Need Troubleshooting Advice

[davwaymoore]

I am driving two pairs of Def Tech outdoor speakers using a Russound X125 amp and passing it through a speaker switch (Niles 4 speaker switch) with Niles volume controls located near each pair of speakers. This setup has been performing flawlessly for the last 2-3 years.

As temps begin to warm up and recreational activities move to the pool area I have started playing music on the back patio area. The first thing I noted was a drastic drop in overall power, ie, not able to get as much volume out of the speakers. In fact the volume is at least half of what it was. I am also noting that the volume out of the right channel seems to be much less than the left.

I do not know if it is the amp or the speaker switch. What are some troubleshooting activities I can use to determine my issue? I do not want to buy a new amp if I can help it. I am thinking of buying a new switch. The one I have is likely 20+ years old. At the same time I am not crazy about spending that money either until I know for sure what could be happening.

Any and all ideas are welcomed and much appreciated!

Thanks...Wayne

 

[adk highlander]

Are you using the same sources as when you felt it was louder? Is it the same on all of the volume controls?

 

[davwaymoore]

Are you using the same sources as when you felt it was louder? Is it the same on all of the volume controls?

Yes same source.....using a streaming music device with the volume all the way up on device. And yes the same on all volume controls.

 

[adk highlander]

I would be surprised if it is the speaker selector but you could bypass it and connect one set of speaker wires direct to see if it gets louder.

I would go through 1 by 1 and connect the amp input to each speaker set and test individually to check for volume and balance.

Also did you check the balance controls on the back of the amp just to make sure they did not get moved?

 

[davwaymoore]

I would be surprised if it is the speaker selector but you could bypass it and connect one set of speaker wires direct to see if it gets louder.

I would go through 1 by 1 and connect the amp input to each speaker set and test individually to check for volume and balance.

Also did you check the balance controls on the back of the amp just to make sure they did not get moved?

Thanks....I did check the balance controls on the back...was hoping that was it but alas...no. I figured I would have to go one by one and direct connect to amp...appreciate your help!

Wayne

 

[davwaymoore]

Thanks for the help....did hook up amp directly and it was definitely the amp acting up. Seemed to be outputting a very unbalanced signal that was strongly weighted toward the right channel. I have a Crown amp on the way.

thanks...Wayne

 

[M Code]

No experience with the Russound amplifier..
But we stay far away from those Niles passive speaker switchers, we have seen where they can actually destroy a connected AVR or amplifier..

Just my $0.02...

 

[davwaymoore]

Thanks for the thumbs down on the speaker selector....may I ask what you use instead of Niles?

 

[Latent]

One other idea to confirm it is the amp is to reverse the stereo rca input from the source device into the amp. If the same channel is still at fault then the source is fine and must be a setting on the amp or more likely a faulty component affecting the gain on that channel.

 

[highfigh]

No experience with the Russound amplifier..
But we stay far away from those Niles passive speaker switchers, we have seen where they can actually destroy a connected AVR or amplifier..

Just my $0.02...

How many times and under what conditions?

 

[highfigh]

Thanks for the help....did hook up amp directly and it was definitely the amp acting up. Seemed to be outputting a very unbalanced signal that was strongly weighted toward the right channel. I have a Crown amp on the way.

thanks...Wayne

Does the amp have a Speakers A and B switch? Press each switch several times, to make sure the problem isn't caused by a dirty switch. This is a very common cause of channel imbalance.

"Directly", meaning 'directly to both speakers with only the wire between them' or 'directly to the wires that were connected to the output of the speaker switch'?

I would recommend inspecting the volume controls- if you see any evidence of moisture or insects, clean it out and check the controls to see if they're damaged. You didn't show your location or where the controls are installed, but I have seen controls mounted in a hole that was cut in the wall with no junction box. When the rain got into the wall because of a leak, the controls were damaged.

 

[davwaymoore]

One other idea to confirm it is the amp is to reverse the stereo rca input from the source device into the amp. If the same channel is still at fault then the source is fine and must be a setting on the amp or more likely a faulty component affecting the gain on that channel.

Did not think about that one...but I did switch the speakers from the A bank of connectors to the B bank of connectors. Strangely the channel imbalance switched. Instead of having issue in left channel it then became an issue in right channel. With that I assumed it was the amp and have a Crown amp ordered.

 

[davwaymoore]

Does the amp have a Speakers A and B switch? Press each switch several times, to make sure the problem isn't caused by a dirty switch. This is a very common cause of channel imbalance.

"Directly", meaning 'directly to both speakers with only the wire between them' or 'directly to the wires that were connected to the output of the speaker switch'?

I would recommend inspecting the volume controls- if you see any evidence of moisture or insects, clean it out and check the controls to see if they're damaged. You didn't show your location or where the controls are installed, but I have seen controls mounted in a hole that was cut in the wall with no junction box. When the rain got into the wall because of a leak, the controls were damaged.

Thanks...I did press everything button or switch on the amp thinking it could be dirty switches...no luck! See above about switching over to the B speaker bank......

By "directly" I mean speakers hooked directly with nothing but speaker cable between amp and speaker, ie, I bypassed the speaker switch.

 

[M Code]

Thanks for the thumbs down on the speaker selector....may I ask what you use instead of Niles?

The proper way is to run a multi-channel distribution amplifier where each pair of loudspeakers is driven by its own pair of amplifier channels...
More $ but significantly better long term reliability...

Just my $0.02...