Written By:
Table of Contents_
If you are new to the world of stereo setups, you may wonder how long subwoofers last. Many of the best speakers, after all, are subwoofers, and these speakers tend to last for a long time. So how long do the best subwoofers last, and what are some tips to ensure a decent lifespan? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Home subwoofers last around ten years, which is helpful to know when learning how to connect a subwoofer to an amplifier. Of course, high-end models can last a good deal longer, up to 20 years in some cases, if you want to avoid learning how to adjust a subwoofer. Modern wireless subwoofers may not last quite as long, as wireless components are tougher to repair, which is useful when learning how to take apart a Bluetooth speaker with no screws.
Insider Tip
Power the sub off if you hear any crackling or humming noises during use until you know the cause.
The minimal lifespan of a decent subwoofer is around seven years, even if you have learned subwoofer placement with a soundbar.
Some common-sense tips ensure your subwoofer makes it to that full ten years and beyond.
Make it a habit to regularly replace any associated cables and wires, including speaker wires, power supply cables, subwoofer output cables, and more. Why do this? Cables fail quite frequently, and this can lead to a blown subwoofer if you aren’t careful. Keep plenty of replacement cables on-hand to make the swapping process easy. If you experience any issues, it is likely that faulty cables or wires are to blame, especially early on.
STAT: All powered subwoofers require two connections: power and signal. (source)
Subwoofers should be broken in properly to ensure a decent lifespan. How do you do this? It’s quite simple, really. Just listen to the subwoofer at a low to medium volume with gain staging at half for ten to 12 hours or two or three weeks of regular use. Avoid high volumes during this period and keep going until you notice an uptick in audio quality. As an aside, perform this task for regular speakers and not just subwoofers.
It is best to plug the sub into a surge protector before hitting the wall outlet. This minimizes the chances of an overload which, in turn, leads to a blown and useless speaker.
