Bryn De KocksIf you’re dealing with the frustration of crackling speakers, you’re not alone. This is a common problem and can occur with all different types of speakers, even headphones. In this article, we’ll help you identify why your speakers are crackling and how to effectively troubleshoot and fix the issue.
The Importance of Taking Action Quickly
I know you may be tempted to keep using your speaker while the problem occurs, but you should refrain from doing this as it can further damage it, increasing your repair costs and reducing the likelihood of an easy resolution. You may even end up damaging your amplifier over time.
Identifying & Troubleshooting The Problem
Differentiating the type of crackle the speaker is producing, can give us an indication of what’s causing the problem. Before going into the troubleshooting process, let’s find out which type of sound your speaker is making and what the most likely causes are. I’ve broken the troubleshooting process up into three types, as the methods used are different, depending on what speaker you’re having problems with.
Check Your Warranty
Troubleshooting your problem may mean opening the device up and inspecting it for damage. Always make sure that you’re not within your warranty periods before taking apart your product. The best thing to do if you’re under warranty is to troubleshoot as much as possible without opening the speaker or headphones and note your findings.
Then file for a warranty claim and specify your findings, this will help the retailer or manufacturer identify the cause and potentially speed up your replacements or repairs.
Troubleshooting Bluetooth Speakers
Since Bluetooth speakers are wireless, they are slightly easier to troubleshoot. This is also aided by the fact that they are usually easy to open up and inspect, without needing a background in engineering or DIY electronics. These are the most common types of crackling Bluetooth speakers suffer from.
Intermittent Crackling
The most common cause of intermittent crackling when using a Bluetooth speaker is its Bluetooth connection. Range and clear line of sight are two of the most common reasons, though interference with other wireless devices can cause similar problems.
How to troubleshoot
- To troubleshoot, move the speaker directly in front of your source device (within a few feet) to see if there is an issue with the Bluetooth range
- Ensure that there aren’t any walls or large objects between your phone and the speaker that could be blocking its connection
- Remove the speaker and source device out of range of other wireless devices that may be interfering
- Lower the volume to see whether the crackling is coming from the speaker being too loud
How to fix: In cases where these steps fail to fix the problem, you will need to open up the speaker and take a look at the internal components. Most Bluetooth speakers can be opened easily and checking that the drivers are still in good condition takes just a few minutes. In most cases, if the drivers are damaged it’s a better choice to buy a new speaker than it is to try to fix it unless you’re comfortable doing the work yourself and avoiding the costs of a repairman.
Hissing or Static
Hissing or static can be another sign of wireless interference or indicate sub-par manufacturing. While most household brands don’t suffer from this problem, some budget alternatives may.
How to troubleshoot
- Read reviews of the speaker you’re using to rule out a widespread and inherent design flaw
- Move the speaker and source device outside and test it away from other wireless signals
- Ensure the speaker is within range of the phone, test with it just a few feet away
How to fix: In cases where interference is the problem, you’ll need to remove the source of the interference. Otherwise, if the problem is common with that model of speaker, your only real option is to upgrade to a speaker of higher quality.
Less Common Causes
Popping or Thumping: The most common cause of popping and thumping is if you’re pushing the limits on the range of your Bluetooth. Insufficient range can create a variety of popping, thumping, and crackling sounds. Additionally, this problem can be caused by the internal amplifier.
Rattling or Vibrating: Rattling and vibrating is typically a sign of bad construction or a loose internal component. Opening up the speaking may identify the source of the rattle, but fixing it may be challenging.
Troubleshooting Home Audio
We invest a lot of money into our home audio, and when speakers start to crackle or distort, it can be very alarming. Don’t worry, there’s usually an affordable fix. Let’s take a look at the different types of problems these speakers can encounter and how to fix them.
Constant Crackling
Because home audio is often powered by separate amplifiers and the speakers frequently form a part of a larger audio system, constant crackling is a common symptom of old cables, improperly fitted connections, and occasionally damaged internal components. While the more likely cause is someone accidentally pulling on a wire while cleaning, one should give the speaker a thorough inspection until the fault is found.
How to troubleshoot
- First, inspect all cable connections and ensure they are fastened correctly and not frayed.
- Where possible, try different wires and see if that resolves the problem.
- Check your amplifiers, pre-amps, or any other components that exist between your source and speaker.
- Take the grilles off the speakers and inspect for damage to the drivers.
- Rule out possible interference from other devices.
- If you’re running your wires in walls or ceiling spaces, check for damage from pests, such as gnawed wires from rats.
How to fix: If you find the problem lies with the wired connection, re-establish a solid connection if the wires aren’t secured properly. If wires are frayed, replace them with new high-quality speaker wires. In the rare case that there is a problem with your amplifier, we recommend taking it to an audio repairman who can find the problem and provide a quote, though in some cases it may be more expensive to fix than to replace.
