A subwoofer is like a valuable part of a home theater. However, home theaters can work without one. With a subwoofer, you will be able to get an amazing sound. Nothing works as great as a subwoofer to lift your home theater experience. But what will happen if you ever face any problem with your subwoofer or notice any malfunctioning? You may also ask if it could possibly be fixed or not? So how can you get to know if your home theater subwoofer is blown?
You can test your subwoofer with a low volume. If it is distorted, then you have a blown or partially blown subwoofer. If there is no sound at all, then the subwoofer has been completely blown. You can also check your cable if you think that’s the issue before making any conclusions.
Subwoofers can be blown when they either receive too much power or too much of a distorted signal. You can easily find out that your subwoofer is blown by listening to the sound or reviewing the woofer’s movement. You can also use a multimeter to find out if the coil is blown.
If you want to test the movement of your woofer, you’ll want to remove the cover to reach the cone. In that case, you have to move the cone to evaluate the damage carefully. Signs that your subwoofer is damaged:
- If you do not notice any movement, then it is really damaged.
- If it is extra shaky, this is also a sign of damage.
- If you hear any scratching sounds from your subwoofer, then it is blown.
- Moreover, you can rather use a multimeter to test for a blown coil. (A multimeter measures the amount of voltage, resistance, and current) so that you can find out if there is a lack of electrical resistance.
If you are already undergoing any of these signs, then you might be having a blown subwoofer. But if you notice that, at first, you will want to assess the situation completely. You have to understand what kind of damage happened to your subwoofer, and then you have to determine what you need to do next.
What Happens When a Subwoofer Blows?
Suppose you are enjoying your home theater system, but suddenly one day, something happens with your low-end sound. It may get very soft, or the sound starts to get distorted. Or you may do not hear any sound from the low-end at all, or it starts to sound very unfamiliar and extra loud. Whatever happens, it is making you think that your subwoofer is blown. You can be frustrated because the subwoofer is like a valuable part of a home theater.
When your subwoofer gets damaged or blown to some degree, this can happen because of two things. Those are your subwoofer either received too much power or too much signal. Many subwoofers have been damaged because of the Clipped signals. If you put too much pressure on your subwoofer with too much power, that can also damage it.
Clipped or Distorted Signals
If you turn up a signal that is distorted, that can also damage your subwoofer. Clipped or distorted signals are really harmful to your subwoofer. Sometimes you will not even notice that your signal is distorted until the levels go so high and it starts to distort and damage your subwoofer.
Too Much Power
Sometimes a subwoofer is blown is due to too much power. Though a lot of sounds can be exciting and enjoyable, a subwoofer can only handle so much. If you push your subwoofer to go beyond its power limits so that you can get more sound can result in damage.
Even though subwoofers are skillfully created to resist more power than their specified RMS (root mean square) ratings, also known as continuous power handling, it is still important to make sure the sound is clear and distortion-free at extra high volumes. You should know your subwoofer RMS wattage to ensure that you are supplying the valid amount of power to your subwoofer continuously.
Different Ways to Test if a Subwoofer is Blown
When you start noticing that there is a probability that a subwoofer in your home theater has been blown, you should fully assess the woofer to determine the total amount of damage that already happened. Damage can happen in more than one place. So you have to find out all the damaged parts carefully. Here are the three main ways to test if a subwoofer is blown.
- Test the sound. Is it clipping, distorted, etc.?
- Test the movement of the cone.
- You can also use a multimeter to inquire about electrical resistance.
In this article, you can learn the exact way to perform these tests without further damaging the possibly inadequate subwoofer. So keep reading.
Test the Sound
You can notice the sound to determine how much your subwoofer has already been damaged because sound quality works like an indicator. Most of the time, what you will hear during a fully blown or partially blown subwoofer are:
No sound at all – if you do not hear anything from your subwoofer, then it has likely been completely blown. Test the cable and audio source as well. Make sure that those are well before you do anything to the subwoofer.
Partial sound with distortion – if you ever notice a weak, distorted sound coming from your subwoofer at any volume, then it might be because of a partially blown subwoofer on your hands.
Test the Cone
Reaching to a subwoofer cone to identify damage is not so hard. All the Subwoofer cones come with a built-in suspension system that allows them to move fluidly. So you can easily identify when the cone is off only by using your hands. When you are doing it, you should be very careful and lightly press on the subwoofer cone. Now you will get to know that what you might experience and what they actually mean.
- No movement – if you lightly press on the cone but it does not move, it is an indicator that damage has occurred.
- A wobbly cone – if you see that the cone unsteadily moves around, then it’s likely the suspension system has been greatly hazarded.
