Bass Is Worse Then Ever

I Had an old truck which this setup came out of. It's from around the 2001 era. A Zapco amp and two JL Audio 10" subs. It use to sound amazing. I use to be able to feel the bass from some songs "in my bones". I haven't had that feeling in probably at least 3 years. More recently it has a more "empty" sound to it. It is no longer hard hitting, smooth, crisp, and clear bass. What is the most likely cause of this? Amp, Subs, or both?

 

Could be so many things. Could be mechanical (issues with amp, subs, wiring etc.)

Could be as simple as power requirements needed for the amp are not there (not getting enough power from the vehicle).

Could be xover points, gain settings, eq settings different than before. Of course, that isn't taking into account the differences in vehicles between your old and new one. Might have a different resonance (sp?), not be "loaded" the same etc. etc.

Hard to tell over a forum. Are you using the same box for the subs or a new one? Tune point?

How did you set the gains on the amp? Scope/tone?

Are the subs wired to the same load on the amp? Did you verify connections to the subs? They are not wired out of phase are they?

Wish you were closer as would be much easier lol.

 

Amps loose power after use. Subs wear down.. This is natural. Even PC's loose processing power after years of constant use. You can always hook up another sub (same type) to the amp and see if it sounds the same or better to get a rough idea which one is worse.

 

The sub woofer foam surround was completely torn. (The part that closes the gap as the inner sub pulsates up and down)

 

Ouch! That's too bad.

Probably too old a model to have a recone out there. Might be worth a look at what is available from JL anyway though.

Cheers