speakers dropping sound at low volume

[Mark Glickman]

Hi all,

I have a system with a Pioneer VSX-3000 stereo receiver (a fairly
old receiver, 60Wpc) controlling decent SPL monitors in one room and
Cambridge soundwork speakers in a second room. I've
noticed that when I have the volume low, the sound in one of
the speakers in a pair often drops out completely, and
sporadically comes back in. This happens in both sets of
speakers in each room. When the volume setting is moderate
or high, the sound does not cut out.

I'm wondering if any of you have had a similar problem, and
in particular whether the problem is the receiver itself, or
perhaps related to speaker wires. I'm pretty sure the
problem isn't the speakers, but I could be wrong. I've
been thinking of upgrading my receiver anyway, in which case
I would find out my answer through simple experimentation,
but I was curious if this was a common problem.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Best,

- Mark

--
Prof. Mark E. Glickman
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes & Economics Research
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital (152), Bldg 70
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA 01730

tel: (781) 687-2875
fax: (781) 687-3106
http://math.bu.edu/people/mg

[Don Pearce]

On 22 Jan 2006 21:40:20 GMT, Mark Glickman > wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I have a system with a Pioneer VSX-3000 stereo receiver (a fairly
>old receiver, 60Wpc) controlling decent SPL monitors in one room and
>Cambridge soundwork speakers in a second room. I've
>noticed that when I have the volume low, the sound in one of
>the speakers in a pair often drops out completely, and
>sporadically comes back in. This happens in both sets of
>speakers in each room. When the volume setting is moderate
>or high, the sound does not cut out.
>
>I'm wondering if any of you have had a similar problem, and
>in particular whether the problem is the receiver itself, or
>perhaps related to speaker wires. I'm pretty sure the
>problem isn't the speakers, but I could be wrong. I've
>been thinking of upgrading my receiver anyway, in which case
>I would find out my answer through simple experimentation,
>but I was curious if this was a common problem.
>
>Any thoughts would be appreciated!
>
>Best,
>
> - Mark

Almost certainly it is the volume control which is bad. Try and get
some electrical lubricant inside it, or at worst get it replaced.

Does it improve temporarily if you wind it quickly back and forth
several times?

d

Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

[Mark Glickman]

In rec.audio.tech Don Pearce > wrote:
: Almost certainly it is the volume control which is bad. Try and get
: some electrical lubricant inside it, or at worst get it replaced.

: Does it improve temporarily if you wind it quickly back and forth
: several times?

Thanks for the suggestion, though the volume control consists
of two clickable buttons on the unit, one increasing volume and the
other decreasing the volume. Usually I control the volume
from a remote. In any case, the volume is not a dial/knob control.
Sorry this wasn't clearer in my first post...

Any other thoughts would be appreciated!

- Mark

--
Prof. Mark E. Glickman
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes & Economics Research
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital (152), Bldg 70
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA 01730

tel: (781) 687-2875
fax: (781) 687-3106
http://math.bu.edu/people/mg

[Geoff@home]

"Mark Glickman" > wrote in message
...
> In rec.audio.tech Don Pearce > wrote:
> : Almost certainly it is the volume control which is bad. Try and get
> : some electrical lubricant inside it, or at worst get it replaced.
>
> : Does it improve temporarily if you wind it quickly back and forth
> : several times?
>
> Thanks for the suggestion, though the volume control consists
> of two clickable buttons on the unit, one increasing volume and the
> other decreasing the volume. Usually I control the volume
> from a remote. In any case, the volume is not a dial/knob control.
> Sorry this wasn't clearer in my first post...
>
> Any other thoughts would be appreciated!

Speaker voice-coils stuffed and rubbing on magnets. Needs a bit of ooomph
before they move at all. Do they sound crappy when they do work ?

geoff

[Mark Glickman]

In rec.audio.tech Geoff@home > wrote:

: Speaker voice-coils stuffed and rubbing on magnets. Needs a bit of ooomph
: before they move at all. Do they sound crappy when they do work ?

When the speakers are working, they sound fine. Given that
I get the same behavior with two different sets of speakers,
my inference is that the speakers are probably not the
problem. I should point out that *sometimes* the speakers
work fine at low volumes, but it's hit or miss.

Thanks for the suggestion.

- Mark

--
Prof. Mark E. Glickman
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes & Economics Research
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital (152), Bldg 70
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA 01730

tel: (781) 687-2875
fax: (781) 687-3106
http://math.bu.edu/people/mg

[Rich Wilson]

"Mark Glickman" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a system with a Pioneer VSX-3000 stereo receiver (a fairly
> old receiver, 60Wpc) controlling decent SPL monitors in one room and
> Cambridge soundwork speakers in a second room. I've
> noticed that when I have the volume low, the sound in one of
> the speakers in a pair often drops out completely, and
> sporadically comes back in. This happens in both sets of
> speakers in each room. When the volume setting is moderate
> or high, the sound does not cut out.