- Scratching sounds – if you hear the cone make scratchy noises while you move it with your hands, then the damage has occurred. You should remove it from your home theater system before it causes damage to any other equipment.
Use a Multimeter
A multimeter is a very useful tool. This tool will be able to inform you if a subwoofer has any damage to its coil. With this device, you can easily check the electrical resistance (also known as ohms, symbol = Ω). If you find that the electrical resistance is zero, then the coil might have been damaged. Again, if the multimeter’s reading does not stay in place, it is also a sign of you having a damaged coil in your hand. So you should probably keep a multimeter around the house. A multimeter is very easy to use. You just have to complete the steps given here.
- At first, disconnect the subwoofer from the power source if it has one.
- Disconnect the audio input from the subwoofer.
- If an external amplifier or receiver is not powering your subwoofer, then you will need to remove the sub from its cage.
- Then you have to connect the two probes to the multimeter. And turn the multimeter on to measure the ohms (Ω) of your subwoofer.
- You have to connect the red probe with the positive lead and the black probe with the negative lead.
Then the multimeter will start to measure the amount of resistance. You will usually have to round up to the nearest whole number to know the correct resistance.
What to Do if You Know Your Subwoofer Is Blown
Damaging a subwoofer is really very stressful. But you should take action as soon as possible once you get to know that your subwoofer is damaged.
At first, you should remove your subwoofer from your working home theater system. Because if you do not remove it from the place, it may end up causing damage to your other equipment, which will be more stressful and cost you a lot of money as well. So you should completely remove it.
If you do not have any electronics experience, you should call someone who is an expert. If your subwoofer is relatively new, it could possibly be covered under warranty. So check this before you start to disassemble the subwoofer. It is good to test the subwoofer by yourself. But it is even better to get more people to estimate the damage. So you can call your extremely tech-savvy friend or take it to the Geek Squad at Best Buy.
And finally, you should now make a decision about what you will do without your subwoofer. Are you on a budget to buy a new one? Could you live without it, currently? Have you ever considered trying to fix it? Most of the time, people choose to buy a new one, but there may be another route for you. So we recommend you to review all of your options to find out what’s best for you.
Best Seller List of Subwoofers:
- Enjoy The Ultimate Audio】This 2025 Upgraded subwoofer car is designed as a perfect size to fit under your car seat, saving valuable space in your vehicle and also enhancing your car audio system at the same time. Forget the boredom and troubles of the journey, immerse yourself in the experience and enjoy the ultimate deep and powerful bass.
- 【Excellent heat dissipation performance 】ZNCLCES 9.5 -inch Ultra Slim Under Seat Active Powered Car/Truck Subwoofer with Built-In Amplifier. The subwoofer car shell is made of cast aluminum, which improves the heat dissipation effect three times compared to traditional iron shells, ensuring that the subwoofer stays cool even when placed under the seat of your car or truck.
- 【Adjust the volume Easily】The subwoofer car included remote control（With gain, bass boost and crossover controls） allows you to change the amount of bass without changing the radio volume, peak power: 1200 watts, for the per mixture of bass in your music at any volume, giving you a stunning bass experience.
- 【APP Controls lights】Download the app from the manual .The new 2025 upgraded version of the car subwoofer audio adopts an aluminum alloy spider-shaped speaker protector and a speaker LED atmosphere light ring design. When the car starts, the subwoofer will light up with a blue LED light and download the app from the manual, it could control the light on/off . You deserve it, it can make a car look cooler at night
- 【High to Low Level Converter】This Car Sub Supports High + Low Level RCA Inputs, Compatible with a variety of car stereo audio systems and car head unit equipment. It Features automatic turn-on technology, adjustable input sensitivity, thermal protection circuitry, short circuit protection circuitry, overload protection circuitry, green power/red protection LED
- All-in-One Complete SDR Series Dual 12-inch Loaded Subwoofer Complete Bass Package
- Peak Power: 2,400 Watts | RMS Power: 1,200 Watts
- Includes x1 Skar Audio SDR-2X12D4 Dual 12" Loaded 2,400 Watt Vented Subwoofer Enclosure
- Includes x1 Skar Audio RP-1200.1D Class D 1,200 Watt Monoblock Car Subwoofer Amplifier
- Includes x1 Skar Audio SKAR4ANL-OFC 4 Gauge Premium OFC Complete Amplifier Wiring Kit
- 10" front-firing spun-copper IMG woofer
- All-digital amplifier with 300 watts peak power
- Volume low pass crossover and phase control
- Line level LFE RCA inputs for maximum receiver compatibility
- Dimensions 14 5" x 12 5" x 16 4"
- 12" high excursion spun-copper Imp woofer
- 29 hertz – 120 hertz plus /- 3 dB
- 400 watt
- Max acoustic output 116dB
- Bass-reflex via rear firing port. Amplifier power (control/peak): 200 watts/400 watts
- [ Deep & Powerful 8-Inch Bass ]: Experience 35Hz deep bass with the T5s powered subwoofer, which features an 8-inch long-throw woofer and a powerful 70W RMS output (driven by Class-D amplifier). Perfect for home audio and home theater.
