The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·96105·Announced 1996-04-17

Cambridge SoundWorks Recalls 6,450 Powered Subwoofers for Overheating Risk

Cambridge SoundWorks is recalling 6,450 Powered Subwoofer loudspeakers that may overheat and cause internal ignition. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard (internal ignition) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the rubric for risk-of-harm products without reported injury.

Plain-English summary

Cambridge SoundWorks Inc. is recalling 6,450 "Powered Subwoofer" loudspeakers in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recalled speakers may overheat, which can cause the internal speaker cone to ignite. The company has received four reports of the loudspeakers overheating to cause internal damage to the product only. There have been no reports of injury or property damage involving these loudspeakers.

The loudspeakers were sold nationwide for between $599 and $700 beginning in June 1992. They were distributed through Cambridge SoundWorks' catalogue, retail stores in New England and northern California, and Best Buy stores. The speakers are used in stereo and home theater sound systems to reproduce deep bass notes.

Consumers should stop using and unplug their "Powered Subwoofer" immediately. Cambridge SoundWorks will provide a kit with two new fuses and installation instructions to prevent overheating. Consumers who purchased the product through the company's catalog or retail stores can repair the speakers at home by replacing the original fuse. Best Buy customers will receive a $30 rebate along with the replacement fuse and instructions. For more information, consumers can call Cambridge SoundWorks at (800) 367-4434 or write to 311 Needham Street, Newton, Mass. 02164, Attn: Fred Pinkerton, Product Manager.

The recalled product

Product
Cambridge SoundWorks Powered Subwoofer loudspeakers
Manufacturer
Best Buy
Category
Consumer Product — Audio Equipment
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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