Audio Experts: Subs No Longer Working

[BootyDo]

Hello,

I've run into a problem that's just baffled me completely. After working just fine, my subwoofers no longer are receiving a signal from my amp.

Currently, I have a Sony Xplod 760W amp connected to two Sony Xplod 12" woofers, (800W). While everything was working, one day I heard an "umph" and things just stopped. But the music wasn't loud at all and I was slowing down to turn. I figured the amp had just lurched forward or something and a wire came loose.

After reviewing all the wires, I went ahead and bought new RCA wires, new speaker wire, and some new wire connectors. No dice. I even just hooked everything up to a 3rd 12" sub by itself without any luck.

Does anyone know what might be causing this?

The head unit is only 3 months old. Additionally, when the subs did *work*, I was only able to get them to operate properly by hooking up 1 RCA to the amp, (while both were connected to the head unit). Also, the Amp power indicator is lighting up properly and does indicate any sort of issue.

I'm just stumped...

 

[jluv]

Sounds like your amp. The outputs could be jacked and the indicator lights would still tell you everything is fine.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but your best option is to scrap all of the Sony Xplod stuff and start over.

 

[BootyDo]

You think it's the products and not the hookup?

 

[KPT]

Try a different amp.

Sony electronics are junk. It probably just died.

 

[jluv]

You think it's the products and not the hookup?

Well, you said this:

After reviewing all the wires, I went ahead and bought new RCA wires, new speaker wire, and some new wire connectors. No dice.

If you doubt your own work, take it to a shop. Don't expect them to be easy on you though. Most shops hate fixing someone else's mess.

I still would be inclined to blame the equipment. No offense, but Sony Xplod is pretty much bottom of the barrel.

 

[BootyDo]

No offense taken man. I kind of thought that when I bought them a few years back. The only thing I did really like was the amp. But it was a freebie from my brother so I guess I can't really complain much

I have an old 200W Jensen sitting around. I think I'd like to give that a go before taking it to someone. I far from an expert, but I think I'd stand behind the wiring - and now wires.

Thanks!

 

[Cstoliker]

Jensen’s are not much better but if it works I guess that makes it 100% better then what you got now.

It did not use to be like this. I have some old Sony amps (pre xplod) and they are very well built and one of the few amps I tested that actually exceeded factory specs on output. Nowadays you’re lucky to get half.

 

[Infinity08]

Sony still makes some good amps, you just won't see them in the US. Their XPLOD line has been a failure since its inception. The old Mobile ES was, and still is, awesome stuff.

 

[Cstoliker]

The old Sony’s I have I think are XM series. (My summer car witch in is storage now)
http://www.cstoliker.com/Cutlass/index.html
I bought them way back when I was in High school. Still work great. In fact the one I have been bridged in to 2 ohm for years with no problem even though the spec’s say it is only bridgeable in to 8.

 

[Infinity08]

The old Sony’s I have I think are XM series. (My summer car witch in is storage now)
http://www.cstoliker.com/Cutlass/index.html
I bought them way back when I was in High school. Still work great. In fact the one I have been bridged in to 2 ohm for years with no problem even though the spec’s say it is only bridgeable in to 8.

Nice Olds!

 

[Cstoliker]

Thanks, I can finally just about afford to dive it again. It gets 8Mpg! and is hi compression 11:1 (does not like 87 octane). Gas finally drooped below $2/gal and its middle of winter!