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Anonymous Posted on Feb 03, 2010

Boston BA790 Subwoofer Making Strange Noises

Hello. I have an old set of Boston BA790 speakers. Lately, the subwoofer has been making strange noises. It sounds like faint crackling noise and it comes and goes. When I unplug the blue "Control" plug it stops making the noise, but then I have no sound from my speakers. Is there something I can do to troubleshoot or fix this?

The crackling sound is only coming from the subwoofer occasionally.

  • Anonymous Feb 03, 2010

    Thank you for the fast response. I don't have any cats. A good idea to check anyway so I shook the subwoofer vigorously, but nothing is rattling. The speaker system has always been used moderately, volume at no more than 30-50% and Bass dial to no more than 20 or 30%. I'm not a loud music person so it's hard to imagine that the subwoofer is blown from loud sound. I'm the only person who uses it.

    Another way to describe the noise might be to say a low rumbling, almost as if there's static in the connection or something. It's kind of hard to describe. But like I said it comes and goes. It's quiet now, but then later it may start making the noise for 10-30 minutes. It's not a steady noise either.

    Is it possible for a subwoofer like this to just simply wear out over time? Or should these pretty much last forever with proper use?

    I've checked all the plugs and they're all seated securely. Could it be something in the wires? My sound card drivers are up to date as well.

    What if I opened up the subwoofer...is there something I could look for there?

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  • Posted on Feb 15, 2010
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I just took my sub apart and found that the surround on the driver speaker inside the sub was totally crumbled and lying in pieces throughout the sub box.

I'm looking around now for specs on the sub speaker so I can find a replacement.

  • Anonymous Aug 27, 2011

    Had the same thing.
    Installed a Dayton 5-1/4" 8-ohm Woofer.
    Sounds great.

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  • Posted on Feb 03, 2010
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If you have any cats, make sure that they may not have put something inside of the port hole. see if anything rattles around when you shake the speaker, nothing should. you may have blown your speaker, especially if you have ran it at high level for several years. turn down the amount of bass that is going into it. it does sound like you have a bad speaker

Testimonial: "Thank you for the fast response. The clarification comments helped tremendously. I'll try the suggestion about cleaning the contacts."

  • Anonymous Feb 03, 2010

    no, using it as you are, it should last forever.... but, with what you are now saying, i would look to see if something else in your house is turning on and causing this. traced one down that was a bad ballast in a light fixture in the apt next door. my own system one time did very similar to what you are saying, cleaned the contacts on the plug that plugs into the speaker with q-tip and rubbing alcohol. couple of years now and no repeats.

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  • Posted on Dec 13, 2011
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Thanks guy it help lot I did take the woofer out now I need to buy the new one and place it. In my case I want to fit it because I use my iPhone or touch pad to play music or watch videos or even movies, sound great I do have a system all ready in back side of my house for when I do BBQ or workout and placing the one I bought at Craigslist in my garage for my mechanical skills, lol... Thanks again.

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