Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions 'Clapping' sound from EP350 v3

Hi all,

Hope you can assist before I call them at the office in the morning. I have a 2.5 year old setup includes M60s,150,QS8 & EP350.

I was watching UP on bluray earlier on and all was fine. During the thunderstorm scene all of a sudden there was a loud bang/'pop' (may have been in the movie though ) and then the sub started making a really horrible noise which I can only describe as a clapping/rattling type noise as if the cone was loose. This noise can be heard now when ever alot of LFE is happening!

Doesn't sound good, right? Any ideas?

A call to Axiom is in order. Sounds like a bad driver.

Yup, sounds like a physical problem with the driver. Definitely call Axiom.

Thank you both for the speedy replies. I took a video so you could hear it but it would have to be the time when youtube is performing maintenance so I can't upload it right away., I'll reply with the link later and also when I call them tomorrow. Thanks again

Welcome to the forums keithd.

Blu-ray can have a lot of dynamic range and demanding LFE. I am not familiar with the UP blu-ray though. I would first check your settings in your receiver, particularly your subwoofer pre-out level in your receiver ( I wouldn't have it set past +4). This can be set too high and can issues such as you are experiencing - sending a distorted signal which is causing the flapping/rattling/clapping.

This issue can also be caused by loose screws securing the driver, amp or even having a defective driver like which has been previously mentioned.

Good luck and keep us posted.

It is possible you were running the sub to "hot" as we call it, and overworked the driver during that specific scene. Was the sub calibrated with the other speakers to the same SPL? Anyway, the answer as the others have noted would be to call Axiom.

doesn't sound good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsPQalH__Ug

Sounds like you bottomed the driver causing some dammage.

I clicked on some of the other links that came up and holy sh@t this one goes LOW.... make sure your volume is down low.

I was in my computer area beside my ht room and when bass goes under 20hz (if memory serves) it vibrates the ceiling and furnace room like crazy.

I would like to hear how the EP800 does with this yikes!

Nice.

That movie is probably too demanding for the EP350. Now it sounds those scenes were overdriving the subwoofer causing port noise or even the bottoming out of the driver.

I would try some different movies that you know have some LFE and never caused these sounds before to determine if it is the movie or that if the subwoofer driver is damaged. The sub should not make a loud bang or pop either at anytime.

@ Dr House why thank you. Having not had any distortion previous to this and had the pre out level set to -2 i'm guessing pre out isnt the problem. Also the video is just an audio cd that I knew had a lot of bass in it so I was able to record the noise, I should have mentioned the 'clapping' isn't specific to that Bluray

@sirquack I believe it was as I used the calibration mic originally with all speakers & sub attached.

@fredk weird how was able to bottom out the driver this time having had no probs for 2.5 years!

There are a couple of things you can check to see what the driver damage might be.
1. Try gently pushing on the dustcap to see if the driver moves freely or if there is any scraping.

2. Check to see if the surround has separated from the frame anyshere.

Hi fredk

1. Pushing gentle on the centre of the dustcap results in free movement, however gentle pushing off centre or near the edges results in a scraping noise!!!

2. Surround and frame are intact.

Yup, that's a damaged woofer. Have you contacted Axiom?

keithd,

That "scraping noise" you experienced is a common symptom of a damaged driver. You are going to have to call them to arrange a replacement woofer being sent to you. The toll free number is 1-866-244-8796.

And it should be covered under warranty as you said it is only 2.5 yrs old.

Thanks kcarlile/dr house/jakewash/fredk and everyone who helped out

Just got off the phone with them and they are putting a driver in the post today to me \o/

Their Cust Serv does rock.

Sweet!

Glad to hear, let us know if it does indeed fix your problem.

She's dun blowed up!

Blow'd up real good!

Yup, Blowed up good AND replaced by great cutomer service.

I would suggest that you take care to level match your sub to your mains so you don't over drive the sub again. You could always buy a second one to enhance that rumbly experience.

Or a bigger sub that reaches lower(EP800 anyone?) to really enhance that rumbly feel.

Is there a significant other involved? Might as well go for two EP800s and make you stay in the doghouse worth while...

Both! A significant other and a dog so I'll be in the doghouse on my own as the dog would get up and leave with 2 x EP800s

That must be one big dog you have there.