Bazooka 8" Powered Subwoofer Issue
 

I recently purchased a Bazooka BTA8100FHC 8" powered subwoofer and followed this thread to install it. Installing it went fine, very easy and straightforward.

Once everything was hooked up though, I noticed the sound on the subwoofer seemed a little wonky...

https://youtu.be/TlQYzkASGD0

With the trunk closed, I can only hear that odd vibration when the heavy bass stops. I've not had this issue with any other system in any other car. IT functions normally and sound fine to me in the car with the trunk closed, but when I open the trunk and listen to the sub, like in the video above, all I can hear is that feedback-like sound.

Here's the caveat:
It's a refurbished unit that I bought for almost half off - the previous owner looks to have cut the positive and negative wires for the FAST harness. I spliced these together with some wire nuts. I then routed the wiring down the passenger side of the car along the door sill.

Before I return it, what might be another cause for the issue?

Move it closer into the corner. 2-4 inches away, and see if that helps.

No difference.

Only when I apply pressure to the foam surround does the bass sound like it should without that weird rattle/vibration/feedback.
I'm under the impression that it's broken on the inside.

I ordered a new one, which should be here by Tuesday. I'll try it with the new subwoofer and existing wires, then the new wiring and old refurb, then all new.

That sub is blown.
replace it.

That sound is the voice coil rubbing against the magnet shaft. The only other way that could happen is if was dropped so hard the magnet moved out of alignment.

If you know anything of what fried electrical smells like take a good sniff. It's it's smelled burnt, well there's your answer. If I'm not mistaken those subs are duel voice coils, so one coil could have got toasted.

Thank you!

I was just about to post my youtube searches regarding blown subs. Found a couple that sounded exactly like my issue.

Right, so I purchased another one - new this time - but after connecting all the wires, grounding it, and ensuring it had power.... nothing.... LED indicator won't light up, unit won't power on. Not going to be buying another Bazooka tube again.

So it too is being returned!

I get to dismantle the passenger side for the third time tomorrow and then tape over the holes left by the FAST harness.

Have you considered the BRZ 10" OEM Kicker sub (comes with it's own amp)? It's a little more work to install, but everyone that buys one seems to like it. I have one to install myself, just waiting for a full day.

https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru__/...630SCA000.html

After 1 1/2 years my Bazooka BT8100FCH stills sounds great. After a few Tail of the Dragon runs I added a couple of velcro strips between the floor mat and the trunk foam blocks for extra stability. http://www.homedepot.com/p/VELCRO-Br...0199/202261921

Sounds like your first sub was fubar.

I'm assuming you are using their FAST-9999 harness which comes in 2 parts. With a multimeter, and with the key on in the accessory position, check the positive pin side, red cable, of part 1 that connects to your HU for 12V to see if that's connected correctly, use one of the HU chassis screws/bolts as a ground for the multimeter.
If yes, then connect it to part 2, the long cable that plugs into the sub, and with a multimeter check that the corresponding ground and 12V pins on the connector (see pic) are getting 12V. If no, check your ground wire connection.
If yes, then when you connect part 2 to your sub, with the key on in the accessory position, the green LED should be on. Also make sure that the connector is fully seated on the sub.

Attachment 159300

Attachment 159301

I need the space in the trunk, so I need something that's easily removable. I haul a rather giant instrument once a week that takes up the back seat and the trunk - all of it.

I may place a sub in the back seat, somehow figure out how to strap it into the factory baby seat mounting locations.

Very weird. I have the 50w version in the FR-S (OEM HU) and the 100w version in the Yaris (Kenwood Excelon HU). Both work great. Are you sure you're tapping into the 12v power wire, and if so, are you making a successful puncture?

Also, if you've lengthened the ground wire, reverse it and make it the original length again.

What are your thoughts in general with the Bazooka subwoofer? I was strongly thinking about putting one in my GT86 but JL Audio seems to be raved about as the recommended subwoofer to buy.

I would probably install it like the image below

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1393445894

Options
 

With the first blown bazooka, You can pick up a replacement driver for around $60.
I completely understand wanting to be able to pull out a sub / enclosure and have every inch of your trunk space available. For that reason I installed a very small NVX MVPA1 amp that easily mounts in the back of my glove box. That way I just have to pull the sub / enclosure with nothing but a speaker wire left that I can easily tuck out of the way.

I have a Powered Bazooka in my trunk and it sounds good and has decent bass, but I much prefer the look of the OEM audio one if it was not so expensive. Depends on what ya want I guess.


22R

The OEM Subaru Kicker 10" has a speed knob and front bracket intended to allow you to pull the box out whenever you need the space very easily. Still it holds the sub in place securely when driving hard. In the install video below it's shown at about 8:15 mark.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZndLMZlNEU"]losmt2 - Subura BRZ / Scion FRS Factory Sub Install - YouTube[/ame]


And also in the upper left of this pic

https://parts.subaru.com/images/part...ofer-shift.jpg