off2board Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Hello, I am looking to replace the driver in my RSW-12 sub. Does anyone have a service manual available for it? Or can tell me what ohms it runs at? (2, 4 or 8?). The driver itself smells cooked so I am starting with that. Any guidance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Replacement part from Klipsch is no-go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Have you checked the voice coil resistance with a meter? The amp (electronic) part of these is MUCH more likely to be the problem. This hard to believe, but maybe give'em a holler: https://www.ebay.com/p/21045972961?iid=363368310292&thm=1000 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason str Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Normally it's a crack in the basket from shipping, it is unusual to find a overdriven driver. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
001 Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 1 hour ago, off2board said: Hello, I am looking to replace the driver in my RSW-12 sub. Does anyone have a service manual available for it? Or can tell me what ohms it runs at? (2, 4 or 8?). The driver itself smells cooked so I am starting with that. Any guidance? is the sub not working? if so, as mentioned the amp is probably whats bad, unfortunately it is common of many models of this era subs. do some testing of the sub if you can with a ohm or multi meter & report what it is. if the amp is bad a member here repairs them for a very fair price, message @ngen33r for more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 18 minutes ago, EpicKlipschFan said: is the sub not working? if so, as mentioned the amp is probably whats bad, unfortunately it is common of many models of this era subs. Are you saying because of their age? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 1 hour ago, Zen Traveler said: Are you saying because of their age? Where you been Zen? Klipsch subs are notorious for amp failures. If that is offensive to Klipsch perhaps they should fix the problem(s) and not kill the messenger. 1 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted December 16, 2021 Share Posted December 16, 2021 4 minutes ago, babadono said: Where you been Zen? Klipsch subs are notorious for amp failures. If that is offensive to Klipsch perhaps they should fix the problem(s) and not kill the messenger. I've been here and it's why I ask. Fwiw, the RSW series does not have a history of amp failures. Mine have been played practically every night for 20 years and I only had to replace 1 amp because of a lightening strike 12 years ago. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Btw, when was the RSW 12 discontinued (2003 possibly) and how long do subwoofer amps usually last? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Knock on wood! But yes it seems the RSW series was/is the least problematic. We need to hear more from the OP. @off2board ?? you still with us? BTW i do have Service Manual and can get it to you as an email. Can't do it through this forum too large a file. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
001 Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 19 hours ago, Zen Traveler said: Are you saying because of their age? age is one issue, but as mentioned above so is the fact klipsch & many other brands of plate amp subs & speakers are known for failures. the RSW line is not as bad but still can & do have problems.... there are 2 or 3 other threads right below this one of RSW amp problems & many more on this forum & others over the years , they have issues too. as with anything like this, the failure rates are relatively low overall compared to how many were made & if yours have been good for this long thats great, but many others have failed. the environment plate amps live in is very rough on parts & most these amps are made in china so knocking on wood is a good idea as they get older. the OP needs to do some further diagnosis to determine what the issue is. as mentioned, unless the woofer was severely overdriven (which most sub amps have protection to prevent that) its most likely not the woofer & the amp that is the problem. it will be cheaper to repair the amp than buying a replacement woofer so hopefully the woofer is good. being these are so old (2003?) i doubt klipsch has replacement parts but you can always call & sit on hold for 15-20+ minutes or email & wait a month for a reply , --- heres a replacement woofer... not cheap. https://www.ebay.com/itm/124508633297?epid=21045972961&hash=item1cfd4af8d1:g:11AAAOSwSeFf7fSK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 22 minutes ago, EpicKlipschFan said: age is one issue, but as mentioned above so is the fact klipsch & many other brands of plate amp subs & speakers are known for failures. the RSW line is not as bad but still can & do have problems.... there are 2 or 3 other threads right below this one of RSW amp problems & many more on this forum & others over the years , they have issues too. Not to be argumentative but having been a long-time member and owner those are all current threads talking about a long discontinued product...I suggest age is more the culprit of current RSW amp failures and realize newer models have had issues--the RSW series did not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen Traveler Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 19 hours ago, EpicKlipschFan said: is the sub not working? if so, as mentioned the amp is probably whats bad, unfortunately it is common of many models of this era subs. @ngen33r Checking back I see we may agree age is the issue. 17 hours ago, babadono said: Where you been Zen? Klipsch subs are notorious for amp failures. If that is offensive to Klipsch perhaps they should fix the problem(s) and not kill the messenger. THIS post was what I was responding to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 The RSW 10 drivers measure 3 ohms with a meter. You have the driver out so itll be easy to check. These amps are much better than their current offerings which seem to crap out fairly often. They will not however last forever. Eventually they fail. Not due to a bad design though. Just age. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
off2board Posted December 27, 2021 Author Share Posted December 27, 2021 (edited) The sub is working somewhat. It powers on and outputs like normal, but clips at lower frequencies (deeper bass sounds, or background filler in movies). On the driver I am measuring 1.1ohms across the terminals (So yea, I am guessing its blown but I dont have the specs). The amp appears to go into a type of safety mode when playing music with lots of bass hits. Thanks for the response people and the links for replacement drivers. Is it worth spending $250 for driver that 'might' fix everything or just getting their cheaper but 15 years newer sub for nearly the same price??? Edited December 27, 2021 by off2board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Was the driver disconnected when you checked it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
off2board Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 Yes...of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
off2board Posted January 7, 2022 Author Share Posted January 7, 2022 Happy Ending Just to follow up. I ended up buying a used driver off ebay for $70. Numbers on it weren't identical and had some wear n tear but took a chance. Both were K-1113-T but mine was #121242 and this one is #121212...not sure what that number represents but the sub is working and no more clipping. Thanks again for the direction. I had originally tried looking on ebay and struggled to find anything but some users above provided links and got me on track. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 The different numbers are serial numbers. Its normal to be different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter P. Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Congratulations and thanks for the update! That certainly was unusual for a driver to fail. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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