Vibrations & Rattling
Most commonly the sound of vibration or rattling is caused by the speaker moving objects around it or moving slightly on the surface it’s placed on. Loose internal components can cause the same sound but are less common. In rare cases, the woofer cone may have been damaged.
How to troubleshoot
- To rule out the speaker moving around causing vibrations, place them on some towels and see if the problem persists.
- ITry to identify other objects near the speaker, particularly lighter ones, that may be moving cause of the sound waves.
- Open up the speaker and check that the drivers are in good shape and that there are no signs of loose screws or internal components. The driver can be exposed by simply removing the speaker grille (if it has one).
- You can also try gently shaking the speaker to listen for potentially loose internal components.
How to fix: In the best-case scenario, just moving your speaker around and adjusting some of your decor will stop the rattling sound. If it doesn’t, you may need to open up the speaker and check for damage, damaged woofers are only worth replacing on high-end speakers – but finding a loose screw could prove a quick and easy fix.
Distortion
Incompatible power sources most often cause distortion. Amplifiers improperly matched to the speakers’ power handling will often sound distorted. Usually when the amp isn’t providing the speakers with enough power to drive them. Additionally, you may be trying to drive your speakers too hard.
How to troubleshoot
- Check the impedance and power of your speakers and ensure the amplifier is accurately matched.
- Where possible, try and use another amplifier to see if the problem exists there too, this will allow you to narrow down if the issue is occurring in the speaker or the amp.
- Lower the volume of your speakers and see if that resolves the issue, it could be that the speakers are being pushed too hard.
How to fix: If you determine that the amplifier is incorrectly matched to your speakers, you’ll need to either replace the speakers or the amplifier and ensure they are correctly matched.
Less Common Causes
Feedback or Squealing: While feedback isn’t very common in home audio setups, it can still occur if there’s a microphone system connected to it or if speakers are placed too close to one another in a multi-room setup.
Troubleshooting Headphones
It’s common for headphones to experience crackling noises, especially over time as components and cables wear down. That’s why we strongly urge consumers to buy headphones with replaceable cables, it can save you a lot of money in the long term. These are the most common causes, and how to troubleshoot them.
Constant or Intermittent Crackling
This is the most common problem for headphone users, a crackling sound that can be constant or come and go. Usually, it is intermittent and occurs when you move your head to one side, and will often only occur on one side of the headset. Nine times out of ten, this problem is caused by a damaged wire or loose connection between the wire and the headphone connection.
How to troubleshoot
- Gentle move the wire around and see if you can cause it to crackle, if it does – the problem lies within the cable or cable connection.
- If you’re using wireless headphones, move the source device (such as a phone or laptop) closer to the headphones to rule out Bluetooth range problems.
- If your earphones have removable earpads, take them off and see if you can spot any damage to the driver cone.
How to fix: In most cases, you’ll need to replace or repair the wire. Check to see if your headphones support removable cables, if they do – replacements are an affordable first step to try to fix them. You can also try to repair broken wires yourself, but it’s likely to lower the aesthetic quality as you’ll likely need to tape the area. In many cases, the problem occurs where the wire connects to the headphones themselves and can be more challenging to repair, in these cases most consumers take the loss and see it as an opportunity to upgrade.
Distortion
Distortion typically occurs when the headphones aren’t being powered correctly or when there is a problem with the driver. Another common cause is low build quality, which tends to occur in budget headphones more so than premium ones.
How to troubleshoot
- Check the technical specs of your headphones to ensure they are receiving enough power, high impedance headphones (50 Ohms or higher) can become distorted when plugged into a device that doesn’t have the power to drive the headphones.
- Try turning the volume down a bit. If the headphones become less distorted, it could imply low-quality manufacturing.
- Where possible, look to see if the driver has been damaged at all.
How to fix: If you find your headphones aren’t being powered sufficiently by your source device, first test them on a computer that tends to have a higher output, or you can try and use a USB DAC which will be able to drive higher impedance headphones correctly.
If you find that the drivers are damaged, in most cases there isn’t a viable fix, and replacing them will be the best option.
Less Common
Popping or Thumping: This issue is less common but indicates a more severe problem with the headphones, and one that is often hard to resolve.
Rattling or Vibrating: While uncommon, rattling or vibrating may occur after accidentally dropping your headphones. It’s most commonly caused by broken plastic within the earcups and is challenging to repair.
Should You Attempt To DIY Or Take It To A Repairman?
DIY isn’t for everyone and even those who have some experience in audio equipment need to know where their limits lie. If at any point you’re uncomfortable with the process needed to diagnose and repair the problem, take it to a professional instead. But first, check to make sure your product isn’t still under warranty.
Conclusion
Hearing crackling noises from your speakers or headphones is not uncommon, especially for older devices. In most cases, cables are the source of your worries, which can easily be tested and repaired. However, in other situations, more extensive troubleshooting may be required. We wish you luck in resolving your problem!
