing the dual input with possible 3db of more power.

It worked and I actually forgot to get better Y-splitter and extension to the sub. Didn't have any hum, bass was fine as far as I could tell.

[aramis109]

Well, I'm glad you figured out the problem. I was guessing something was wack as well somewhere in the chain. Kinda weird that you got ahold of two of them that were both like that though!

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by HAMP

I’m thinking polarity might be reversed.

I decided to call Klipsch support and explain everything to them from all the forum info and testing. The Rep ask the S/N and found out that the subs were built around the same time from the same batch. They are in process of sending me two amps to replace inside my subs.

The Rep hasn’t decided if they want these two back for testing to find the problem or not.

Dude, that is really weird. Guess I better check mine...

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Kinda weird that you got ahold of two of them that were both like that though!

Makes me wonder if having them hooked up wrong had something to do with them crapping out?? Either that, or klipsch is building some crap subs???

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Blu_Ray_Fan

Makes me wonder if having them hooked up wrong had something to do with them crapping out?? Either that, or klipsch is building some crap subs???

hahahaha!!! They didn't break! The numbers are reversed.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Kinda weird that you got ahold of two of them that were both like that though!

I bought them at the sametime! The Rep told me they were from the same batch or batch number.. The serial numbers were close.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by HAMP

I bought them at the sametime! The Rep told me they were from the same batch or batch number.. The serial numbers were close.

Still, that means they're churning out ones that're made wrong. IMO they should be working on a recall for that kind of screw-up.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Still, that means they're churning out ones that're made wrong. IMO they should be working on a recall for that kind of screw-up.

I was thinking the same thing. Believe it or not, I really wouldn't want to part with them. I am enjoying the new settings now, I am hearing some different level's of bass that are sounding smoother. It was more felt then heard.

I haven’t played anything I am really familiar with yet, more then likely play some stuff I have demo'ed for other's

But

Something should be done about it, besides sending me amp's to replace.

[Kev1080P]

how long ago did you get yours? i bought mine about 1.5 months ago...hopefully mine is not from your batch

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Kev1080P

how long ago did you get yours? i bought mine about 1.5 months ago...hopefully mine is not from your batch

Almost a year ago. Bought them from Best-Buy back in Feb '08

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

Dude, that is really weird. Guess I better check mine...

Your the person I thought about and couldn't remember the name. You have two of them also and I remember you saying you have the Hz turned all the way up and your not getting any serious bass.

Read this from the Manual:

For optimum performance, place your subwoofer in a corner of the room on the same wall as your front channel speakers.(refer to Figures 1 and 2).
Please note that room placement can have a dramatic effect upon the performance of your powered subwoofer. Corner placement, as suggested above, will increase the amount of bass output, while placing the subwoofer along the middle of a wall, or out in the room will decrease the amount of bass output. Experiment with a number of different placement options and control settings to find the one that best suits your particular room and taste.

[haste]

mine seems to be labeled and/or wired correctly.

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

SuperCube FTW! HaHa! I'm glad you got it figured out and it's no costing you anything! I want another SC1 but they are $1100 I think. No money for that right now after x-mas!

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by HAMP

Your the person I thought about and couldn't remember the name. You have two of them also and I remember you saying you have the Hz turned all the way up and your not getting any serious bass.

Read this from the Manual:

For optimum performance, place your subwoofer in a corner of the room on the same wall as your front channel speakers.(refer to Figures 1 and 2).
Please note that room placement can have a dramatic effect upon the performance of your powered subwoofer. Corner placement, as suggested above, will increase the amount of bass output, while placing the subwoofer along the middle of a wall, or out in the room will decrease the amount of bass output. Experiment with a number of different placement options and control settings to find the one that best suits your particular room and taste.

Actually, I did that when I had them in my living room (a much larger space, which is why I bought two) and had mixed results. I finally got decent performance when I had them with the ports facing the front corners, about two feet from the wall - I have a slanted ceiling, wave propagation is just bizarre in there. Sat on the couch looking at it, it's all good, then I went to adjust the angle on the right rear surround and the volume boomed up something fierce - it was much louder there. And it was all reflected sound, just horrible.

So I threw in the towel, went out and bought the JL Audio, and just brute-forced it in there.

I moved the SUB-12's into the family room, an open area that's almost impossible to get decent placement in (I promise to get pictures up by tomorrow) and one of the amps promptly gave out. Just dead. So BB replaced the amp (they were only about six weeks old) and they've been good since then.

They're actually by our Mom & Pop seats, almost like Buttkickers, but again, decent placement is horrible. I'm building up my custom passives to sit in a TV alcove, under the set, can't put the Klipsch's there because of port placement.

So one, or both, is going to my youngest after he gets back from Kuwait. I like them, but they're probably best in a room with a lower ceiling, and smaller in size.

My oldest has all Klipsch, including this sub, in a small place he got, and it sounds terrific - and not pushed hard, either. I like the SQ, at medium volume, it's a good sub. You just need to find the right spot for it, if it exists in your home.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

My oldest has all Klipsch, including this sub, in a small place he got, and it sounds terrific - and not pushed hard, either. I like the SQ, at medium volume, it's a good sub. You just need to find the right spot for it, if it exists in your home.

Wow!!.. So you do like the sound they put out, the way your son has it with medium volume and not pushed hard? That's how I have mine also, it's just not doing it for you in that size/shape room?

I glad I found out my problem was the reversed numbers with the Hz. Do you know what settings your son as his sub's? If they are at 80 or 120Hz

[Kev1080P]

i have mine set at 80 on both the sub and the receiver, is that what you do Hamp?

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

Originally Posted by Kev1080P

i have mine set at 80 on both the sub and the receiver, is that what you do Hamp?

The sub should be set at the highest setting if your receiver is performing the x-over duties.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Kev1080P

i have mine set at 80 on both the sub and the receiver, is that what you do Hamp?

Well that's what started all of this. I had my receiver set @ 80Hz and the subs set @ 80Hz. That's wrong

They sounded fine to me, people have told me to try and leave the receiver @ 80Hz and turn the subs all the way up to 120Hz. By doing this, mine sounded terrible. Reason it sounded terrible, I come to find out that the numbers are reversed on my subs.

Since the numbers were reversed by turning it to 120, I really was turning it to 40hz. Thus it sounded bad



It should be:
Receiver: 80Hz
Subs: 120Hz

The problem is make sure if you have the Klipsch Sub12, test to make sure that the numbers are not reversed.

I had:
Receiver: 80Hz
Subs: 80Hz

Even if the numbers were reversed 80hz was still 80hz, becasue it was at the top of the knob.