Music has a powerful effect on making your journey more enjoyable. A subwoofer in your car will improve the sound quality as long as it is not rattling. When you hear it, you might wonder, why are my car’s subwoofers rattling?
The rattles from a subwoofer can be caused by a variety of factors, which are frequently resolved with a little common sense and a few simple fixes.
Moreover, we have listed some of the causes of rattling in your car subwoofer as well as some practical solutions. Roll the dice to get to know them all.
What Is a Subwoofer in Car and Its Advantages?
Subwoofers are large speakers that reproduce low-frequency bass sounds. Most auto radio systems have a specially built subwoofer, amplifier, and head unit for low bass response. Subwoofers improve stereo clarity and bass. They can also improve a system’s performance. A strong subwoofer gives music depth and literalness that a basic car stereo lacks. A powerful subwoofer paired with a good amp and the head unit will enhance your music-listening experience. Moreover, there are a few more remarkable advantages you will get from a car subwoofer. That is:
- The Subwoofers boost the bass to reveal music sounds that speakers can’t. Auto stereo speakers mature at 50Hz. Quality subwoofers can reproduce 20Hz or lower. You’ll enjoy the full depth and clarity of bass, so you won’t miss the smallest notes in your car stereo.
- Subwoofers reduce speaker deformation by reducing aural demands. When a full-range speaker reproduces low-frequency bass, the cone and diaphragm deform. When you play music loudly, your speakers’ woofers may not keep up with the tweeters and midrange drivers.
- Subwoofers relieve low-frequency speakers. Lower speakers can produce a more comfortable frequency range. Subwoofers improve full-range speakers’ performance so they can reproduce quality sound without distortion.
How Does The Car Subwoofer Work?
Before attempting to identify the causes of the subwoofer’s rattling, it is crucial to understand the subwoofer. A subwoofer is essentially a speaker created for your sound system’s lowest bass frequencies.
The woofer cone rotates away from the magnet and back toward it when a sound source, often an amplifier, feeds sound to a subwoofer. In reaction to the current flow from the sound source, the subwoofer’s coil and magnet raise and lower the woofer cone. Sound is produced in this way.
What Causes Your Car’s Subwoofer To Rattle?
There is definitely something wrong if your subwoofer is rattling. Although poor road conditions are sometimes to blame. If it isn’t, there’s probably something wrong with the subwoofer’s setting or a loose part.
Rattling is typically caused by high or low sound waves. When sound waves are converted into air, the metal in a car begins to vibrate. Apart from that, there could be other reasons for your concern. We discovered some possible causes for woofer rattle.
- Loose subwoofer screw
- A blown subwoofer
- Loose items in the car
- A loose license plate
- Unfit amplifier
Now that you are aware of the causes, let’s move on. Therefore, it will be simple for you to identify the issue.
How To Find The Source Of Rattling
It is now necessary to identify the cause of the problem in order to solve it. It is essential to determine why and where the rattling is occurring. To locate the source of the rattling, take the following steps:
- The first thing you should do is, start the sound system and listen to bass-heavy music to check the sound.
- If you notice that the subwoofer is shaking, take a closer look to find out why it is vibrating. Focus on the cone of the speaker.
- In case you see any tears or gaps on the speaker’s cone, it would be best to replace it.
- And if you do not see anything like that, you can try to stop the rattling by holding the cone.
- If your experiment is successful, you might need some padding between the subwoofer and the speaker cabinet.
- When you are done with the above part, check the subwoofer cabinet.
- If you find anything loose, try to tighten it. But sometime it will not work if the problem is more serious.
How To Stop Your Car’s Subwoofer From Rattling
Now you know why the woofer is rattling, you are very close to the problem. This time you just need to know how to fix the mess. Many people experience rattling as a result of faulty woofers. As a result, many people have come up with many solutions to the problem. We will explain several effective ways for you. Let’s find them:
1. Tighten Up Your Subwoofer’s Screws
The loose screws on your subwoofer may be causing your car to rattle like other parts of your vehicle. Listen closely to your subwoofers as they move while you play some music. If you notice that they are rattling, getting their screws tightened is the best thing you can do.
Be careful not to strip your sub’s screw holes or bend its frame by tightening the screws too much.
2. Remove Loose Items Of Your Car
Having checked your subwoofer and finding no problems means it is time to start checking your car because it is most likely the cause of the problem. The interior of your vehicle is the best place to begin your search. Because it is usually easier to fix internal problems than external problems. Play some loud music that makes noise to begin your search. You may feel rattling sounds coming from your car because of those loose objects in your car by doing.
Start by checking the most conspicuous places. Like, a loose change in a cup holder causes the car to vibrate. You may notice that loose items rattle in the console, pockets, trunks, and glove compartments of the car.
Make sure your spare tire and jack are in good working order. Objects can be hidden inside or come loose from tires.
3. Use An Automotive Sound Deadener
The sound deadener is a very workable solution. It is a good solution because many people have benefited from using sound deadeners.
While you can not find the problem anywhere else, the rattling sound is definitely coming from the metal under the speaker. The first thing you need to do is, remove the speaker from the back and see where it is touching the metal. When you find the place where the metal touches the speaker, apply a sound deadener. Similarly, tap the bottom of the cover with the deadener. Hopefully, you won’t hear any more rattling after that.
4. Change The Bass Frequency
Consider changing the bass frequency to see if it stops rattling. You can adjust the speaker according to specific frequency ranges with modern equalizers. There are many equalizers on the market. In most equalizers, maintain balance in the treble, midrange, and bass. For example, amplifiers are very effective in keeping the frequency lower. There are advanced settings on the amplifier that allow you to change frequencies easily.
5. Take A Look At Your License Plate
Before proceeding to the larger exteriors, better you check your license plate. License plates with metal compositions can become quite complex when shaken because of their metal combination. So before moving on to other exteriors, check your license plate to see if it rings. To figure it out, play music, get out of your car, and see what happens.
If you feel your plate vibrates or hear a metallic bump, the most likely cause of metallic bumps or vibrations on your license plate is the back end of your vehicle.
High-intensity foam tape will work well to secure your license plate. All you need to do is, tape your license plate from four sides with high-intensity foam tape. And then, reattach the plate to the car by punching holes in the tape. And you will feel no more rattling.
6. Repair Or Replace The Amplifier
We talked about the amplifier above and how it helps balance noise levels. So if your amplifier is inefficient, it can cause problems with subwoofer rattling. You probably already have an amplifier in your car if it has subwoofers. The amplifier will sound best if it matches your subwoofer. So, according to your impedance load and total RMS rating of your subsystem, select an amplifier that matches that rating.
FAQ’s
What Does It Sound Like When A Sub Is Clipping?
You are most likely encountering clipping if you detect a sudden change in the sound of your music or if there are loud pops and crackles. When an amplifier is overworked, clipping occurs, producing distorted audio signals.
Does a Blown Speaker Rattle?
There is some mechanical movement that can be heard as damage to a blown speaker. The speaker cone should be lightly tapped to create a sound akin to a hard drum. A speaker that is malfunctioning will rattle.
Is It Hard to Fix a Blown Subwoofer?
It is not so hard to fix a blown subwoofer if you know the proper guideline to do it. However, taking professional help to fix the sub is a wiser option.
Wrapping Up
Remember that your subwoofer is a delicate electrical device, which is why it can get damaged. So, when the problem is more complex, the solution is not only in your hands.
If you follow the steps above, you will not have to wait long for your car to stop being rattled by subwoofers. But remember, only repair as much as you feel you can manage, and for the rest, it is better to take the help of a professional.
