Requesting advice for diagnosing a stereo issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: StereoAmateur
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 01:13:16 am
content: Hello everyone,first I apologize to the site staff because I had an older account here with just a few posts but i lost access to that email address completely and could not reset that accounts password.Anyway here is my question:I have got some Technics SB-A52 speakers, these are 3 way floor standing speakers with two large woofers, a smaller midrange speaker and a tweeter. I am not a picky audiophile or anything. I have hearing loss and got these for a $20 on the local marketplace because i wanted some louder speakers.When I use the speakers the volume occasionally drifts a bit, so the volume gets quieter for a bit (maybe 10 to 30 seconds) before it kind of fades back to how it was.How can i find out if the crossover is damaged? I don't really understand how speaker crossover work but I was curious if that might be the cause of the volume drift issue. I do understand these had a cheap crossover in them. I have no idea how to know if the crossover is blown. I found a few comments online when trying to find info on these speakers that people found the crossovers were blown out and it sounded better after replacing those.I figured whenever i open them up i will make sure all the wiring is good and replace any questionable or loose wiring.I know my amp is not faulty because I have a couple amps to test with and the volume drift eventually shows up with either amp I have.I would be grateful for your advices.

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 01:36:32 am
content: So if the crossover thingy has a bunch of electrolytic caps on it, I'd want to check them. IDK why the audio level would fade for a while and return. Maybe some bad caps and diodes could act like that.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 01:43:28 am
content: is it one or both speakers? if its both then id be looking closer at either the amp or signal source.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 02:06:12 am
content: If it was a bad connection you'd probably hear a crackle as the sound comes and goes. If not, most likely the problem is with your amp or even the signal source

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 03:56:12 am
content: What are you listening to when this happens? I have noticed that when I use my Roku Express devices to connect to streaming services on the web that on some programs the audio will be lower after a commercial break and then fade back to full level in 15 to 30 seconds. It could be the streaming source or a setting in the Rokus that is there to fight the loud level of some commercials.I haven't investigated this yet.

author: wasedadoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 08:45:13 am
content: There is close to zero probability that two loudspeakers have faults which cause them to change volume simultaneously.

author: Vovk_Z
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2023, 12:31:12 pm
content: Quote from: Ian.M on July 17, 2023, 02:06:12 am+1.