Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Sub rattle

I've noticed when setting the speaker levels using the tone from my
receiver, I hear a rattle coming from the sub's driver. Its almost like
the basket is not fully attached to the rubber surround.
I've never noticed it when playing any heavy bass, but then I've never
gotten the full effect from LFE I've expected.
Is this common?

Are you sure it isn't just the housing? I have heard of a few boxes that have had some rattles.

At first I thought it might be a cord or something in the component stand
next to it. But no, I took off the grill and it was pretty clearly comming
from the driver.

Which sub? Does it sound like some small pebbles rattling in there?

Mojo, he has EP500 in his sig.

Ok. Does it sound like small pebbles rattling?

Time to call Axiom.

The sound is more like a window rattling.
I tried the "War Of The Worlds"pod emerging scene
and did hear it in the more intense spots.
But I don't notice in bass heavy music.

Try putting a "weight" on top of your 500. Just make sure you put a thick towel on your 500 before doing so. I've since put a towel under mine since the beaver was shuffling around too much.

I have the beaver (about 15lbs) shown below on top of my 600. On really demanding scenes like the depth charge scene in U-571 or the pod emerging scene in WOTW, the beaver prevents the "rattling" resonance that I hear.

The 600 (and I imagine the 500) are not infallible. If you put on tracks 6 or 7 of Plastikman: Closer, you will hear what some that have heard my 600 describe as "basket noises". However, I tried playing the same tracks on a Hsu VTF-3 and not only was half the bass missing, the chuffing noise out of the twin ports was awful. And my Sony was a different tale all together as I could smell the amp cooking and could hear the driver's motor structure bottoming out.

Finally, make sure that it isn't your room (or a window) rattling.

Nobody has asked you about your calibration settings. It is possible your running the sub to hot. Have you calibrated everything to 75dB? Do you have an SPL meter from Radio Shack?

If you have the volume on the sub cranked to high, AND have the receiver sub dB levels to high, the woofer will really work hard.

Or, it could just be the port rattling, or something on the back amp panel. I had a rattle once in a 500 I owned, and if I applied preassure with my fingers on the back of the amp plate, the noise went away.