Speaker Cracklin'

[savage1984]

Hey,
I've done a search and read a few threads, but didn't feel any really addressed my specific problem.
I have polk speakers and the onkyo 605 with 16 gauge wire.
I will be watching tv and i'll hear this cracklin. Like a bubblin'. And it's so annoying. What is it? I'll be more specific if I need to be.

[savage1984]

bump

[JasonR]

Have you tried banana plugs? It sounds like a loose connection. Is it from one particular speaker?

[DavePS3]

switch the speakers around or if that's difficult, just go to the back of the amp or receiver and switch the right with the left. If the same speaker crackles, it's the speaker... probably blown. If the other speaker does it after you switch them, it's the amp or receiver and needs service. In that case, the amp could have a bad IC... bad resistor, bad capacitor... bad output.

If you only get the problem when you have the amp/receiver on that particular input, your source might be bad (cable box, TV's output) but it could be a bad RCA cable. Switch those two around, that'll tell you the same thing as the speaker test. If you don't get that problem on FM or any other inputs. the source has got to be bad like I say. Also check for a bad splice in the wire - if you've joined wire onto wire to lengthen it and taped it up. In that case, move that spliced connection around while the problem is happening. If it's the splice, you'll hear it cut out or get stronger in sound.

It's all trial by error. Try each thing and keep going until you narrow down the possibilites.

[savage1984]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Have you tried banana plugs? It sounds like a loose connection. Is it from one particular speaker?

loose speakers eh... it's not one particular speaker but all of them at random times.

If you're right, then I may have to invest in some banana plugs.

[savage1984]

Originally Posted by DavePS3

switch the speakers around or if that's difficult, just go to the back of the amp or receiver and switch the right with the left. If the same speaker crackles, it's the speaker... probably blown. If the other speaker does it after you switch them, it's the amp or receiver and needs service. In that case, the amp could have a bad IC... bad resistor, bad capacitor... bad output.

If you only get the problem when you have the amp/receiver on that particular input, your source might be bad (cable box, TV's output) but it could be a bad RCA cable. Switch those two around, that'll tell you the same thing as the speaker test. If you don't get that problem on FM or any other inputs. the source has got to be bad like I say. Also check for a bad splice in the wire - if you've joined wire onto wire to lengthen it and taped it up. In that case, move that spliced connection around while the problem is happening. If it's the splice, you'll hear it cut out or get stronger in sound.

It's all trial by error. Try each thing and keep going until you narrow down the possibilites.

well the speakers and receiver aren't more than a few months old...
I am going to be moving my back speakers closer. when I do this, I may add banana plugs to the speakers.
I am just intimidated by yanking something out of my speaker, then shoving something into it (the banana plug).

[DavePS3]

Bananas wont be the solution, trust me. Check your source since all you'r stuff is only a few months old. CHeck the cable going from your source to your receiver whether it's a Toslink (fiber optic), coax or RCA's. If you don'r have the same issue on FM or Tape input... or, if you don't hear the problem when your souce is powered off, that'll tell you it's the source. That source could be a cable or satellite box, DVD player etc. If you hear the crackling on all speakers no matter what input the receiver's on, the receiver is the culprit. It's not the lack of banana plugs. I'm in the industry, trust me.

[savage1984]

Originally Posted by DavePS3

Bananas wont be the solution, trust me. Check your source since all you'r stuff is only a few months old. CHeck the cable going from your source to your receiver whether it's a Toslink (fiber optic), coax or RCA's. If you don'r have the same issue on FM or Tape input... or, if you don't hear the problem when your souce is powered off, that'll tell you it's the source. That source could be a cable or satellite box, DVD player etc. If you hear the crackling on all speakers no matter what input the receiver's on, the receiver is the culprit. It's not the lack of banana plugs. I'm in the industry, trust me.

thanks. I use an HDMI cable from my tv to my receiver. I use an hdmi cable from my HD DVR and my ps3 into my receiver. I've had the same problem when playing a blu-ray or when watching tv on my dish receiver.

[savage1984]

So it's the receiver. DAMN! That sucks...

[DavePS3]

Well, at least it's under warranty. Do you have another speaker of any kind that you can put in place of one temporarilly? If you haven't blown all the speakers, the crackling will happen on the different speaker.

[savage1984]

you think I've blown all the speakers???? I thought it was just the receiver...

[DavePS3]

If you've played them way too loud, it's a possibility but switching out one of the speakers will tell for sure.

[savage1984]

Originally Posted by DavePS3

If you've played them way too loud, it's a possibility but switching out one of the speakers will tell for sure.

hmmmm I don't have any extra speakers. This is my first surround sound system. I purchased the back speakers together, the front two together, and the center and sub separately.

The loudest I've turned my receiver was 70 with a movie with lossless audio. Is that too loud?

EDIT: also, thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it.

[DavePS3]

No sweat at all. Can you borrow a speaker from someone? It'd only take a few minutes to tell if the speakers are blown. Hard to tell on the volume you describe. It'd depend on a few things. Take the receiver in where you bought it and ask them to test it.

[savage1984]

That's a problem. I bought it from J&R through amazon.com.... so, where would be a good place to take it? Sorry if that's a stupid question.

[DavePS3]

You could ask any repair place to check it out... any authorized Onkyo repair depot... or call J&R and tell them you need it replaced.

[savage1984]

You know, the way I have my speakers wired in the back (i have the wires going into the ceiling between the speakers and the receiver). It creates a buzz. Could this buzz connected to anything other than annoyingness?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by savage1984

You know, the way I have my speakers wired in the back (i have the wires going into the ceiling between the speakers and the receiver). It creates a buzz. Could this buzz connected to anything other than annoyingness?

yeah....

You have a grounding/interference issue..... what size speaker wiring are you using? Also, is it rated "In-Wall" wire?

What speakers are they? Could be the Speaker rating etc.

[savage1984]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

yeah....

You have a grounding/interference issue..... what size speaker wiring are you using? Also, is it rated "In-Wall" wire?

What speakers are they? Could be the Speaker rating etc.

well, I kinda screwed up anyway, the speakers are too far behind and up. So I'm going to take the wire out from the ceiling and just run it down behind things in my living room. With the way everything is set up, the wires should be nearly invisible. This should eliminate any buzzing I'm assuming. Just waiting another month for my brother to come back into town to help me.

Also, the reason I mentioned it was because I was wondering if the buzzing was related to the crackling...

[savage1984]

I've actually noticed that the cracklin', though soft, only occurs when I'm watching television... when the volume it that that high... could the cable connection to the tv just be loose??? I hope... I'm gunna check as soon as I get home now!