Buzzes and crackles are never welcomed when listening to your favorite songs. However, static sounds in speakers are more than just a mere cause of irritation and annoyance. Random noises bursting out of nowhere can end up damaging your speakers as they are pushed way beyond their design limits.
While there are lots of possible culprits behind static in speakers, you may be able to clear up the issue I you invest some time in basic troubleshooting. Static noise in your speakers can ruin your listening experience with a snap of a finger. The good news is that you can easily fix some of the most common causes of this problem.
The static sound coming from your speakers may be the result of three things, namely:
- Damaged parts and wires
- Interference
- Loose wires
To check and address these problems, you can try doing the following:
Replace any damaged or worn connectors. Don’t forget to check the speaker cones for any tears and repair or replace the damaged ones.
Use cable sleeves to shield the speakers and prevent interference or use a cord concealer running along the wall to isolate them from the rest of the cables. A static or buzz may also occur because of a ground loop, and you can solve this if you plug all the connected equipment into one surge protector power strip.
Check for loose connections on the speaker connectors and wires. See to it that all the cables or wires fit firmly.
Continue reading below to learn more about how to get rid of static sound in speakers:
Inspect for Damage to the Speakers
Speaker damage is one of the most common causes of static. An average speaker features a paper cone that vibrates to generate sound. The moment this cone suffers from a tear, you might hear numerous audio problems such as a constant hiss, distorted sound, and static.
The sad news here is that it is not always a feasible option to replace the cone itself. If you got some skills in tinkering or soldering electronics, you may try to replace your damaged speaker with no need to replace the whole enclosure. It is a cost-effective way to fix 3-way or 2-way speakers with only one damaged cone.
Look for a bare speaker that is similar to your damaged one. Make sure you match the impedance, wattage, and size. To replace your speaker, all you have to do is detach it from its enclosure and cut the negative and positive wires that run to the circuit board with audio inputs. The wires can be soldered to your new speaker. Complete the job by screwing it in place.
On the other hand, if you don’t like the idea of replacing your speaker within the enclosure, your next best option is to replace the whole speaker unit or find a professional audio technician who can repair it for you.
Check the Speaker Connectors and Wires
A loose connection is probably the most common cause of static sound in speakers. To fix this, the first thing you should do is check every single connection. You might notice how the static increases every time you try wiggling the wires. It is an indication that there might be an issue with the connection.
Depending on the specific type of speakers, bare speaker wires, RCA connectors, or banana connectors connect the speakers to the receiver or amplifier. The moment one of these connections becomes loose, you can almost always expect to hear static as well as other problems with the audio, like a popping sound or a quieter input.
Bare speaker wires might become loose if you often reposition your speakers. Take off the wires and make sure that enough of them is exposed over the shielding to form a solid connection. You can try using a wire stripper if the ends are already gnarled to get rid of about one inch of shielding so that more of the wire will be exposed.
For speakers using cables with connectors, see to it that you firmly position the connectors in the ports at the rear of the speakers and the receiver or amplifier. Buy a brand-new set of RCA audio cables or replace any loose banana connectors.
Isolate Your Audio Equipment and Speakers to Avoid Interference
In addition to speaker damage and faulty connections, static sound in your speakers may also come from interference. The electrical signals coming from the rest of the cables can generate static once the wires of the speaker cross. It is more common if you are dealing with speaker wires with thin shielding.
Proper management of cables can help keep away the speaker wires from any possible sources of interference. Make sure the cables are rearranged to prevent them from crossing paths. If it is not a feasible option because of the placement of the equipment or the layout of the room, you can use a cable sleeve to cover the wires of the speaker or keep them hidden on the wall using an on-wall cable concealer.
A ground loop is another possible cause of interference that usually generates a loud buzz or hum. This ground loop is formed if there are several connected devices with different AC outlets powering them. For instance, your TV might be plugged into one AC outlet while your amplifier is plugged into another. You might notice a ground loop hum after you connect the TV’s audio output to the amplifier’s input.
To avoid any ground loop, make sure that all of your media and audio equipment are plugged into one surge protector power strip. Doing so will get rid of the ground loop as it prevents the ground from traveling through the rest of the cables.
The Bottom Line
Static sound in speakers may have several common causes. The good news is that you can follow the tips above to get the problem fixed in no time at all so you can enjoy your favorite sounds without any annoyance or irritation.