Tech Support

Thiele/Small" commonly refers to a set of electromechanical parameters that define the specified low frequency performance of a loudspeaker driver. These parameters are published in specification sheets by driver manufacturers so that designers have a guide in selecting off-the-shelf drivers for loudspeaker designs. Many of the parameters are strictly defined only at the resonant frequency, but the approach is generally applicable in the frequency range where the diaphragm motion is largely pistonic, i.e. when the entire cone moves in and out as a unit without cone breakup.

Using these parameters, a loudspeaker designer may simulate the position, velocity and acceleration of the diaphragm, the input impedance and the sound output of a system comprising a loudspeaker and enclosure. Rather than purchase off-the-shelf components, loudspeaker design engineers often define desired performance and work backwards to a set of parameters and manufacture a driver with said characteristics or order it from a driver manufacturer. This process of generating parameters from a target response is known as synthesis. Thiele/Small parameters are named after A. Neville Thiele of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, and Richard H. Small of the University of Sydney, who pioneered this line of analysis for loudspeakers. These measurements are also used for designing enclosures for Subwoofers.

FUSION Electronics offers a limited one year warranty on all car audio products - ensuring all FUSION speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, active enclosures, bass packs, head units or accessories are free from defects in material and workmanship, accirding to the following terms and conditions:
 

• The limited warranty for the FUSION product purchased extends to the first twelve (12) months beginning on the date of purchase of the product.
• The limited warranty extends only to the original consumer purchaser (consumer) of the product and is not assignable or transferable to any subsequent purchaser/end user.
• The limited warranty extends only to consumers who purchase the product in one of the countries (or areas) set forth on www. fusionelectronics.com. The limited warranty is   only valid in FUSION’S intended country (or area) of sale of the product.
• During the limited warranty period, FUSION or its authorised service network will repair  or replace, at FUSION or FUSION’S authorised dealer, any defective product or parts thereof with new and return the product to the consumer in working condition. No charge will be made to the consumer for either parts or labour in repairing or replacing   the product. All replaced parts and cosmetic parts should be free of defects at the time of shipment and, therefore shall not be covered under these limited warranty terms.
• Repaired product will be warranted for the balance of the original warranty period or for ninety (90) days from the date of repair, whichever is longer.
• All warranty claims must be accompanied with a copy of this warranty card, and a copy of proof of purchase date.

The consumer shall have no coverage or benefits under this limited warranty if any of the following conditions are applicable:

• The product has been subject to: abnormal use, abnormal conditions, improper storage, exposure to   excessive moisture or dampness, exposure to excessive temperature or other such environmental conditions, unauthorised modifications, unauthorised connections, unauthorised repair including but not limited to use of unauthorised spare parts in repairs, misuse, neglect, abuse, accident, alteration, improper installation, acts of God, spill of foods or liquids, maladjustment of customer controls or other   acts which are beyond the reasonable control of FUSION, including deficiencies in consumable parts such as fuses, and breakage or damage to antennae unless caused directly by defects in materials or workmanship, and normal wear and tear of the product.
• FUSION was not notified by the consumer of the alleged defect or malfunction of the product during the applicable limited warranty period.
• The product serial number or the accessory date code has been removed, defaced or altered.
• The product was used with or connected to an accessory not supplied by FUSION or fit for use with FUSION product, or used in a manner other than its intended use.

If a problem develops during the limited warranty period, the consumer should take the following step-by-step procedure:
1.The consumer shall return the product to the place of purchase for repair or replacement processing.
2.The consumer shall also be charged for any parts or labour charges not covered by this limited warranty. The consumer shall be responsible for expenses related to
reinstallation of the product.
3.If the product is returned to FUSION after the expiration of the warranty period, FUSION’s normal service policies shall apply   and the consumer will be charged accordingly.

THE BENEFITS CONFERRED BY THIS LIMITED WARRANTY APPLY TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE NOT SUPERCEDED BY ANY OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UNDER ANY APPLICABLE LEGISLATION THAT CANNOT BE EXCLUDED. OTHERWISE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY IS EXCLUDED AND THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS THE PURCHASER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, FUSION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR A LOSS OF ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OR PROFITS, OUT OF USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT.

• Some states in America do not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights which may vary from state to state.
• FUSION neither assumes nor authorises any authorised service centre or any person or entity to assume for it any other obligation or liability beyond that which is expressly provided for in this warranty.
• All warranty information, product features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

The main difference between single voice coil subs and dual voice coil subs is the ability to configure the wiring on DVC subs to present a variety of different loads to your amplifier which in turn can deliver more power. This is an advantage when using D class  or lower impedance amplifiers   

Single Voice Coil

A single voice coil (SVC) sub has one coil which utilizes a length of insulated copper wire wound onto a circular former with one positive (+) and one negative (- ) terminal.  Most  M

Most SVC subwoofers have a 4Ohm Impedance.

