Sound is only coming from one speaker

[Aerozord]

I went on my computer and it simply didn't come out of the right speaker. Connection is fine, I checked different audio files to make sure it wasn't just the game, then I switched audio balance completely to the right to make sure it wasn't just my imagination and it was not.

Right is the primary speaker

[Krylo]

Sounds like a hardware problem. Namely the speaker.

Buy new speakers.

Alternatively: Try hitting it.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

I would change the wires first. Probably the wires.

[Aerozord]

well think its working now, for absolutely no reason. of course now that I think about it, they are like, 6 years old. Might be time to buy new ones anyways

[edit] what about the wires? I see no breaks and its connected fine

[Professor Smarmiarty]

I'm assuming these are external speakers... speaker wires tend to be really breakable and they're insulated so you can't see where the break is. If one of the speakers goes out try either moving the wire around to see if can get a connection or just replacing it completely.
Wires always look ok on the outside but unless you cut open the insulation is hard to tell.

[Krylo]

Wires age poorly and sometimes the actual wiring inside can get worn, break, etc. without any outward signs of trouble. In some appliances like toasters and what not, this can cause house fires even if the wires look ok. Which is why you are supposed to, ideally, check wires for any melting from time to time.

Changing them would be pulling them out, getting new wires, and then soldering them back in.

In my opinion, unless you have a surround sound system of some sort, it's really not worth it for computer speakers.

Unless, I guess, you're lucky enough to have speakers with wires that detach completely.

Edit: Ninja'd like a mofo.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Yes that's what I mean. And for some reason every speaker cable I have ever had was made of like pulped cardboard and they disintegrate all the time.
Depending on your setup you may not even need to solder them, if the contacts are large enough you can just wrap a new wire around, is good way to test.

[Aerozord]

well the wires pretty much never get moved, but they were like, 10 dollar speakers. Guess I will just go looking for some new ones. While topic is here anything in particular I should pay attention to while shopping for them?

[Fenris]

Aerozord, please put tags on your threads.

Thanks.

[synkr0nized]

well the wires pretty much never get moved, but they were like, 10 dollar speakers. Guess I will just go looking for some new ones. While topic is here anything in particular I should pay attention to while shopping for them?

Ah, the cheap speakers. I have a set for another machine for testing things and the random times I want to pull video on it instead of the one with the big speakers. The left speaker cut out for a while. I jiggled the wires to no avail. Then it started working again after several months.

Long story short the cheap speakers are exactly that.


As for recommendations about what to look for, that depends on what you're going for with computer speakers.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

If your speakers are that cheap I would just buy new ones. You can ass around and try to fix but about as expensive as just buying new ones. Keep the old ones, then if new ones conk out, maybe the old ones will start owrking again.

[Aerozord]

well atleast right now I dont need anything high end. Just stereo speakers that can keep up with standard music, video, and games.

[synkr0nized]

I question how much enjoyment one can get with music and games through the 1-5W cheap stereo speakers. I'd push for even a simplistic 2.1 setup; the wattage isn't much better, but having a little more character and tone in your audio is a significant difference.


But I have a 5.1 home theatre-like setup, so perhaps I am coming from the far side of the other end of the spectrum.

[Aerozord]

update: tried fiddling with the wire as suggested and got it to work. So probably that. I'll get new ones even if just to prevent a potential house fire and replacing the wires would cost about the same as what I paid for these things

[Professor Smarmiarty]

As long as the insulation is good there is like no chance of a fire. I mean replace it if you can bu I wouldn't be assed about it.

As for speaker qualities- as long as it tells me when a baddy is behind me that' all I need from a speaker.

[Eltargrim]

For a recommendation of bang for buck, I spent about 80 CAD for Logitech Z323 (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speakers-audio/home-pc-speakers/devices/5862)s, a 2.1 system that I've found very, very nice.

[Krylo]

As long as the insulation is good there is like no chance of a fire. I mean replace it if you can bu I wouldn't be assed about it.

Yeah, not for speaker wires. They don't have much juice going through them, really.

You don't sound like an audiophile at ALL, Aero, so I'd suggest either just getting something cheap as shit, or, if you want to see what the hubbub is about, grabbing a nice 2.1 system. You might be surprised at the difference it makes.

[Nikose Tyris]

In terms of 2.1 systems:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5213996&CatId=5998

This is probably more up your alley, and slightly more affordable.

[Fifthfiend]

One thing to check before you buy new speakers, try a pair of headphones in your computer's audio jack to make sure that isn't what's broken.

[akaSM]

And adding to Fifth's idea, test your speakers with something else. At least the next time your speakers are failing, or you think they're.