My left front speaker has started to rattle/buzz. It really is a cross between rattling and buzzing but closer to buzzing. It kind of sounds like a rattle-y "zzzzzzt".

When it happens: Say I'm listening to talk radio. Every time the host says something the speaker rattles/buzzes. When she's quiet, no buzzing. Every sentence = buzz. The louder she is the louder the buzz. Between sentences the speaker is fine.

Any ideas about what the problem might be?

Dan

 

I'm tempted to suggest the speaker cone is torn.

But I'll move this over to the A/V Electronics area where you'll get better answers.

 

one more detail. if i push firmly on the speaker cover, the buzzing stops.

if i can get to the speaker, will the tear be obvious to me?

 

Car type?
Is this the speaker in the door?
It's possible the speaker's mounting screw(s) are loose, causing the buzzing.

If the speaker cone is torn, you'll probably see it by looking closeley. Especially the outer perimeter where it flexes.

 

tighten the screws that hold the speaker. better yet, when you remove the door panel to tighten the screws - put a layer of closed cell weatherstripping foam (1/4" thick) between the speaker and metal door.

when the door cover is off, play the speaker to verify movement and inspect the cone/surround.

 

If the speaker cone is torn, can I just use glue to repair a small tear or do I need to replace the whole thing? Perfect sound fidelity is not a major concern to me. Just don't want the buzzing.

 

Depends.

 

Mine was doing the same thing... All the foam holding the cone to the outside speaker casing was completely gone... LOL but it is a 1991... Replaced the speakers and it sounds great now.