Replacing a Subwoofer Amp

On most occasions when your subwoofer blows it is the speaker that needs to be replaced. Sometimes when your subwoofer blows it's not the speaker but the amp. But from time to time it will be the amp. On most home theater subwoofers the amp is a one-piece device that is screwed on to the back of the subwoofer. You can find replacement amps from lots of places including parts express.

Is it hard to replace a subwoofer amp?
Replacing the amp is not difficult and requires only a screwdriver and some common sense. Here is the common sense part.

• Unplug the subwoofer from the power outlet.
• Don't touch any part of the inside of the amp, the capacitors may still have a charge in them.
• Don't try to Fix the amp unless you're a qualified repair person, which you're most likely not
• Don't even attempt this unless you are at least moderately handy.

Ordering your replacement amp

• When you order your replacement amp be sure that the size of the faceplate matches the one on your current unit
• If possible make sure that it also matches the screw holes on the back of your unit. Remember subs do a lot of shaking and you don't want this thing falling out.

When installing your new amp Follow the Instructions. Really, read them before taking the unit out of the box. Go have lunch and then read them again. Then you're ready to try this.

Disclaimer: If you get hurt doing this in any way, you're on your own. I don't recommend messing with an amp replacement I'm just letting you know you can if you really really want to.

That said, here are some amps to consider.

Dayton Audio SA240-B 240W Subwoofer Amplifier with Boost

Bash 300W Digital Subwoofer Amplifier

Bash 500W Digital Subwoofer Amplifier
100 Watt Subwoofer Amplifier Module

Want to purchase a new subwoofer instead? Click here

Finding the Best Speaker Reviews?

Since more and more loudspeakers are being purchased sight unseen these days, it seems a logical question to ask where do I find the best speaker reviews. One would assume that the copy on a speaker companies web site would be biased toward their own brand, D'oh, but what about review sites?

Audioholics, one of my favorite audio sites and forums online posted a great article today about Double

Blind Listening Tests where neither the person running the test nor the listener knows what they are listening too in order to cancel out any bias. "A Double Blind Test (DBT) is one in which neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment."

The article suggests that if you're a consumer purchasing a pair of speaker in a showroom, that a double blind or at least blind listening test would be the way to go. I would agree with this. Of course the caveat here is that no matter how good the room you experience the speakers in, the speakers will sound different in your home. 

Back to where to find the best speaker reviews.

Although review sites like Audioholics have trained listeners, near perfect listening rooms (though still not YOUR room) and reference electronics to drive the speakers, they still have one inherent problem: 

The reviewers don't have your ears, musical preferences or taste in what resonates with your body. 

Your age, physical condition, listening habits, habitat, specific musical taste and listening history will make your best sounding speaker be different than everyone else. 

Does that mean you can't rely on a review, professional or not to help you choose your next speaker? Of course not. Just don't treat it like a magic bullet. Follow the time honored tradition of bringing a CD of your favorite music to the store and sit and listen to as many speakers as you can, in your price range. Why your price range? For the same reason bed sales people tell you which beds to lay on first, if you start with the ones you can't afford you might end up never being happy with your purchase. 

So final advice on buying speakers

• User your favorite music to audition speakers.
• Find articles on how to listen.
• Take your time.
• Make sure you have a return policy in case they don't sound good in your home.
• And yes, Read reviews. If nothing else they will make you a more educated consumer.

Read the full article on double blind testing here.

How to fix Your Squeezebox Radio from loosing its Connection

Update: 2014

Over the two plus years we've had our Squeezebox Radio, it's worked quite well. No connection problems or any other issues for that matter. Recently however over the past several months it starting playing one or two songs then it goes silent. Just stops dead. I needed to hit a new station button to get it working again.

How we Fixed the Squeezebox Connection Problem
Short story, we updated the software to the UE Smart Radio which is the exact same hardware with different, simpler software. Now there are a lot of folks who did not like the new software update. We found it quite easy to use and really not lacking anything. To update you need to log on to MySqueezebox.com and select update. The unit now plays flawlessly and the new remote software for Android and iOS work pretty well.

Don't buy a Logitech UE Radio (read on to see why)