[GusMart]

I have a JBL PSW D115 sub and like others the amp has blown and is out of warranty, I called JBL and they offered to sell me one of their new 10 or 12 inch NORTHRIDGE Series Subs at a discount which was just below what I could buy one from a discount place but I figured I would take them up on it, then they told me I had to cut the woofer and send in the paper part for them to offer me the discounted price.

This got me thinking, I have a 15 inch sub with a nice enclosure would I be better off getting a good quality amp even if it is the same as the replacement price for the JBL offer but this way I would have a 15" sub, which I love, the sound was a little muffled down low but what bass, walls rattled.

So my question(s) for the gurus here are:
Is this worth doing? or just buy the discounted sub?
Which amp is recommended? Stock amp was 250W.
Where can I purchase amps?

Thanks in advance.

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Northridge series – according to JBL’s website, that’s their E150 and E250 subs. I don’t know how capable a performer your D115 is, but I’d take a pass on those two. You can see an in-room response chart for the 150 at the subwoofer review link in my signature – it brick-walls at a mere 30 Hz. From what I’ve heard others say, the 250 isn’t much better.

Bottom line, I think I’d look into getting a new amp before I’d take either of those subs. Parts Express sells plate amps – check their site. Be sure and find out what the impedance of your current driver is before you get one, though.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

[GusMart]

Thanks for response, I found the amp was really 350W so more reason not to take their deal, the impedance is reading around 7 so I assume 8 ohm woofer.

[Neil Joseph]

You know something? I have a PSB 12" subwoofer which started blowing fuses. I traced the problem to a small power supply board on the plate amp. I called PSB to find out the cost of this little PS and they told me I had to purchase the entire plate amp which was almost the cost of the entire subwoofer.

I decided to replace 4 power transistors on the PS and the problem was rectified.

Total cost was about $10.

[GusMart]

Yeah this blew the fuse and I changed it thinking I was set but when it didn't work I took a closer look and saw this nice black burnt section on the board with a couple of pieces melted and this wire which looked like aluminum foil almost disintegrated. I am a noob at this so excuse any ignorance, ask me about cars and I'll do better.