Distortion in my JBL speakers?

[Try4ce]

I'm new to this whole audio system deal, and I finally just got all of my components together (well, almost... at least enough to do a test).

Unfortunately, I'm worried that something might be wrong with my little JBL satellite speakers. When the guy in Best Buy turned them up in the store to let me listen, they sounded crisp and clear. When I pulled them out of the box, though, I noticed something kinda funny. Around the edges of the front and rear speakers, there was something like a white piece of cloth poking out from behind the covering. The center speaker doesn't look like this, and neither did any of the speakers on display (as far as I noticed, anyway).

Anyway, I bring that up, but it could be unrelated... but maybe it is. The bottom line is that the center speaker sounds great, but the rest distort even at low volume levels. I've set all of my speakers to "small" in my receiver, but that didn't fix the problem.

What could be the culprit? Does it look like I need to bring my speakers back to the store, or am I just missing something? Please be careful with the audiophile lingo, I'm a little new to it all.

 

[Sheep]

Could you maybe take a picture of this "cloth" so we can see what it is?

Also, knowing what JBL speakers these are will help.

SheepStar

 

[mulester7]

I'm new to this whole audio system deal, and I finally just got all of my components together (well, almost... at least enough to do a test).

Unfortunately, I'm worried that something might be wrong with my little JBL satellite speakers. When the guy in Best Buy turned them up in the store to let me listen, they sounded crisp and clear. When I pulled them out of the box, though, I noticed something kinda funny. Around the edges of the front and rear speakers, there was something like a white piece of cloth poking out from behind the covering. The center speaker doesn't look like this, and neither did any of the speakers on display (as far as I noticed, anyway).

Anyway, I bring that up, but it could be unrelated... but maybe it is. The bottom line is that the center speaker sounds great, but the rest distort even at low volume levels. I've set all of my speakers to "small" in my receiver, but that didn't fix the problem.

What could be the culprit? Does it look like I need to bring my speakers back to the store, or am I just missing something? Please be careful with the audiophile lingo, I'm a little new to it all.

.....in non-audiophile language, which is all I speak....(ahem)....return at a high rate of speed, asap....let THEM remove whatever it is....insist they hook them up after the removal procedure and let you hear them....out....

 

[Sheep]

.....in non-audiophile language, which is all I speak....(ahem)....return at a high rate of speed, asap....let THEM remove whatever it is....insist they hook them up after the removal procedure and let you hear them....out....

You do know he bought this from Best Buy right? All they'll do is grab an open box and send him home without fixing anything.

SheepStar

 

[mulester7]

You do know he bought this from Best Buy right? All they'll do is grab an open box and send him home without fixing anything.

SheepStar

.....only in Canada.....

 

[mulester7]

.....only in Canada.....

.....Sheep, you know I was kidding.....

 

[Try4ce]

Ah, I should've thought to show a picture. Here you go:

I have no idea if that could indicate a problem. But it IS weird that the center speaker is perfect and it's the only one that doesn't have that cloth sticking out. Also, I've tried it with both a game in Pro Logic II over RCA and a DVD movie over optical... same distortion.

 

[Sheep]

Ah, I should've thought to show a picture. Here you go:

I have no idea if that could indicate a problem. But it IS weird that the center speaker is perfect and it's the only one that doesn't have that cloth sticking out. Also, I've tried it with both a game in Pro Logic II over RCA and a DVD movie over optical... same distortion.

Weird..

Take'm back.

SheepStar

 

[Tod]

Um, or maybe try taking the cover off and taking the "protective" stuff off? Maybe that's all it is.

 

[mulester7]

Um, or maybe try taking the cover off and taking the "protective" stuff off? Maybe that's all it is.

.....Tod, it is said a picture speaks a thousand words.....

 

[Sheep]

Um, or maybe try taking the cover off and taking the "protective" stuff off? Maybe that's all it is.

Ok, if the grill comes off. If it doesn't take it back. NO speaker I have ever bought, has stuff between the drivers and grill.

SheepStar

 

[Tod]

Ok, if the grill comes off. If it doesn't take it back. NO speaker I have ever bought, has stuff between the drivers and grill.

SheepStar

Yeah, I've never seen it either and can't think of a reason to start. But that's what it seems to look like...

 

[moria1]

HI, this is a protective coat for your drivers,some mfg use this such as mission, klipsch,etc.Remove grill and discard.As a side note usually all speakers in set would have them,yet,you said center did not,was this an open box or perhaps previous customer return? Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[Try4ce]

Sure enough, you're right! Yes, the grill can be removed and the cloth was able to be removed... AND it was indeed the culprit to the distortion I was getting, because it sounds beautiful now!

Thank you thank you thank you!