How do you know if your subwoofer is blown/damaged?

Question

I've got a small 2.1 computer speaker system from the late 90s...but I *really* like the sound quality so I don't just want to toss it.

The sub sounds a little muddy, and I need to keep the Bass Control k**b way down, otherwise I hear distortion.

Does this mean the sub is blown?

The satellites sound great.

I have it hooked to a computer and have the computer's bass turned off, so its not like the sound card is pumping out too much bass.

(there's no way I can open the case to look at the actual sub.)

Answer 1

Unfortunately, a speaker can get blown with out blasting the bass. If it sounds buzzy or crackly when you hear base but the other speakers sound fine, it is blown (sorry).

Answer 2

I think that your sub has blown (more like a hole or a tear in the cone).

Ideally you should get a new one since you can't open the case.