For some time I have had a rattle from time to time out of my ff3 sub. I have put it on rugs and padding and sometimes seemed to help. Tonight it rattled a little and I could always push down on it and it would stop rattling, then it would start again when I let off. I have been lowering the level on the sub to keep it from rattling, but tonight I flipped it over and checked the feet and one of the post that screw the feet in was loose. The bolt that is in the padded foot had loosened it self and was loose enough to to rattle. Tightened it up all is fixed now. I have checked it with movies and music. No rattle ! just thought I would put this out there if any one is having this issue. Hope this helps.

Interesting. Months ago I observed what I consider "improperly tightened" screws (some, not all) on my T1s. I did tighten them to what I believe is the correct torque, ensuring not to over tighten them.

However....

To me, this was and remains very concerning that - and I believe I posted this elsewhere on the forum - that I have added the activity of "screw inspection" to a yearly maintenance interval. This December I will again remove the socks and check all screws. My hope is they are all tight and if that is the case I will cease this maintenance activity. If loose I will increase the interval and/or seek another remedy.

Why a year? I picked the interval arbitrarily because I feel that after listening at all kinds of decibel levels throughout the year the screws would have ample time/reason to become loose. Not a science, an art.

I have had the same issue with the base of my Triton Ones. I was getting some occasional rattling with strong bass frequencies. I carefully laid down the Tritons and a few screws were loose. I checked my second Triton for good measure and a few were loose on that one as well. I chalked it up to frequent repositioning. If it happens again, I will likely apply some Loctite.

As a veteran of this industry (40+ years now), I can tell you that shipping is the culprit when it comes to loose screws. The type of vibrations and shocks associated with product shipping, regardless of packaging (and everyone knows the Tritons are packed extremely well) are unlike anything the product will receive in normal use. I have seen this shipping related vibration and shock walk cover screws completely out of electronics products. I have seen products show up with loose screws and screws floating around in the bottom of the box literally 1000s of times. I have absolutely no doubt these were properly tightened during assembly. In some cases they were from factories that I had first hand knowledge (meaning I watched the screws being torqued).

If you're a passionate hobbyist, check and tighten the easily accessible screws on everything you get new. I do. If I check a few and they are all tight, I stop. If I find a loose one, I check them all. Loctite type products for metal-to-metal connections should be avoided as they are more likely to cause damage should disassembly be necessary for service. Same for any kind of adhesive on wood screws.

T Cobe –

I never even thought to check the screw tensions on the base. The idea of setting the Triton on its side in order to do an inspection is unappealing to say the least. Do you have a recommendation for determining whether or not the base screws are tight while the speaker is upright?

Thanks.

Moderator, thanks for chiming in. I too would be reluctant to use Loctite or any adhesive, chemical, etc. Good point about Loctite being a potential problem if there is a need to remove the screw later on. I’ll grant you that shipping was/is the likely cause of their becoming loose in the first place. I tightened all the screws except those supporting/holding the base and the ones closest to the bottom of the base on the passive radiators and front cage. I’m fairly confident that when I do an inspection the ones I previously tightened will have remained that way. However, I would have to think that playing music at loud volumes and at the right frequencies could also cause them to become loose, but I’m hopeful that hasn’t happened.