Help! Subwoofer seemingly died

[rsaavedra]

I've been recently listening to the Senn 650's a lot, and today I switched back to speakers for a change. Just realized my subwoofer, a Paradigm PDR-12, seemingly is dead. Last time I used it (about a week or less ago) it was working perfectly. It's easy to notice when it's working not just because of the low freqs., there's a tiny amber led in the front that lights up when it has any input signal. That led is completely dead now, nothing lights it up, and for sure the sub is producing absolutely no sound.

Already checked speaker sizes in the receiver, sub set to on, changed the sub cable, even connected it using the speaker level inputs and using the speaker outs of the receiver, instead of the line level connection, tested power outlet, tried everything but nope, seemingly the sub is completely dead. Is it possible that a fuse blew up inside?

I don't have another sub right now to make sure the sub output of the receiver is working fine though. But I think that should be ok, after all speaker level outputs of the receiver for sure are ok, and the sub doesn't respond to those either.

 

[rsaavedra]

Was thinking about opening the sub to check for a fuse, but thought about the warranty. Checked the dates, in fact it's still within the 3 year warranty. Will call the local Paradigm dealer Monday. To be continued...

 

[Len]

It does sound like a blown fuse is a definitely possibility. Hopefully, that's it since it's a quickie fix. There's a lot of other things that could've gone wrong, making it impossible to ID the problem.

BTW, I'm kinda surprised the fuse isn't accessible outside.

 

[rsaavedra]

Yes the PDR-12 has a simple rear control panel: phase knob, volume knob, line level in, and speaker level ins, that's it, well a heat sink and the power cord entering the panel. No fuse socket visible at all. The unit features auto power on, so there's not even a power switch anywhere.

 

[rsaavedra]

After emailing Paradigm's Tech Support inquiring about my PDR-12 and its warranty, I was told to take it to the local dealer where it can get serviced specially for minor repairs (e.g. fuse). If the repair cannot be done there, the dealer will ship my sub to Paradigm for repair. Fortunately, all under the 3 year warranty. Today I left it at the local dealer.

 

[gsferrari]

I dont know about everyone else but I generally unplug all my electronic equipment whenever there is a storm or bad weather of any sort. I have lost too many hard drives to power surges.

Is your sub connected to a power conditioner?

Cheers!

 

[rsaavedra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsferrari I dont know about everyone else but I generally unplug all my electronic equipment whenever there is a storm or bad weather of any sort. I have lost too many hard drives to power surges. Is your sub connected to a power conditioner? Cheers!

Yes Guru, to an Acoustic Research line conditioner. An inexpensive one though ($20 in Best buy). TV and receiver are connected to a Monster HT700, and my two players (Toshiba and NS500V) are powered by an Ultimate Outlet. All of them work perfectly. The Ultimate Outlet specifically has a red light on the back that goes on if its 1 amp fast blow fuse was blown. The light is off so fuse is perfectly ok. But the AR conditioner is plugged into a power outlet let's say X, Monster and the Ultimate Outlet are plugged into another power outlet Y in my apartment, and not sure if these X and Y are in different circuits, haven't checked that.

If I remember well, the week before or around the time I noticed the sub wasn't working there were some lighting storms here though, related to Tropical Storm Bonnie that was getting near. Still weird a surge would damage the sub with no stress sign in the conditioners. Wonder if that conditioner can let a small amount of surge pass through that though small can blow the sub's fuse.