Subwoofer failings and their use-related reasons


Inspired by the current thread "My JL Audio sub is dead. What exactly happened?," I’d like to ask more generally (i.e.: not brand specific; but you are free to answer brand specific if you so desire) about any experience-based, typical correlation between the type of use of subwoofers (I’ll make no distinction here between home theater subs and hifi dittos) and their malfunctions. The weak link in particular appears to be the plate amps mounted in the subs and blown capacitors here, and this has a tendency to happen within a few years - irrespective of the type of use, it would seem. Please correct me if I’m wrong on this.

But what about the drivers? Much has been said (theorized?) about the strain put on these units with their excursion abilities in some cases approaching 4" and the significant mechanical and thermal "stress" that follows. However, in practical use - even among the most ardent of cinephile bass-freaks - what does actual experience tell you? Unless the drivers are "blown" thermally and/or mechanically damaged, does years of more or less heavy use eventually wear them out, so to speak? Please chime in.
128x128phusis
Not all recordings are filtered. The sub is for the ones that aren't. you don't know what you're missing until you hear it finally. I listened to a big high-power Class A tube system recently that employed a 50 (count em) cubic feet subwoofer. Nothing like it, trust me.
+1 geoffkait

jon_5912 raises a great point. I went from a single 18 inch to dual 12 inch
subs. I am not unhappy with the 12's mind you, but I do miss the 18 for the very reasons jon_5912 pointed out, If I could do it again, I would have opted for a 15 or 18 inch pair. As brutal as a sub environment is,
I think generally speaking they are highly reliable.        

I've owned my pair of ACI Titan subs (12" driver; plate amp) for many years, continuously powered on, and have not had any issues (knock on wood). However: I am no bass freak, their freq. response are set with intent of being flat; I don't use them for HT, only 2-channel music; peak volume rarely exceeds 95 db; and while I play most all music genres I rarely spin any rap, electronica, or other bass-heavy type music. In other words, never abused or pushed to their limits.
All things fail most commercial offerings are designed for up to 10 years use. I design and work with many types of transducer including some of the largest and most powerful ones. Placing a amplifier and massive transducer in same cabinet is sub-optimal design and the main reason  is the vibration stress on electrical parts. Quality manufacturers address this issue to some degree but it is all about cost cutting subwoofers are hi profit items. We can sell you a MDF cube with one driver and cheap amp for a good amount of $.  The smaller the transducer and cube the more power and excursion required to produce low frequency thus more chance to fail..
I must be doing something wrong, I’ve never had a sub fail on me. Home audio, car audio, in almost 20 years of owning different models. I can see if subs are continually pushed close to their limits, or abused, then I’m sure the failure rate would go up. But that’s pretty much true of most consumer rated gear.

My strategy is typically to buy more sub(or amp, etc) than I need. Those that buy the lessor option and then overdrive it to compensate get what they deserve.