Speakers sound muffled (like they are underwater)

[Kor3y]

Hello everyone, I was playing music a little too loud a couple days ago and suddenly heard the tone of my speakers change so that they sound very distorted (muffled like they are underwater). I thought the issue was with my amplifier so I replaced my Pioneer VSX D458 with a new one on eBay, but I still have the same issue where the Center speaker sounds very muffled. Do you think this is a blown speaker?

if someone could help me that would be great!

 

[Verdinut]

Hello everyone, I was playing music a little too loud a couple days ago and suddenly heard the tone of my speakers change so that they sound very distorted (muffled like they are underwater). I thought the issue was with my amplifier so I replaced my Pioneer VSX D458 with a new one on eBay, but I still have the same issue where the Center speaker sounds very muffled. Do you think this is a blown speaker?

if someone could help me that would be great!

It's most likely a blown tweeter. By switching the center speaker with one of the other front speakers, you should have your answer,

 

[Kor3y]

It's most likely a blown tweeter. By switching the center speaker with one of the other front speakers, you should have your answer,

Thanks! I switched the wiring of the centre speaker with one of the other front speakers in my amplifier and it still sounds very muffled, just like before. Does this mean the tweeter in my speaker is blown?

 

[lovinthehd]

Put your ear up against the tweeters in each speaker should be fairly easy to tell....and definitely a possible outcome of playing too loud for the capabilities of the gear involved (especially during a party ).

 

[Kor3y]

Put your ear up against the tweeters in each speaker should be fairly easy to tell....and definitely a possible outcome of playing too loud for the capabilities of the gear involved (especially during a party ).

Ok so here is my centre speaker. Are the tweeters the big things on the side? Or the small thing in the centre? Only the small thing is the centre is playing audio. And the side parts have no audio at all. My side speakers also do the same thing

 

[lovinthehd]

Rather than pictures, generally more helpful to simply provide brand and model number of gear so we can look up specs/manuals etc.

The smaller driver in the center is the tweeter in that speaker, flanked by mid-woofers on the sides. I'd have expected if only tweeters are working for the sound to be other than "muffled", and rather bright/shrill, so not sure what you've got going there....but sounds like time for new speakers in any case.

 

[Kor3y]

Rather than pictures, generally more helpful to simply provide brand and model number of gear so we can look up specs/manuals etc.

The smaller driver in the center is the tweeter in that speaker, flanked by mid-woofers on the sides. I'd have expected if only tweeters are working for the sound to be other than "muffled", and rather bright/shrill, so not sure what you've got going there....but sounds like time for new speakers in any case.

I apologize. The speaker system is a Acoustic Research (AR) - HC4 Model. It almost appears like the tweeter in every speaker is working, but the mid woofers are in fact not working. It is in fact high pitch, but there is absolutely no bass coming out of every speaker. Did I blow the Mid-Woofers?

 

[TLS Guy]

View attachment 51832

Ok so here is my centre speaker. Are the tweeters the big things on the side? Or the small thing in the centre? Only the small thing is the centre is playing audio. And the side parts have no audio at all. My side speakers also do the same thing

You have either blown the mid/woofers, the crossovers or both. Most likely you have blown the mid/woofers. If you have blown all three front speakers, that certainly qualifies as reckless speaker abuse.

The cost of new speakers might make you more careful.

 

[Kor3y]

My receiver is a Pioneer VSX D-458. I actually just replaced my older VSX D-458 with this same model I bought from eBay (which says it was tested and working), so I'm almost certain this is a speaker issue as you mentioned

 

[Kor3y]

You have either blown the mid/woofers, the crossovers or both. Most likely you have blown the mid/woofers. If you have blown all three front speakers, that certainly qualifies as reckless speaker abuse.

The cost of new speakers might make you more careful.

Definitely, I guess playing it too loud blew all my speakers because even my front speakers sound distorted (almost like sound only comes from the tweeters). I just wanted to be sure this was a speaker issue and not an amplifier issue (which I already replaced)

 

[lovinthehd]

I apologize. The speaker system is a Acoustic Research (AR) - HC4 Model. It almost appears like the tweeter in every speaker is working, but the mid woofers are in fact not working. It is in fact high pitch, but there is absolutely no bass coming out of every speaker. Did I blow the Mid-Woofers?

Possibly. Need to test the drivers to be sure, could be the passive crossover networks as TLS mentions. Neither are likely worth a lot of expense to repair/replace, tho. Curious, why was your first thought the receiver? Was it having some other issues? It is getting long in the tooth for sure, tho.

 

[Kor3y]

The receiver is great! Ive never had any issues especially considering how old it is, but it works very well. I almost feel like an idiot because I replaced my receiver believing that it was a receiver issue. At least im certain it is a speaker issue now!

Its in great condition though!

 

[lovinthehd]

The receiver is great! Ive never had any issues especially considering how old it is, but it works very well. I almost feel like an idiot because I replaced my receiver believing that it was a receiver issue. At least im certain it is a speaker issue now!
View attachment 51834
Its in great condition though!

So now you have two? If so you can setup two systems ! . I had a similar model to that one a long time ago, but it eventually developed a buzzing sound that had me change horses.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Well hey. There’s a lot Black Friday sales atm. Time to go shopping!!!!!!n

 

[Kor3y]

So now you have two? If so you can setup two systems ! . I had a similar model to that one a long time ago, but it eventually developed a buzzing sound that had me change horses.

Well, I did. But I sold my old one for $20 when I thought it was the amplifier that wasn't working ! Now im only left with one

 

[Kor3y]

Well hey. There’s a lot Black Friday sales atm. Time to go shopping!!!!!!n

Good idea. Any good reccomentations for a fair priced surround sound speaker system? My subwoofer is working at least, so all I need is a centre speaker with 2 side (front) speakers

 

[lovinthehd]

What sub do you have? How much is the budget for the speakers?

 

[Kor3y]

What sub do you have? How much is the budget for the speakers?

I have the AR HC 4 Sub which still works well. I also just bought a centre speaker on amazon, the Sony SSCS8 Center Speaker. Just looking for 2 front speakers to use for surround like this speaker below ( Not sure what its called, also part of the AR HC-4) if you know any that work well. Thanks!

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd get more of the same series of Sony speaker in that case to match what you bought across the front three. Personally I'd aim for higher speaker and sub quality, but depends how much you have to spend (or want to).

 

[Pogre]

Stop using them in the bath tub!