Noisy Kali Audio WS-6.2 - is my unit broken?

[truckers_atlas]

What was the turnaround time for the repair if you don’t mind me asking?

I noticed that my WS-6.2 has the same issue when set to either LFE or external, but seeing as how the 80Hz crossover integrates quite well in my particular setup I’m debating whether it’s worth the hassle.

I probably should do it if only for peace of mind, but I always get cold feet when it comes to packing and shipping heavy equipment over long distances.

Great little subwoofer though.

My subwoofer spent about a week back with Kali before they shipped it back out to me.

 

[aku]

I got in touch with Kali about my subwoofer that I have been only able to use in the 80Hz mode for a year now due to the noise issue. They confirmed that the fix is now being applied in the US. The EU is the next region they are planning to focus on, starting in a few weeks from now.

 

[andysa1966]

Why havnt they done a product recall? I have a couple I’ve not long bought with the same issue, been too busy to follow up, I’ll contact Andertons now I’ve seen this thread about getting returned or repaired

 

[andysa1966]

Started RMA process with Anderson’s, Kali have confirmed a software issue to them, I suppose some might overlook issue, I did for a while, or just keep set to 80hz.

 

[aku]

I have finally gotten a replacement unit!

A couple of weeks ago Kali support got in touch with me with an update that a new unit is heading my way. Moreover, they mentioned that the problem has been resolved in the new batch of units and that the noise artifact I complained about is 8dB lower than before.

Upon receiving the replacement unit I ran measurements to verify the fix and indeed, the noise artifact is lower by about 8dB. This is noticeably better than before, but still just about audible at my MLP (3m away).

Another significant difference I see from the measurements is that the signal/noise gating behavior (demonstrated in the YT video earlier in this thread) occurs at a lower level than previously (~10dB). This is also good, but I hoped for the gating to disappear completely.

Moreover, it looks like the replacement unit has a lower THD. It also has a better in-room bass extension. I don't quite know what to make of this last result...

All in all, I am not fully satisfied with the replacement but I will keep it as is.

This is my third unit, so I've had enough of this fight. It is a shame that I cannot use the external crossover mode. Even with the fixed 80Hz crossover, though, the addition of a sub to my KEF LS50s has hugely improved my enjoyment of music. I will never go back to a sub-less setup.

 

[andysa1966]

I’ve had my subs software updated, I can report the same, at XO set to 120hz it’s faintly audible at the speaker, at XO set to EXT, it’s faintly audible at my MLP when the room is very quiet, at about 2.7M, better than before which was annoying and distracting.

 

[Haruko]

so the unit has high self noise and they are still noise gating it. it's just that the replaced unit has this self noise at lower level am i reading into this correctly ? if this is the case this is just sad because it was best sounding sub i ever tested, very fast and very deep, i was hoping to buy it in the future

 

[aku]

You're not quite correct. This sub does not do what a normal noise gate would. Instead, it's a sort of an inverse gate, where the noise is only emitted when the input is silent. With signal present, the noise disappears. What's worse, the signal is actually gated. (It's muted whenever below threshold, IIRC: -50dBu). In fact, when driving the sub from Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (known to have ultrasonic noise at output) the artifact was gone, because the ultrasonic noise was enough to open the gate and mute the noise.

What a mess... Still, a great sub!

 

[guludaduizhang]

I'm experiencing this issue as well. My authorized dealer told me that this level of background noise is considered normal. They offered to try and get me a replacement but said the unit is not repairable. They also informed me that the latest production batch for this subwoofer model is from 2024.

This leads me to a question for those of you who have received an improved/fixed unit: are the manufacturing dates on your replacements from 2023 or 2024?

Separately, I have a couple of personal theories as to why this subwoofer model is not being produced in 2025:

1. One possibility is that there's too much existing inventory that needs to be cleared before new production orders are placed.
2. Another possibility is that this model has been discontinued, and a V2 version will be released in the future to solve the background noise issue.

 

[Emulator II]

Another possibility is that this model has been discontinued, and a V2 version will be released in the future to solve the background noise issue.

That would indeed be a possibility, since it's become a bit of a tradition at Kali to offer noisy products in the first wave, only to then fix these flaws in the second wave (in my case a WS-12). Frankly, I find that quite strange. I've already mentioned elsewhere in this forum that, precisely for this reason, I would always wait for the second wave from this manufacturer.

 

[MrBrown2k]

Interesting thread.
Up until now I was using the sub only for music, using the balanced XLR connectors. I had no problems there.

I tried using it as a home cinema sub today using the RCA connectors, and only there this incessant hum suddenly appeared. Is that also the connection that you are using when experiencing this issue?

 

[aku]

I don't remember seeing any correlation between the type of input used and the intensity of the generated noise. In fact, the noise was generated even when no input connection was made.

The noise level primarily depends on the crossover setting and the volume knob position.

If you used the 80Hz crossover setting while using XLR (no noise) and the LFE or External setting when using RCA connection (noise), then you have the same problem as I did.

 

[jdg78]

I don't remember seeing any correlation between the type of input used and the intensity of the generated noise. In fact, the noise was generated even when no input connection was made.

The noise level primarily depends on the crossover setting and the volume knob position.

If you used the 80Hz crossover setting while using XLR (no noise) and the LFE or External setting when using RCA connection (noise), then you have the same problem as I did.

Yes, same for me. The noise issue is caused by the output setting (80Hz, LFE, or Full Range), and not related to the RCA vs. balanced connection.

When I select the 80Hz crossover there is no noise, but if I select LFE or full range, there is a noticeable hum when the sub is not in use.

Fortunately, the 80Hz crossover point works well for my current setup so it doesn't really affect me, but it's annoying to know that it's an issue should I ever want to change things up in the future.

 

[Miguelón]

I share my experience with my unit, I received last weak.

It has a moderate rumble (is not hiss, is more like wind blowing) in LFE mode.

Using the 80 Hz inbuilt crossover is totally silent.

When switching to "external" mode, the rumble grows 2 times (subjectively).

As I see, reading other posts, the issue appears when bypassing the crossover in LFE and External (well, I don't know really if in this last Mode the crossover is bypassed).

My unit also seems to sound better in 80 Hz, apart from less self noise: very happy to red this thread, I'm currently listening to my favourite jazz recordings when writting and definitively improved a lot!

 

[MrBrown2k]

Ok then I don't think we have exactly the same issue. Mine remains completely silent in XLR, regardless of the crossover setting.

My RCA issue on the other hand, I can now confirm was caused by a long and cheap cable. Today I bought a 3 meter replacement, gold plated, digital coax RCA audio cable for 8 euro, and my issue has now completely disappeared. No more humming or noise whatsoever (regardless of the crossover setting, even with subwoofer volume turned to max). Apparently a single cable is sufficient because the subwoofer signal is always mono (hearsay), so I just stuck that into one of the RCA inputs. Hence no need to buy 2, and no need either to buy the 80-160euro cable the audio guy proposed first.

What didn't work was my first solution: using the cheap cable with an XLR to RCA converter piece. Gives the same problem.