Only Getting Sound Out of 1 Speaker...

[Suds]

So I finally got the chance to hook up my speaker rig(even if only to test it out for awhile. Sadly, I have to finish remodeling the room first) and for some reason, I only get sound out of 1 speaker, with the other being very faint. Now, I am fairly new to this, but my system isn't exactly complicated. I'm quite sure it's hooked up correctly. Here is what it looks like(this is just to test/play with it for a bit):

I've got my MP3 player connected to my Onkyo SR-505's CD Input via a Mini to RCA. I then have my speakers connected to Front Speakers A with Blue Jeans Speaker Cable. The -'s and +'s are all in correctly.

I turn the receiver on, set it to CD, and have it play Front Speakers A. It's playing in Stereo mode, but I still only get sound coming out of one speaker. And I don't know any way of trouble shooting it either, save for checking all the connections and what not.

So, does anyone have any clue what could be the problem? I shouldn't have a problem connecting my MP3 player to it, should I? Thanks.

 

[trnqk7]

Make sure the rca-mini connection is good and tight. I know I have had some headphones in the past with mini connections that were not inserted fully and I only got sound from one of them...it's a simple solution, hope it works!

 

[Adam]

Make sure the rca-mini connection is good and tight. I know I have had some headphones in the past with mini connections that were not inserted fully and I only got sound from one of them...it's a simple solution, hope it works!

Definitely. That's the first thing that popped into my mind, too.

 

[Midcow2]

agree with Adam and Trnqk7

Definitely. That's the first thing that popped into my mind, too.

Agree with Adam and Trnqk7, make sure your RCA mini-plug is clean and fully seated ( inserted all the way).

Also, do you know that both of your speakers are good? If not sure, you could swap speakers to eliminate a bad speaker as the possible cuplrit.

 

[Suds]

Just gave that a try, but it doesn't seem to be the problem. There is sound coming out of both, but one is very, very faint. I have to put my ear up next to it to to actually hear anything, while the other is easily audible from 6 feet away.

Edit: The reason I can't troubleshoot it myself is I don't have any other audio equipment here, save for Headphone stuff. I'm really hoping the speaker isn't the problem because I bought them used of Audiogon(from a reputable seller)...

 

[Adam]

Also, do you know that both of your speakers are good? If not sure, you could swap speakers to eliminate a bad speaker as the possible cuplrit.

Great idea, as well! That would help to narrow it down to a bad speaker, bad speaker wire, or bad connection.

That got me thinking - even if the minijack is seated correctly, you could have a bad minijack-to-RCA cable. You could try another cable, or another source that uses a different cable. Heck, try the radio tuner! That should give you something, if only static.

EDIT: Just saw your post. Try the tuner, in addition to Midcow2's idea.

 

[Adam]

Also, you could use the manual test tones (if the 505 supports that).

 

[Suds]

Well, I tried the Tuner and encountered the same problem. I've tried switching speaker cables and that didn't work either. The only thing else I could think of would be that one of the speakers is bad, unless I am missing something...

 

[Rickster71]

EDIT: (I type too slow, Never mind)
On my MP3 player, I have to turn the volume to Max, to get enough volume out of the speakers.
It may be worth a shot.
I'm just throwing this out there. Though I'd would think it would effect both speakers.

 

[Suds]

Same thing with my MP3 player, but it still only raises the volume of the one speaker. =\

 

[ricocetj]

Just gave that a try, but it doesn't seem to be the problem. There is sound coming out of both, but one is very, very faint. I have to put my ear up next to it to to actually hear anything, while the other is easily audible from 6 feet away.

Edit: The reason I can't troubleshoot it myself is I don't have any other audio equipment here, save for Headphone stuff. I'm really hoping the speaker isn't the problem because I bought them used of Audiogon(from a reputable seller)...

I'm a bit confused with what you tried here. Did you switch the speakers to see if the problem followed the speaker from one side to the other, or did you try to re-seat the mini jack? I would definitely second the suggestion to try the tuner.

If the tuner solves the issue, it is most likely the mini to RCA wire. I don't know what brand you're using, but I remember that I used a cheap wire back in college to hook my computer up to my main system and it worked for about a month before acting up and sending a poor signal if any at all. I now have one of these and it works great. High quality cable, and it really makes a nice connection to the mini jack.

EDIT: Looks like I type too slow too. Your next move should be to try Rickster's suggestion below. Instead of switching the wires, switch the speaker on the right to the left, and vise versa. If the right speaker was acting up and the left speaker starts acting up after you switch them, then it looks like a speaker issue. If the problem stays on the same time, then it looks like a problem at the amp.

 

[Rickster71]

Try swapping the speakers to different sides, to see if it's the speaker or the amp.

 

[Suds]

I've already tried swapping the speakers around, and the problem follows the same speaker so that rules out the receiver. The tuner didn't fix the problem either, so that also rules out the RCA to Mini...

BTW, thank you to everyone who has responded. Very helpful community.


Anyways, I am going to try and contact the seller and see what he has to say.

 

[Suds]

Well, I am pretty sure the Tweeter on one of the speakers is bad. Instead of using the upper connections on both speakers, I moved it to the lower ones(MA BR2) and now I get sound out of both. But on the one I am having the problems with, I can cover up the Tweeter with my hand and I don't hear the same hiss sound I do when I cover up the working one(hope that makes sense). And you can clearly hear one sounds different(much worse) than the other.

Anyways, I contacted the seller and he seems willing to help me out, even though it's been about a month since I bought them. Thanks to all who replied.

Edit: Or possibly the speaker jumpers. Depending on where I connect the speaker wires to(Upper or lower), either the Tweeter or the Woofer works, but not both at the same time.

 

[markw]

See if the same problem happens with headphones. If it does, you know where the problem lies.

 

[Suds]

I just tried it with some cans, and it works fine. Sound comes out of both sides.

 

[Adam]

Edit: Or possibly the speaker jumpers. Depending on where I connect the speaker wires to(Upper or lower), either the Tweeter or the Woofer works, but not both at the same time.

Aha. That sure sounds like it's the problem. Didn't realize that you had two sets of binding posts on your speakers - something for me to keep in mind in the future to ask about.

Are the jumpers bands connected properly?

 

[Suds]

They are connected the same on both sides, and with the one speaker working correctly, I would assume so. I've tried removing them and cleaning them up a bit(wiping them off) and making sure it's on tightly and whatnot. Still nothing.

 

[markw]

This may sound incredibly stupid, but are you sure they aren't both connected to the same side of both the "A" and "B" speakers instead to both sides of one or the other?

If not, it's time to disconnect all the speaker leads from the back of the receiver and, with your manual in hand opened to the rear view, and retrace your steps when connecting them.