- [ Precision Control, Seamless Integration ]: Adjust the low-pass filter (30Hz–160Hz) and phase selector (0°/180°) to match any home stereo or active speaker setup.
- [ Slim Design, Low Distortion ]: This space-saving compact subwoofer fits into any spaces. The 18mm MDF cabinet with a front-firing driver and right-firing acoustic port minimizes resonance for clean, tight bass. Its wood grain finish and low-profile grille blend seamlessly with home decor.
- [ Smart & Energy-Efficient ]: Auto-standby saves power after 15 minutes of inactivity. The built-in amplifier ensures plug-and-play operation – no external receiver needed! Includes 3.5mm-to-RCA and RCA cables for instant setup.
- [ Two Connections ]: ① Sub out-equipped speakers/amps: RCA to T5s’ Signal In; main speaker connects directly to audio source. ② No sub out: Connect T5s in series (audio source → T5s’ Signal In → T5s’ Signal Out → main speaker). Note: For ②, main speaker requires LINE IN (Bluetooth/USB/optical/non-wired not supported).
- Powerful 12" copper-spun front-firing woofer
- All-digital amplifier delivers 400 watts of dynamic power
- Equally impressive with music and movies; Brushed black polymer veneer cabinet with satin painted plinth
- Low pass crossover and phase control
- Line/LFE inputs for compatibility with most receivers
- Simplified 5.1ch Dolby Atmos Setup: Enjoy immersive 4D sound with real Dolby Atmos and 5.1-channel audio. Five built-in speakers, including two side-firing drivers, create wide surround without rear speakers. Precision DSP ensures
- Voice Clarity Enhancement: VoiceMX technology uses advanced DSP algorithms to isolate and enhance vocal frequencies in real time. Dialogue remains crisp and easy to follow by separating speech from background effects and music, even at low volumes or during intense scenes.
- 300W Output with 6-Driver System: Featuring five precision-tuned full-range drivers and a dedicated wired wooden subwoofer, the system delivers up to 300W of peak power for bold, room-filling sound. With a frequency response of 45 Hz–18 kHz and a maximum SPL of 99 dB, it reproduces everything from subtle nuances to explosive cinematic effects.
- 18 mm High-Excursion Driver: Powered by BassMX technology, the wired wooden subwoofer features a 18 mm high-excursion driver, a 5.3L tuned cabinet, and a high-density magnetic circuit. This design delivers deeper, tighter bass with greater air displacement and enhanced low-frequency performance—bringing more realism to every scene.
- HDMI eARC for True Dolby Atmos: HDMI eARC supports up to 37 Mbps of bandwidth, unlocking the full potential of lossless Dolby Atmos 5.1-channel audio. Compared to standard ARC, eARC delivers richer surround effects and greater detail. CEC integration allows the TV and soundbar to work together with unified control.
