GMG Classical Music Forum

The Back Room => The Diner => Topic started by: George on September 09, 2007, 10:01:17 AM

Title: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: George on September 09, 2007, 10:01:17 AM
I lately have noticed a buzzing noise on one of my home speakers and they are only a couple of years old.   :-[

It only occurs at certain frequencies, maybe only only on historical recordings.

The noise comes from the back of the speaker.

Anyone else have this problem?
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: 71 dB on September 09, 2007, 10:24:13 AM
Quote from: George on September 09, 2007, 10:01:17 AM
I lately have noticed a buzzing noise on one of my home speakers and they are only a couple of years old.   :-[

It only occurs at certain frequencies, maybe only only on historical recordings.

The noise comes from the back of the speaker.

Anyone else have this problem?

What kind of system do you have? Active or passive speakers? What do you mean the noise comes from the back of the speaker?  ???

Maybe the speaker got a "historical recordings allergy"  ;D
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: Choo Choo on September 09, 2007, 10:24:28 AM
Quote from: George on September 09, 2007, 10:01:17 AM
I lately have noticed a buzzing noise on one of my home speakers and they are only a couple of years old.   :-[

It only occurs at certain frequencies, maybe only only on historical recordings.

The noise comes from the back of the speaker.

Anyone else have this problem?

You appear to be describing a mechanical resonance.  The speaker cabinet will transmit some frequencies more strongly than others, and if e.g. one of the connectors round the back had managed to work loose then you might find it rattle in tune with certain notes.

I would suggest Step #1 should be to tighten everything up that can be tightened up (don't forget under the speaker.)
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: 71 dB on September 09, 2007, 10:26:52 AM
Quote from: Choo Choo on September 09, 2007, 10:24:28 AM
You appear to be describing a mechanical resonance.  The speaker cabinet will transmit some frequencies more strongly than others, and if e.g. one of the connectors round the back had managed to work loose then you might find it rattle in tune with certain notes.

I would suggest Step #1 should be to tighten everything up that can be tightened up (don't forget under the speaker.)

That's a good advice. I though of mechanical resonances too but George gave so little information about the problem...
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: Choo Choo on September 09, 2007, 10:29:57 AM
Yes, it may turn out not to be a mechanical resonance after all, but it's an easy place to start.  Eliminate the obvious first.
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: Harry on September 09, 2007, 10:42:19 AM
Once in a while you have to fasten the screws of the speakers, they get loose after a few years of use.
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: George on September 09, 2007, 11:10:38 AM
Quote from: Choo Choo on September 09, 2007, 10:24:28 AM
You appear to be describing a mechanical resonance.  The speaker cabinet will transmit some frequencies more strongly than others, and if e.g. one of the connectors round the back had managed to work loose then you might find it rattle in tune with certain notes.

I would suggest Step #1 should be to tighten everything up that can be tightened up (don't forget under the speaker.)

Thanks, I just tightened up the only four screws on the back of the speaker. Hope this remedies the problem.  :)
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: head-case on September 09, 2007, 01:09:24 PM
Quote from: George on September 09, 2007, 11:10:38 AM
Thanks, I just tightened up the only four screws on the back of the speaker. Hope this remedies the problem.  :)
With a little luck that may solve it, but speaker cabinets tend to have a lot of parts held together by glue, etc, which can give way.  You might have a legitimate claim for replacement.  Who is the manufacturer, if I may ask?
 
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: George on September 09, 2007, 01:10:09 PM
Quote from: head-case on September 09, 2007, 01:09:24 PM
With a little luck that may solve it, but speaker cabinets tend to have a lot of parts held together by glue, etc, which can give way.  You might have a legitimate claim for replacement.  Who is the manufacturer, if I may ask?
 

Polk Audio. 
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: head-case on September 09, 2007, 01:14:02 PM
Quote from: George on September 09, 2007, 01:10:09 PM
Polk Audio. 

I see, I have some polk speakers as well (which I like).  Which model?
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: George on September 09, 2007, 01:14:45 PM
Quote from: head-case on September 09, 2007, 01:14:02 PM
I see, I have some polk speakers as well (which I like).  Which model?


Monitor 40s (cherry case.)
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: head-case on September 09, 2007, 04:35:27 PM
Quote from: George on September 09, 2007, 01:14:45 PM
Monitor 40s (cherry case.)
I see, I have a RTi70's and LSi9's.
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: George on September 09, 2007, 05:12:10 PM
Quote from: head-case on September 09, 2007, 04:35:27 PM
I see, I have a RTi70's and LSi9's.


Those are higher end units, right?
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: DavidW on September 10, 2007, 03:46:55 AM
Could you have blown a tweeter?  If you have three way speakers, it's possible that it was the high frequency tweeter, which is why you only hear the humming off and on depending on the frequency.
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: Saul on September 10, 2007, 03:48:44 AM
put your cell phone away from the speakers.
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: head-case on September 10, 2007, 08:30:11 AM
Quote from: George on September 09, 2007, 05:12:10 PM
Those are higher end units, right?
The RTi70 is a mid-line floor standing speaker that I have in a 2-channel system, the LSi9 is a higher line bookshelf speaker which I have in the surround sound setup.

Did the screw tightening help anything?  Is the sound distinctly coming from the back?  Is it coming out of the rear vent?  If it is coming from the vent I'd guess something came loose on one of your woofers.  If it is not from the vent, probably the enclosure is rattling.  In any case, Polk Audio has a 5 year warranty (parts and labor).
Title: Re: Buzzing Noise on the Back of My Home Speaker
Post by: George on September 10, 2007, 01:20:27 PM
Quote from: head-case on September 10, 2007, 08:30:11 AM
The RTi70 is a mid-line floor standing speaker that I have in a 2-channel system, the LSi9 is a higher line bookshelf speaker which I have in the surround sound setup.

Did the screw tightening help anything?  Is the sound distinctly coming from the back?  Is it coming out of the rear vent?  If it is coming from the vent I'd guess something came loose on one of your woofers.  If it is not from the vent, probably the enclosure is rattling.  In any case, Polk Audio has a 5 year warranty (parts and labor).


That's very good to know, thanks. The sound is definitely coming from the back. At the moment, it has stopped.  :)