I have an Infinity Kappa Perfect 10.1d that's been installed in a box and working with the same Kenwood amp for close to 5 years now. Recently though it has begun to stop working intermittently. I've examined the amp during these times and it's on and sending voltage to the sub. I've traced voltage all the way to the connector on the outside of the sub box. I've removed the sub and checked all the connections (from outside connector to post, one post to the other on the sub, and then back to outside connector) and everything is secure, I have not looked for voltage there while it's operating.

When it stops working I can pick up the edge of the box and drop it and the sub will come back on, which seems like a connection problem to me, but like I said I've checked all the connecting. Is there something on the sub itself I should be looking at?

 

Check the spiders on the sub and make sure they arent starting to wear. I had a cheap sub do that to me. The spider would loose connection so id have to rig it back on. Luckily I only had to deal with this for a little while until my good sub got back.

Might be time for a new sub

 

Thanks, that was my next area to check out and sure enough one was loose. Could barely touch it and the sub would spring back to life. I hit up a local stereo shop who wanted to cut open the cone and look at the voice coil and then sell me a new sub. I said no thanks and hit up Lowes for some flexible epoxy.

24 hours of cure time later it's working great and hitting just as hard as ever. I actually went ahead and coated all 4 of them to hopefully prevent future problems.

New sub: $179
Epoxy: $3
Saving $176 to restore the bass that was missing: Priceless.

 

Id start looking for a new sub just in case. If your popping spiders its not a great quality sub. You will probably have problems again.

 

Or it could be the fact that its 5+ years old? Just because something is wearing out over time doesnt mean its not a quality sub.

 

Well i guess im comparing them to my 10 yr old memphis that ive never had a problem with. But compared to some subs that I let the guy tell me that were 500w subs (when i knew they werent) and let my 200w amp blow the spider off of them.

But my assumption might not have been correct.

 

Sub shopping is going to have to wait until the finances allow as I'd like to upgrade the whole system again. Everything in the system (except the new head unit) is now 5+ years old. 4 channel 240 watt Kenwood amp, 800 watt amp driving the sub, infinity sub and kenwood speakers in the doors, all the wiring, fuses, etc. They've all moved from one vehicle to another, three vehicles total. I'd say I've gotten my money's worth out of them so if I can milk the sub along a little longer so be it.

Only other issue I have is the seal on one of the door speakers is a little loose and it rattles from time to time. Might try this flexible epoxy stuff on that too!

 

Been there done that. All of my stuff cept for my new Arc and ID stuff has been in 4 different vehicles. Amps are good because they normally dont wear if used properly. I wouldnt redo the whole system just sub then maybe door speakers if they are sounding tired.

If it isnt broke, dont fix it.