Clipping is when you use an amp past it'* abilities. It'* still amplifiying the sound more, but it'* cut off. See picture below. The sound wave is being amplified in the picture, but it'* above the amplifiers Peak output. (top and bottom lines, middle = no signal) When it passes the peak out put it clips the peak or trough of the wave off, and this is one of the QUICKEST ways to kill any speaker. This is how underpowering a speaker can cause severe damage.

If clipping is severe enough it mimics DC power if i remember correctly.

yes EXACTLY ^^^^ when a speaker is operating in on DC current (flat peak) the voice coil acts just like a resistior and burns itself out, and sometimes when an amp dies, it stops switching and pours pure DC through the VC ( yo ) For some reason your sub may have come apart inside. Its just epoxy holding the cone to the voice coil. I have a sony sub (no comments necessary lol) and it sounds like it rattling inside, but sometimes it will magically 'heal' and sound fine for a while. Does the sub still work? If it does you can always sell it to some dope who thinks that a lot of rattles means its loud.

Sound like a loose tinsel lead to me. Take to sub out and double check them. It is either a broken/loose wire-to-spider and/or wire-to-terminal connection.

Was an idea I had, but it sounds too metallic for that IMO. And it doesn't cut out at all. Maybe part of the winding is loose in the Voice Coil, or a pole came loose.... This car hasn't been driven in 6 months really, and probably won't be much until summer either, so it'* not ahuge problem.. Hell maybe i could give it a firey death from my DEI amp.

Good Luck in whatever you do! It is always fun to hear that last note and see/smell a speaker fry. I guess it is like when a monster truck flips over and totally trashes the body - nothing better!

Well in 1 week from well, right now, i'll be installing new ball joints in the Bonne, so it may not be needed then, however my bro was in on this install so i may wait till the weekend when i bring him home for mom'* bday (surprise!!)