How Do Speakers Go Bad? (Answered)

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Before delving into complex repairs, it’s essential to attentively listen to your speakers. Strange noises that seem out of place with the audio track could suggest a burned-out voice coil, usually characterized by a high-pitched noise not present in a functioning system.

Speakers degrade over time due to various mechanical and environmental factors. Specifically, the surround/suspension that links the speaker cone or diaphragm to the frame or housing can experience mechanical wear and tear, leading to diminished performance. Prolonged exposure to environmental elements can also hasten the deterioration of speakers. Additionally, constant exposure to high-intensity audio signals can cause wear on the electrical parts of the speaker, eventually leading to failure.

Checking Wire Connectivity with a Voltmeter

Another common cause of speaker issues is improper wire connection. Use a voltmeter to check each speaker individually. If power is flowing but a crackling noise is heard from the amplifier system, this could point to a loose connection, possibly due to damaged or aged connectors, corrosion, or shorted wires.

Importance of Proper Speaker Connection

Crackling sound issues can also stem from a misconnected speaker. An improperly secured mounting bracket or a completely disconnected speaker can cause unwanted movement, potentially leading to a broken voice coil and resultant crackling sounds.

Potential Role of Improper Equalizer Settings

If there’s no distortion or crackling heard, the problem may lie in the equalizer settings. Lowering them could help resolve the issue. Incorrect settings might be sending sound signals only to certain speakers, leading to an imbalance in the audio output.

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Physical Damage and Its Consequences on Speakers

Physical damage, such as blown-out speakers, could compromise the audio quality. Although this is not a major concern unless there’s damage to the speaker cone, which cannot be fixed with special speaker sealers.

Overloading and Material Quality: The Hidden Culprits

One of the prime reasons for speakers to blow out is overload from playing music too loudly for extended periods or at excessively high volume levels. Material quality and external factors such as exposure to intense vibrations from roads can also play a significant role. Mechanical failures might also occur due to small suspension-type drivers being pushed too far by their voice coil, leading to wear-and-tear damages to other components.

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