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Damaged cabinet of sealed subwoofer does it matter?

F

fwwwk

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Helo guys.

My recently bought subwoofer (canton 600) was damaged in transport. Although during the simple tests it does its job (driver looks and moves alright), I am worrying that the air perforation will alter frequency response of the sealed cabinet.

Do you suggest any tests to perform or any possible solutions (outside of returning sub, claiming courier company etc.)? My first guess was to use elastic epoxy to fill the cracks. Thank you

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2 things to try -

Gently and slowly press the driver cone straight in - release and observe the driver returning to rest. Should be slow to return, indicating vacuum in the cabinet. This assumes the cabinet is very slightly leaky - most are, just enough to allow this test to work.

Play a sub-bass tone at high level and hold tissue paper near the damaged corner. Any movement indicates a leak.

If it leaks, remove driver and apply sealant to the area from the inside. Follow the sealant instructions.
 
It probably won't make a BIG difference but if it's no longer sealed I'd go-ahead with the epoxy, or RTV, caulking, or glue, etc. And if you can get inside it, it might be worth sealing the inside too.
 
Crushed corner, very unlikely that there is any leak.
 
Light a candle or some incense and hold it by the damaged area. Then push the woofer inward. If it's leaking you'll see the smoke change direction.
 
Unlikely to be leaking from that corner, but some wood glue in the cracks (many wood glue options become transparent when drying) could help you sleep at night.
 
If you’re going to do any ‘pushing’ of the woofer, I’d be very wary of knocking the suspension/coil out of line. Only do this if you really know what you’re doing.

Alternatively, feed the sub a 20 Hz signal and turn the volume up until you can see the woofer moving quite a bit. If you can hear any ‘fluttering’, ‘chuffing’ or turbulence noise coming from the corner where the damage is, then you have a problem.

It’s highly unlikely to be causing an issue however…
 
Flaesh said:
For a while, one of my old little subwoofers had a hole in it from a lost M6 bolt, and it was snorting and grunting.
Click to expand...
Do not push the cone inward, only to investigate for a leak. That's an analytical approach, but there's a more practical, and less critical method_ just play a deep bass tone e/g from youtube basstest, 30Hz, maybe 50Hz or a sweep.
As @Flaesh says, if there is a leak, it will make itself heard with characteristic noises.

Not the least to say, such noises are the only reason to worry, if you care about them from your listening position at all. The frequency response is with all human foresight not affected in any case. Nearly all speakers have tiny leaks.

In regard to cosmetics, fill the cracks and repair the finish to your liking, again no need to open the speaker.
 
With sealed sub. If the woffer pumps as it should but you suspect a leak, it should be enough for you to turn it up a lot with bass notes / bass heavy music and feel with your hand where you think it's leaking. It should puff out air at the possible hole that you than can feel.
If so, unscrew the woffer and shine with a flashlight. Maybe place the flashlight in the subwoofer and mount the woffer there provisionally. They should shine through the possible hole.
That plus other advice and tips in the thread.
Holes are not difficult to detect.

You still have to unscrew the woofer if you want to seal your sub, if you have a hole, that is.
 
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