Mackie HD1801 is a well-designed and one of the most powerful subwoofers available in the market since it has 1600W of fast recovery amplification with a peak power of 800W RMS. The subwoofer has an exceptional operating range, ranging from 35Hz to 145Hz, making it a great choice for different music genres.
In addition, it has a well-ported design with full-range outputs that help achieve maximum sound throughput. However, before you invest in this subwoofer, it’s important to know the common problems associated with it!
How To Fix Problems With Mackie HD1801
- Subwoofer Has Low Output
Low output is the most common issue with this subwoofer and the primary culprit is the power. Since this is a power-based subwoofer, it must have correct power connections, so check the power cord to ensure it’s tightly connected to the power outlet.
In addition, it should be connected to the other audio gear to ensure the output is good enough. On the other hand, if you have connected the subwoofers to a battery, make sure the battery is fully charged.
- Noise In The Sound Output
The second issue with this subwoofer is the distortion and sound, and in most cases, it’s caused by incorrect or loose connections. The first step is to inspect all the cables connected to the subwoofer and make sure they are tightly connected to their respective ports (yes, you have to double-check the ports).
On the other hand, if the cables are damaged, you must get them replaced but always purchase high-quality cables.
- Subwoofer Is Not Switching On
In case the subwoofer is not turning on, you must check the power source and make sure the power cord is working well as it’s responsible for turning on the subwoofer. In particular, the power cable should be tightly connected to the power outlet and there must be no damages.
That’s because the damaged power cord fails to transmit the electric signals, and as a result, the subwoofer doesn’t turn on. In case the power cord is damaged, get it replaced by a professional.
If the power cord is not the issue, the second step is to check the power outlet as it must be actively working to support the subwoofer’s functionality.
It’s recommended that you connect your subwoofer to another power outlet, and if it turns on, the previous power outlet was damaged and needs to be repaired before you plug in the unit.
On the other hand, if the subwoofer doesn’t work in a new power outlet either, the last option is to hire an electrician and get the internal wiring checked.
The electrician can check the wiring’s continuity and other components to ensure they are working well (the electrician can use a multimeter to determine the power continuity). In case some wires and components are damaged, they have to be replaced to turn on the subwoofer.
- Buzzing & Humming Noise
There are four primary reasons when buzzing and/or humming noise starts coming out of the subwoofer. First of all, you have to check for the ground loop because it causes the majority of noise issues. In most cases, the ground loop is caused by the audio gear’s cabling.
To be certain, you have to remove the HDMI cable from the speakers, and if the humming goes away, the cable is creating a ground loop. The solution is to invest in a 75ohm ground loop isolator.
In addition, it’s recommended that you consult a professional electrician to check the wiring in your home as damaged house cabling also creates a ground loop. The second reason is the amp – it’s better that you disconnect the subwoofer from the amp and try playing.
If the humming goes away, the amp is probably overheated, which is causing the noise issues. The solution is to let the amp cool down and reconnect it to the subwoofer once the temperature is optimized. The third reason is the damaged interconnects or speaker wires.
For instance, it’s likely that the cables are damaged or have poor ground due to damage or oxidation. In addition, the unshielded cables also pick up the noise, which leads to humming and buzzing. As far as the solution is concerned, it’s recommended that you change the damaged and unshielded cables.
Moreover, it’s better to put the signal cable farther away from power transformers and AC cables. Last but not least, if you have connected the subwoofer to an electrical outlet where you’ve already connected an SRC device or a light dimmer, it causes signal interference, which results in humming or buzzing.
If possible, use different outlets, but if it’s not possible, you should invest in an AC line filter to prevent signal interference.
- Thumping When It’s Turned Off Or On
When you try to turn on or turn off the subwoofer but it creates a thumping effect, it’s caused by the upstream equipment. To prevent thumping, you should always shut off the subwoofer first and then disconnect the amps and audio sources. On the contrary, when you have to turn on the system, turn on the subwoofer at last.
- Automatically Goes Into Standby Mode
If you are playing something and the subwoofer goes into standby mode automatically, it’s caused by poor signal reception. For instance, if the source fails to provide sufficient signals, it will trigger the standby mode. To fix this problem, you can try the following options;
- Try to turn up the signal source (you can open the speaker’s setup menu to turn it up)
- Secondly, you should turn on the “on/auto/off” switch on the subwoofer as it limits the power consumption and ensures sufficient signal reception and transmission
- Zero Output From The Subwoofer & The LED Is Off
If you have connected the subwoofer to the power but the LED is off and the subwoofer doesn’t produce any output, the first step is to check the amp because it’s not getting the AC power. To fix this problem, you must ensure that the subwoofer’s back switch is turned on.
In addition, make sure you are using the compliant power cord (check the compliance from the user manual) and it’s tightly connected to both ends. If the amp connection is working well, it’s likely that the fuse is blown.
The simplest solution for a blown fuse is to replace it. However, you must hire a professional to get the fuse replaced as there are various connections that need to be done properly.
- Zero Output From The Subwoofer & The LED Is On
When you turn on the subwoofer and the LED light is on but there is no music output, you have to check the connection between the twelve-inch woofer and amp because it might be disconnected or loose. The solution is to disconnect the subwoofer and check the negative and positive terminal connections on the amp and woofer.
The positive terminal of the amp should be connected to the positive terminal of the woofer, and vice versa. In case the connections are correct and tight, it’s likely that the woofer is at fault and needs professional repair service.
- Low Bass
This subwoofer is designed to offer maximum sound throughput and bass, which means a low bass issue is serious. To fix the bass issue, it’s recommended that you increase the volume on the subwoofer as many people push it down by mistake. In addition to this, check the receiver and make sure the LFE level is turned up.
Secondly, you have to check the subwoofer’s placement because it creates low bass when it’s set up in an enclosed space. So, if your subwoofer is installed in a tight space, take it out and put it in an open area to get the desired bass.
- Little To No Sound From The Main Speaker
The sound issue in the main speaker happens when you mix up the polarity of cables as it leads to shorting of the main amp’s channel.
The only solution is to disconnect the cables and make sure the polarity of the subwoofer and speaker’s wires match the positive and negative terminals (the amp’s positive terminal should be connected to the positive terminal to the subwoofer and vice versa).