How To Fix A Blown Speaker

The non-technical term ‘blown speaker’ is used to describe a speaker that is not working correctly or one that appears to be malfunctioning. When you are in the middle of listening to your favorite song, poor quality, crackly audio or a lack of audio altogether is going to be rather problematic. 

You will be pleased to know that you do not need to give up on your speaker and invest in a new one straight away as it is possible to fix a blown speaker. In doing so, you will not be faced with any more disruptions and normal audio quality will return. Moreover, repairing a blown speaker does not require a huge amount of skill and can be done fairly easily. 

Below, we have highlighted each step involved in the process of fixing a blown speaker.

Step 1 – Identify the blown speaker

First, you will need to identify the speaker that is causing the problem. Your setup is going to influence how you go about doing this. If you have a standard setup you will likely be able to tell just by looking at the speaker, however, speakers that are covered make this task a little more challenging.

You can either use the balance control feature to shift the balance between speakers using the equalizer and pinpoint where the sound is lost. Alternatively, you can play some audio and turn the volume up as you do so. As the volume increases it will likely become easier to detect deterioration in the sound quality.

Should you decide to locate the problematic speaker using the second method, you need to ensure that you do not overdo it as you may inflict unnecessary damage on the other speaker. Once you know which speaker is causing the problem you can move onto the next step. 

Step 2 – Locate the problem and disassemble the speaker

Now that you have identified the speaker that you suspect is causing the problem, you will need to locate the issue itself. Before you start to disassemble the different components, you should confirm that it is definitely responsible for the problem. 

If your speaker has a fabric covering, you will need to remove it taking care not to damage it. After doing so, the issue will then likely become more apparent. Furthermore, use a screwdriver to take off the metal faceplate (if your speaker has one). 

Next, you will need to remove the speaker from the case. If the speaker in question is in your car, you will need to make sure that the ignition and audio player is switched off. Attempting to fix the speaker when the battery is still operating presents several risks. 

Step 3 – Remove the components

Once you have taken the speaker out of its housing, there are other components that you can start to remove. They include the cone and the voice coil. There should also be two wires; one that is red and another that is black. Before you touch these wires, take note of where you are removing them from to ensure that they are put back correctly during the latter stages. 

Step 4 – Inspect the voice coil

To see whether the voice coil is damaged, you will need to check for any signs that it has started to melt. This may be visually identifiable but you may also be able to smell it. Moreover, any gaps in the coil will also affect the flow of sound. Unfortunately, if the voice coil is damaged, you will need to invest in a new speaker.

Step 5 – Clean the speaker

Dust will likely have started to gather on your speaker. You can do this using a soft cloth or pad and alcohol. Don’t use an excessive amount of alcohol and make sure that you are careful when handling the speaker to prevent it from getting damaged. To clean the hard-to-access sections of your speaker, you may wish to use a cotton swab. Now that the speaker has been thoroughly cleaned, you can properly inspect the damage. 

Step 6 – Purchase the necessary replacement parts

Next, you will need to invest in new components for your speaker. You can order them from the manufacturer (if they have replacement parts available) or you can check out another trustworthy supplier. Record the details of your speaker and the part that needs to be replaced as doing so will ensure that you select the right part. 

Step 7 – Attach the new parts

Once all of the new parts have arrived, you will need to swap them with the old and damaged parts that are currently attached to your speaker. Pay close attention to how each part is secured, otherwise, there is a chance that you may not put it back correctly. 

Step 8 – Test the speaker

Now that you have attached all of the necessary new parts, it is time to test out the speaker. If the speaker seems to be functioning like normal, it can be reinstalled. However, if there still seems to be a problem, you may wish to take it to a professional who will be able to assess the speaker and clarify what is causing the issues with the functionality. 

It is also worth noting that repeatedly repairing your speaker is going to become less effective over time. As such, it is important to recognize when it has exceeded its lifespan and is no longer suitable for use. 

Final Thoughts

Repairing a blown speaker isn’t an overly challenging task but there are several steps involved. There are a few signs that you can look out for which will indicate that you have a blown speaker, this includes sound distortions and noticeable deterioration in audio quality.

You must pay attention to what you are doing at each stage to make sure that all parts are returned to the correct position. If your efforts have not been successful you may need to purchase a new speaker or take your speaker to a professional.

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