Thread: What causes speakers to pop?

I have a 2 year old Panasonic 5.1 home theater system that just recently started popping occasionally, but it is a very loud and startling pop. It happens infrequently, maybe once every 30-60 minutes, regardless of the source. What typically causes speakers to pop and is there anything I can do to fix it?

ususally means the speaker is fried.. (or getting to much power).. the coil could be rubbing or expanded.. etc

If it happens in all your speakers it's more likley to be a receiver problem

Originally Posted by CubsWin

It happens infrequently, maybe once every 30-60 minutes, regardless of the source.

Wonder if this could be some sort of static discharge? Perhaps you should check your grounding.

Originally Posted by Ilya

Wonder if this could be some sort of static discharge? Perhaps you should check your grounding.

It does happen throughout all the speakers and this post made me think... I bought a new power strip about 6 months ago and the light that indicates proper grounding never came on. I don't know anything about checking it though.

Doubtful it's a grounding issue. The safety ground is just that, for safety purposes. It really has no impact on system noise unless you have a ground loop hum. Is there some new appliance located nearby that is turning on and off? Alot alot of people (myself included) often experience a pop in Dolby Digital mode when a broadcast station switches audio modes. You indicated it happened at regular intervals and from all sources however so it still sounds like a receiver problem.

Originally Posted by NightHawk

Doubtful it's a grounding issue. The safety ground is just that, for safety purposes. It really has no impact on system noise unless you have a ground loop hum.

There is a little bit of a hum in the system coming through all the speakers. It gets drowned out when I turn the sound up, but I can hear it at low levels.

IT also can be the station I noitced that I get popping in my rear surrounds from ABC from time to time. It seems to be only that station and doesnt do it at any other time.

Originally Posted by CubsWin

There is a little bit of a hum in the system coming through all the speakers. It gets drowned out when I turn the sound up, but I can hear it at low levels.

I'd start by unplugging ALL your input sources (DVD player, satellite reciever etc.) and just run the amp by itself with only the speakers connected. Let it run and see if you notice either the pop sound or the hum. If it's working properly you should get absolutely no hum from the speakers and certainly no popping.
It could be a cold solder connection inside the amp. and if it does make the popping noise with nothing plugged into it then that is more likely the cause. A test that sounds a bit crazy (but it will help in troubleshooting) is to turn the system on and just tap on the top of the stereo receiver, you may notice the pop every time you give it a rap.........if that's the case you can almost be certain that it's a poor solder connection inside the amp. I have fixed electronics for years, this IS an accepted troubleshooting method!

Let us know what you find..........at this point it's a process of elimination.......eliminate what is NOT the problem so you can focus on what is. Also, it would be helpful to know if it's an all in one system (DVD built into the amp etc. or are all the pieces seperate?)