On-board subwoofer amps - limited shelf life ?

I think the problem lies with stand bye modes on afordable sub plate amplifiers many of my sub amps run hot even in stand bye, since amps on pretty much always and sub amplifiers in general dont seem to have enofe heat sink area they heat up causing early amp failers.When you look at prices that many subwoofers go for its no wonder they dont use high quality amplifiers.I have seen posts about REL amp problems but so far no velodynes.As far as replacement amps if you can find a plate amplifier that fits cut out on back of your sub you can change them out with little trouble.Madisound or parts express stock sub plate amps.

My speakers have active amplification and are 12 years old. My subwoofer has active amplification (1000 watts) and is 9 years old. Both work perfectly with never a problem.

On the other hand, I had a 240 Watt top of the line Sony power amp fail after 6 years and an HDTV top of the line Sony TV fail after 6 years.

I don't think you can generalize, however, I have stopped buying Sony products.

Why are you blaming the amps? They were both subject to abuse.

As far as the PSB subs..this is a real common thing, my neighbors burnt out.. they don't have any external heat sinking and he had his inside a cabinet (WAF).

I've owned 2 Velodynes and never had problems, but then again they were the higher end series.

Plate amps are typically cheap...and the vibrations kill the cheap amps.. but the PSB subwoofers don't have any external heatsinks and they are small subwoofers typically so they get overdriven, and they don't have any protection like Velodyne Servo Subs do...

If you don't have a 15" sub and you watch movies it's working too hard! Plus not many people calibrate their subs with AVIA or digital essentials and a sound pressure meter, or limit their subs outputs with a high end surround processor like my Meridian.

Another option is to go with some SVS subs and get a Crown K1 or K2 external amplifier .. not the tightest subs but bang for the boom..

3rd rule of subwoofers is if you want them small you have to pay to make them loud! (bigger amps, 2-3" excurision drivers and huge magnets to handle the large 1500-3000 watt Class D amps..)