I have been having multiple problems with the ForceField 3 sub, and have become more and more frustrated, even though my dealer has been very helpful with exchanging the problem units.

My first FF3 had a seemingly over-sensitive auto-on switch. I would have to turn the volume way up on my receiver to get the sub to kick on. The replacement was a little better, but most of the difficulty disappeared when I replaced my Yamaha receiver with a new Integra. I still had to turn the volume up on occasion to activate the sub, but I could live with it. (BTW, I live in a small apartment, so I generally listen at lower volumes.) This was acceptable for about a month and a half before the sub stopped working altogether. The power light would turn on, indicating that it was receiving a signal from the receiver, but their was absolutely no output from the sub.

So I made another exchange today. The new unit sounded like there was something damaged inside. It made a raspy, static-y sound, like a torn speaker. It was also emitting a high-pitched whine. I immediately repackaged the sub and will return it tomorrow.

Am I just having an unusual streak of bad luck? I really love my SuperSat 3 surround set-up and would like to have the ForceField 3 to complete the system, but this is getting ridiculous.

- Mark

Sorry to hear of your troubles with the ForceField subwoofer. We have received no other complaints of failures on ForceField 3 units and are running well below industry standard QC failure rates. Since these subs came from the same dealer I can only guess the boxes are being mishandled in transit.

This forum is not intended to resolve product problems, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the name of your dealer so that we may provide further support.

Moderator - you had a crop of bad ForceField subwoofers hit dealers, as you reported here four months ago: www.goldenear.com/community/18-Triton-Tw...eliability-Issues#46

Last month I reported a problem I had with a ForceField sub in this thread: www.goldenear.com/community/19-SuperCine...?limit=6&start=6#208

My particular FF3 worked for less than 2 minutes before making crackling sounds and no longer producing bass. I posted on this forum to let you know, and returned the FF3 sub to the dealer. You responded - but gave me the "we haven't had any problems with FF subs so far" line.

Saying that you have had no other reports of FF sub failures is not honest and weakens the forum credibility.


*Please don't think I'm on your forum bashing your products. I purchased a SuperCinema50 system - but with a velodyne optimum sub instead of the ForceField 4.

My apologies, I thought I was talking to the same customer both times, with a second failure.

The first release of dealer demo subs had problems which were not an electronic failure as these appear to be, they were a manufacturing mechanical assembly defect.

The only reported problems that have crossed this forum are the ones you outlined (which again, I thought were all from the same customer). So I stand corrected, we now have had a couple of yet to be confirmed reports of an electronic failure of some sort.

When failures are reported through the dealer the part or product is returned for engineering inspection and evaluation of the failure. As of this time we have been given no reports from engineering to indicate there is anything other than the small percentage of random failures, as is associated with any piece of electronics. We have, however, had several reports of failures due to impact force in shipping and handling, which I expect will be the outcome of these few cases reported on the forum (since every ForceField sub is tested three times before it arrives at the dealers' store and thousands are now in the field performing perfectly).

Sure, blame it on the dealer !!

I just had a lightly driven, and even lightly used FF4 simply stop working altogether. It's less than a year old.

I pulled out the old sub I had, a small Boston Acoustics, 15 years old and driven at times because of it's size, and if fired right up.

So far, I am not pleased with the unit. It also had some fabrication flaws as well. What appears to be a decorative trim piece on the front over the screws has been coming off since I got it (insufficient contact adhesive I surmise)

I will start with the dealer and check out the level of their customer service. I will hold their feet to the fire though, as I went in the shop to buy one of thier B&W subs, and they steered me to GE, and raved about them.

So we will see.

Sure, blame it on the dealer !!

Not sure what you are talking about with that comment.

Anything that plugs in the wall has the potential for failure. As long as you have a manufacturer that supports the product and a local dealer to effect warranty repairs, all is good. We have had very few failures and LOTS of complements on the ForceField subs. Sorry your experience has been less than satisfactory. It happens...

The dealer will get a replacement amplifier module from us in a couple days after request and replace and test the sub. It will be like-new after the simple swap. As far as the cosmetic trim ring, it can be re-glued in place easily by the dealer also... apparently this was a weather-related issue that we have seen a few times and was addressed with an adhesive change long ago.