Yamaha blown subwoofer - can I fix it? YST-SW60 is the model.?

Question

I realized one day that I didn't notice it producing noise anymore. I never turned the volume up more than halfway on it, so I don't feel like I was overusing it - but when I went to see if maybe it was just turned down too low, I found it was all the way up, leading me to think that it got bumped and then blown out while someone else was listening to it.

Regardless, I'd like to know if anyone has ever tried to take this apart and replace the driver - the front cloth doesn't just detach, so I can't easily check to see what kind of condition it's in, but there are a lot of screws on the back plate, making me think that maybe I can access it through there.

Has anyone tried anything like this with this (or a similar) sub? Thanks!

Answer 1

It is possible that an authorized Yamaha service center could get you a replacement driver. Look in the manual if you still have it, or go online to Yamaha to find a service center near you or you may have to go straight to Yamaha to get one. Also possible are drivers that are listed as replacements for your unit at aftermarket places like MCM electronics, U.S. Speaker or Parts Express. If nothing is listed as a direct replacement, then the fun begins. You need to look at the available drivers of the right size - check diameter AND mounting depth - and then look at its performance specifications, usually known as Thiele-Small parameters. I recently replaced the woofers in my main speakers, and found programs online to do the math so I could get the bass response I needed. Just query for "loudspeaker design programs" in your web browser. Download one or two and run them, entering in the parameters from replacement drivers until you get the bass response you need.