Sounds like a dodgy connection or almost-broken wire somewhere. I'd start at
the computer end, move the wires and connections around a bit until you find
something that affects the sound... you'll probably break whatever it is in
the process but at least you'll know what to replace!

[Walt]

Rich Wilson wrote:

> "Mark Glickman" > wrote in message

>>... when I have the volume low, the sound in one of
>>the speakers in a pair often drops out completely, and
>>sporadically comes back in. This happens in both sets of
>>speakers in each room. When the volume setting is moderate
>>or high, the sound does not cut out.
>
>
> Sounds like a dodgy connection or almost-broken wire somewhere. I'd start at
> the computer end, move the wires and connections around a bit until you find
> something that affects the sound... you'll probably break whatever it is in
> the process but at least you'll know what to replace!

Agreed. Sounds like a bad connection somewhere in the path.


// Walt

[David Ballinger]

"Mark Glickman" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a system with a Pioneer VSX-3000 stereo receiver (a fairly
> old receiver, 60Wpc) controlling decent SPL monitors in one room and
> Cambridge soundwork speakers in a second room. I've
> noticed that when I have the volume low, the sound in one of
> the speakers in a pair often drops out completely, and
> sporadically comes back in. This happens in both sets of
> speakers in each room. When the volume setting is moderate
> or high, the sound does not cut out.
>
> I'm wondering if any of you have had a similar problem, and
> in particular whether the problem is the receiver itself, or
> perhaps related to speaker wires. I'm pretty sure the
> problem isn't the speakers, but I could be wrong. I've
> been thinking of upgrading my receiver anyway, in which case
> I would find out my answer through simple experimentation,
> but I was curious if this was a common problem.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated!
>
> Best,
>
> - Mark
>
> --
> Prof. Mark E. Glickman
> Center for Health Quality, Outcomes & Economics Research
> Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital (152), Bldg 70
> 200 Springs Road
> Bedford, MA 01730
>
> tel: (781) 687-2875
> fax: (781) 687-3106
> http://math.bu.edu/people/mg

Mark,
I had an old pioneer receiver, too good to toss, not for prime home
use, so off to work it went to supply music to several areas of my shop,
intermittent audio was the problem and it was usually the speaker selector
switch, mine would supply three groups of speakers and it was usually "B"
group that went first, high contact resistance was the cause, turn up the
volume and the contacts would fuse together and work. A good cleaning and
lube would solve the problem for several months. this amp was 20 years old,
I ended up bypassing the switch altogether, it's ugly but it still works too
well to toss.
The other thing to check, is the wire to the remote speaker one
continuous piece or are there any splices in the run? it doesn't take much
resistance to be intermittent.
Hope you find your open circuit,
Dave_________

[Peter Larsen]

Mark Glickman wrote:

> In rec.audio.tech Don Pearce > wrote:
> : Almost certainly it is the volume control which is bad. Try and get
> : some electrical lubricant inside it, or at worst get it replaced.

> : Does it improve temporarily if you wind it quickly back and forth
> : several times?

> Thanks for the suggestion, though the volume control consists
> of two clickable buttons on the unit, one increasing volume and the
> other decreasing the volume. Usually I control the volume
> from a remote. In any case, the volume is not a dial/knob control.
> Sorry this wasn't clearer in my first post...

Service manual time, or time for a peek inside, a motor turning a volume
control pot is a sonically good solution, so it might still be a volume
control potentiometer issue.

> - Mark


Kind regards

Peter Larsen

--
*******************************************
* My site is at: http://www.muyiovatki.dk *
*******************************************

[Mark D. Zacharias]

"David Ballinger" > wrote in message
news:fkXAf.11559$Dh.1823@dukeread04...
>
> "Mark Glickman" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I have a system with a Pioneer VSX-3000 stereo receiver (a fairly
>> old receiver, 60Wpc) controlling decent SPL monitors in one room and
>> Cambridge soundwork speakers in a second room. I've
>> noticed that when I have the volume low, the sound in one of
>> the speakers in a pair often drops out completely, and
>> sporadically comes back in. This happens in both sets of
>> speakers in each room. When the volume setting is moderate
>> or high, the sound does not cut out.
>>
>> I'm wondering if any of you have had a similar problem, and
>> in particular whether the problem is the receiver itself, or
>> perhaps related to speaker wires. I'm pretty sure the
>> problem isn't the speakers, but I could be wrong. I've
>> been thinking of upgrading my receiver anyway, in which case
>> I would find out my answer through simple experimentation,
>> but I was curious if this was a common problem.
>>
>> Any thoughts would be appreciated!
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> - Mark
>>
>> --
>> Prof. Mark E. Glickman
>> Center for Health Quality, Outcomes & Economics Research
>> Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital (152), Bldg 70
>> 200 Springs Road
>> Bedford, MA 01730
>>
>> tel: (781) 687-2875
>> fax: (781) 687-3106
>> http://math.bu.edu/people/mg
>
> Mark,
> I had an old pioneer receiver, too good to toss, not for prime home
> use, so off to work it went to supply music to several areas of my shop,
> intermittent audio was the problem and it was usually the speaker selector
> switch, mine would supply three groups of speakers and it was usually "B"
> group that went first, high contact resistance was the cause, turn up the
> volume and the contacts would fuse together and work. A good cleaning and
> lube would solve the problem for several months. this amp was 20 years
> old, I ended up bypassing the switch altogether, it's ugly but it still
> works too well to toss.
> The other thing to check, is the wire to the remote speaker one
> continuous piece or are there any splices in the run? it doesn't take much
> resistance to be intermittent.
> Hope you find your open circuit,
> Dave_________
>
>

