If you have a pair of old speakers that emit an annoying buzz or hum when playing music or other audio, it can be frustrating. However, before you throw them out and buy new ones, there are some easy DIY fixes you can try with common household items to potentially get rid of the buzz and extend the life of your speakers.
Diagnose the Cause of the Buzzing
The first step is to diagnose the cause of the buzzing sound. This will help determine the best approach to fix it. Here are some common culprits:
Loose Parts
Over time, the internal components of the speaker can become loose. This includes wires that have come unattached or loose ** driver coils**. You'll need to open up the speaker enclosure to inspect these parts.
Frayed Wiring
Damaged wires or cables connected to the speakers can produce buzzing. Check the speaker wire connections, and inspect the full length of wires for damage.
Interference
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other devices can get picked up by speaker wires, causing buzzing. This often happens if speaker wires are run too close to power cords.
Power Problems
Irregularities in the power supply, like a drop in voltage, can also lead to buzzing. This may happen more with speakers connected to a battery-powered device.
Quick DIY Solutions
Once you've identified the likely cause, there are several quick fixes you can try at home before taking your speakers into a repair shop.
Fix Loose Parts
If loose internal components are causing the buzz, you'll need to open up the speaker enclosure and secure everything tightly back into place. Refer to the speaker's service manual for how to safely disassemble and access the inner components. Use pliers to tighten any loose wiring connections. Reattach any loose driver coils or magnets.
Replace Damaged Cables
Frayed or internally damaged speaker wire is a fire hazard and should be replaced. You can snip away the damaged portion of the wire and reconnect it, or replace the full cable. Use 16 or 18 gauge oxygen-free copper speaker wire for best conductivity.
Isolate Cables
If EMI interference is the issue, prevent buzzing by keeping speaker cables separated from other wires. Try routing them along the edge of the room instead of through the wall, or use wire channels to isolate them. You can also switch to shielded speaker wire.
Add Filter Capacitors
Filter capacitors help smooth out irregularities in the power supply that cause buzzing. Solder a 470μF to 1000μF, 25V+ electrolytic capacitor across the power input terminals. This simple filter can eliminate many power-related buzzing issues.
Ground Loop Isolator
A ground loop isolator blocks noise that occurs due to different audio components having different ground potentials. Insert one between the audio source and speakers to remove any buzzing or hum caused by ground loops.
When To Call A Professional
If you've tried all the DIY fixes but your speakers still buzz, it's time to call in a professional. An experienced technician will be able to properly diagnose and resolve complex issues like damaged voice coils, failing crossover networks, or shorted components. They have the proper tools and expertise to repair speakers in ways that exceed the capabilities of most do-it-yourselfers.
Some signs your buzzing speakers need pro repair:
- Buzzing only occurs at high volumes
- Sound cuts out or speakers stop working
- Visible damage like burnt voice coils
- No audio improvement from DIY fixes
Though professional speaker repair will cost more than DIY options, it can still be cheaper than buying brand new speakers. And quality repairs make old speakers sound like new again.
Enjoy Buzz-Free Audio
With some simple troubleshooting and DIY fixes, you can likely isolate the cause of buzzing speakers and improve the audio without much hassle or expense. But if your efforts don't work, don't hesitate to turn to a professional for speaker repair services. Soon you'll be able to crank up the music again without annoying buzzing noises interfering!