Dual Voice Coil

A dual voice coil (DVC) sub has two separate coils of insulated copper wire wound on top of each other on the former and has two positive (+) and two negative (- ) terminals, one pair for each coil.  

Dual 2 Ohm coils are  the   most popular for presenting a 1 Ohm load to a D Class amplifier.

The first thing to do is check that your amplifier is not in protection. If it is, this could be a sign that you have a problem with your sub or amp. The easiest way to check if your sub is causing your amp to go into Protection is to disconnect the sub and power up the amp. If it does not go into protection with it disconnected your sub is the problem. Check for a burnt smell, then try and move the cone gently by pressing down In the centre to see if it has seized or Is rubbing. It should move freely if the coil is not damaged. If when you disconnect the sub the amp still goes into protection there is every reason to suspect your amp may have an internal fault. Unfortunately this does not mean your sub is guaranteed to be fault free as the amp May have suffered as a result of the sub failing or visa versa so at this point we would Recommend that you return either one or both of the units to your place of purchase for inspection by the authorised dealer under the warranty Provision of the product (if applicable).

The main cause of subwoofer failure is overdriving or driving a clipped or distorted signal continuously to your sub. This can result in a mechanical or electrical 
failure. With electrical failure the result is normally a burnt voice coil causing the sub to go open circuit or in some cases short circuit to ground.

It is important to match the “RMS” ratings of your sub to your amplifier to avoid overdriving. Clipping or distortion is the audible sign of an unclean signal and this can originate from any piece of equipment in the signal chain. What this means is you may be only driving your amplifier at say half power yet your head unit/source may be driving at close to it’s maximum output which could be supplying a clipped or distorted signal to the amp thus creating the audible distortion you hear.

Mechanical failure is when the spider or butyl surround rips or tears or sometimes the voice coil jumps the gap. What we mean by jumps the gap is that when  the sub is being mechanically overdriven it can result in over excursion or over travel. This result is the voice coil leaves the gap that it travels in and results in failure.

 Mechanical  failures in general are all symptoms of over excursion which can be caused by having the wrong size enclosure and or overdriving. It is very important to follow the recommended enclosure volumes to ensure the optimum performance of your sub and to protect it from these types of failures. Another important fact is the port length and diameter in relation to the tuning of the enclosure as this also could adversely affect performance and reliability.
 

    My speakers are 300 watts “MAX” and 90 watts “Rated Power” what size amp     
    do I need to drive them to achieve the best performance.  
  
 

 . When you are choosing an amplifier to drive speakers or a Subwoofer you should  
    use the “RMS” per channel ratings(Amplifier) and the “Rated Power”

   (Speaker/Subwoofer) as the reference for your choice. Always define which
    ratings you are comparing and try and get them as close as you can.                                                                                                     

    “Max/Peak” Power Rating
    The “MAX/PEAK” power rating of a speaker is the amount of power
    that the speaker can handle in short bursts or peaks without causing
    permanent damage to the voice coil.If this rating is exceeded constantly
    you will risk burning the voice coil.
 
     “Rated Power” Power Rating  
     The “Rated Power” rating of the speaker is generally considered to be the
     nominal constant power that the speaker will handle continuously
     without causing damage.
 
     Therefore if your speakers are rated at 90 watts (Rated Power) you should drive   
     them with an amplifier that is capable of supplying 90 watts RMS per
     Channel or as close to that as possible. That is not to say that an amp
     capable of a higher output cannot be used if the amplifier settings are
     managed responsibly realising the potential to overdrive your speakers
     exists. This rule also applies to using an amplifier that is under driving
     your speakers. Constantly driving a distorted signal from an overdriven  
     Source to your speakers can cause damage to the voice coils
 

The first thing to do is check that your amplifier is not in protection. If it is, this could be a sign that you have a problem with your sub or amp. The easiest way to check if your sub is causing your amp to go into Protection is to disconnect the sub and power up the amp. If it does not  go into protection with it disconnected your sub is the problem. Check for a burnt smell, or try and move the cone gently by pressing down In the centre to see if it has seized or Is rubbing. It should move freely if the coil is not damaged. If when you disconnect the sub the amp still goes into protection there is every reason to suspect your amp may have an internal fault. Unfortunately this does not mean your sub is guaranteed to be fault free as the amp May have suffered as a result of the sub failing or visa versa so at this point we would Recommend that you return either one or both of the units to your place of purchase for inspection by the authorised dealer under the warranty Provision of the product (if applicable)