Speaker A / B switches dirty or speaker relay cutting out. Almost certainly
one or the other.

You can try pushing, wiggling, otherwise manipulating the speaker switch(es)
and see if that affects the problem. I seem to remember the B speaker switch
many be a problem on these - if the A/B switching is series, which it may
well be.

Mark Z.

[Mark Glickman]

Thanks to everyone for their helpful (and varied) responses.

Rich Wilson and Walt, I'll check the speaker wire. My gut
tells me, however, that it's a bit too coincidental to have
the same problems with four different wires (leading to two
pairs of speakers).

Peter Larsen - not sure what to do if the problem is related
to the volume control pontentiometer. I may need to open up
the receiver to take a look...

David Ballinger and Mark Zacharias, my bet is that you
identified the problem. I do notice that the B speakers cut
out more drastically than the A speakers. When I open up
the receiver, I'll take a look at the A/B switches and the
speaker relay. As an aside, the speaker wires are single
continuous wires - not several pieces spliced together.

Thanks again, everyone.

- Mark

--
Prof. Mark E. Glickman
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes & Economics Research
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital (152), Bldg 70
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA 01730

tel: (781) 687-2875
fax: (781) 687-3106
http://math.bu.edu/people/mg

[Rich Wilson]

"Mark Glickman" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks to everyone for their helpful (and varied) responses.
>
> Rich Wilson and Walt, I'll check the speaker wire. My gut
> tells me, however, that it's a bit too coincidental to have
> the same problems with four different wires (leading to two
> pairs of speakers).

Yes... if the cables are completely separate it's unlikely to be that. I
think I may have got the wrong impression about exactly how your system's
set up!

[Ray Tate]

In article >, Mark Glickman >
wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I have a system with a Pioneer VSX-3000 stereo receiver (a fairly
> old receiver, 60Wpc) controlling decent SPL monitors in one room and
> Cambridge soundwork speakers in a second room. I've
> noticed that when I have the volume low, the sound in one of
> the speakers in a pair often drops out completely, and
> sporadically comes back in. This happens in both sets of
> speakers in each room. When the volume setting is moderate
> or high, the sound does not cut out.
>
> I'm wondering if any of you have had a similar problem, and
> in particular whether the problem is the receiver itself, or
> perhaps related to speaker wires. I'm pretty sure the
> problem isn't the speakers, but I could be wrong. I've
> been thinking of upgrading my receiver anyway, in which case
> I would find out my answer through simple experimentation,
> but I was curious if this was a common problem.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated!
>
> Best,
>
> - Mark
>
[snip]
I've had a similar problem with an SX-850 now and then, and find that a
periodic vigorous flipping of all the switches and rotation of all the
knobs while operating at an elevated sound level seems to restore
operation to normal, which leads me to conclude (as some others have)
that the problem is the result of contact oxidation that is being burnt
off during the process.

--
skin that tater before replying

[Mark Glickman]

In rec.audio.misc Ray Tate > wrote:
: [snip]
: I've had a similar problem with an SX-850 now and then, and find that a
: periodic vigorous flipping of all the switches and rotation of all the
: knobs while operating at an elevated sound level seems to restore
: operation to normal, which leads me to conclude (as some others have)
: that the problem is the result of contact oxidation that is being burnt
: off during the process.

Thanks for the response - that's an interesting suggestion.
I just bought a new receiver (JVC RX-8040B) and the problems
I was experiencing have disappeared, thus ruling out the speakers
or speaker wire as the problem.

I'm planning to open up the old pioneer receiver and check
the contacts on the speaker switches. Hoping the restore
the receiver to a useable condition!

- Mark

--
Prof. Mark E. Glickman
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes & Economics Research
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital (152), Bldg 70
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA 01730

tel: (781) 687-2875
fax: (781) 687-3106
http://math.bu.edu/people/mg

[Sander deWaal]

Mark Glickman > said:

>I'm planning to open up the old pioneer receiver and check
>the contacts on the speaker switches. Hoping the restore
>the receiver to a useable condition!


Check the speaker relay(s).....9 out of 10 times this is where your
problem lies.

Either replace them, or clean the contacts (which isn't always
possible, and even when you succeed, sometimes the problem comes back
after a while).

--

- Never argue with idiots, they drag you down their level and beat you with experience. -