- POWERED SUBWOOFER FOR EXTRA BASS & PUNCH – 10-inch Dynamic Balance woofer and configured directed port provide accurate bass depth that brings music and movies alive. The perfect home theater subwoofer for small-to-mid size rooms. Waterproof : No
- LOUDER CLEARER SOUND EVEN AT HIGH VOLUME – Enjoy a thrilling balanced audio experience with rich, deep sound, even at low frequencies, when using the 10 inch subwoofer. BLENDS EASILY WITH ANY SPEAKER & plays demanding nodes without distortion
- DOUBLE THE AMPLIFIER POWER TO 100 Watts of Power with its in-built 50-watt RMS amp. Sophisticated engineering featuring best in class resonance-free driver materials makes this subwoofer with built in amp highly durable and FIT FOR EXTENDED USE
- EASY TO INTEGRATE WITH EXISTING SYSTEMS – Hook up this compact subwoofer to the receiver and upgrade your music sound instantly. Features continuously variable 80-160 Hz crossover and 40-160 Hz (-3dB) frequency response
- A sleek detachable grille on the front, speaker and line-level inputs, speaker-level outputs on the back, plus a Phase Toggle Switch for multiple subwoofers, make this home subwoofer cohesive and complete
- 【Accessories Can Be Replaced In 1 Year】: If you find that any accessories for your 10 inch subwoofer are missing or damaged after receiving your goods, don’t worry! Just send us an email and let us know. We will ensure that a new set of accessories for you, ensuring you enjoy your powered subwoofer to the fullest
- 【Elevate Your Rock Music Journey】： The car subwoofer addition enhances low-frequency depth, offering a fuller sound that standard speakers may lack. The subtle yet bass can complement rhythmic tracks, allowing you to feel the music’s pulse. Whether enjoying solo drives or family shared moments with friends, the balanced bass adds a layer of immersion, turning ordinary commutes into engaging listening sessions
- 【Product Parameters】：Low Pass Filter: 50Hz - 150Hz, Bass Boost: 0 - 12dB @ 45Hz, Built-in Sub-Acoustic Filter Load @ 20Hz, Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 90dB, High Level Input: 0.9V, LVR Low-Level Input: 300mV, Input Sensitivity
- 【Balanced Bass Adjustment Guide】： Achieve optimal audio quality by fine-tuning your subs settings. Begin by setting the low-pass filter between 60-80Hz. Gradually adjust the bass boost until lows feel defined but not harsh, ensuring clarity in vocals and instruments. Note: Frequencies above 100Hz may feel overly intense—sticking to 60-80Hz typically delivers a smoother
- 【Complementing Mid and High Frequencies】： Beyond bass enhancement, underseat subwoofer can subtly support mid and high ranges. If factory speakers lack brightness, Bass off helps highlight vocals or acoustic details in podcasts or classical tracks. Drivers seeking a well-rounded sound profile, subwoofer car audio adapts to varied listening preferences without dominating your car’s audio setup
- Cone - Made from Polypropylene, The CXX8 8 Inch Car Subwoofer Provides a Resilient and Durable Material That Can Offer Great Sound with The Advantage of a Long-Lasting Subwoofer
- Surround - Rubber has the ability to endure much punishment without any sign of damage. It complements the whole structure of the speaker by allowing constant abuse where it is most needed, without the wear and tear
- Stamped Basket - A stamped basket can absorb and transfer much of the energy produced by the speaker. It has good corrosion resistance, good mechanical property, high thermal and electrical conductivity and retains strength at high temperatures.
- Voice Coil - Our voice coils are able to withstand high temperatures yet maintain its strength and fatigue properties. Making our voice coils with this material gives our speakers the advantage of longer pay times with lower weights
- Specs - Resonant Frequency: 49 Hz, Sensitivity SPL (1W/1m): 83 Db, Dimensions: 8. 25” x 8. 25” x 4. 3”
Related Questions:
Can you fix a blown subwoofer?
Yes, there are numerous ways that you can use to fix a subwoofer. But the task is not easy at all. It will require precision and skill. You will need to detach and separate parts of the subwoofer.
Fixing the area of the subwoofer that has been damaged is also quite challenging. If you want to get your blown subwoofer repaired, it’s best to get it in the hands of an experienced professional with the tools and knowledge to complete the tasks at hand. So we do not recommend you to take attempt to fix your subwoofer unless you actually know what you are doing.
What are the good options for purchasing a new subwoofer?
There are many kinds of subwoofer available on the market from different manufacturers. Day by day, they are getting much better and upgraded. Though it is a matter of sorrow that your subwoofer is blown, you will really enjoy shopping for a new subwoofer. You can find an option available for every budget very easily. The Polk Audio has a few highly rated, budget-friendly options on Amazon.
The PWS10 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer and its PSW505 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer really come with good build quality. The Bic Acoustech PL-200 II Subwoofer is another great option, but you have to spend a slightly higher amount of money for this. And if you have a budget of 500 dollars, you can upgrade to the SVS SB-100 Subwoofer with a 12-inch Driver, 300-Watts RMS, and a Sealed Cabinet. You can choose one of the above or find something else. But whatever your specifications are, there is always a solution for you.
- Built-in BASH amp
- output: 1,000 watts peak/250 watts RMS
- 12-in. front-firing, long-throw, heavy-duty poly-injected woofer with high-power magnet and long excursion surround
- dual flared front ports provide positioning versatility
- Frequency response: 21 Hz to 200 HZ (±3 dB)
-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.
You May Also Like…
- Where to Place Subwoofer with Soundbar: Subwoofer Placement
- Amplifier vs Receiver: Is Amplifier Same as Receiver?
- Top 11 Best Soundbars without Subwoofers
- The 4 Sign and Symptom of Bad HDMI Cable
- What is HDMI CEC?
Last update on 2026-05-15
