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DIY/Repair advice needed

post #1 of 12
10/29/10 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 

Why hello there!

 

Thanks for opening this thread and being willing to help a newbie smily_headphones1.gif

 

So I have this problem with my computer speakers at work. They are old and they hiss really, really bad. Since I love them a lot and am emotionally attached to them, I am looking for a way to fix them.

 

The speakers in question are 2.1 system from Altec Lansing. Model is VS-4121. As I already said, they have a rather nasty hiss that gets worse when volume is increased and/or treble and bass either turned to the minimum or maximum values (using the adjusters on the unit). Another problem is that whenever I move them they sound as if someone is tapping a microphone (sorry, that's the best description I have, heh), that sound comes from all speakers, if that's of any relevance.

 

So, what could be wrong with it and what could I do to fix them (yeah, I know we're talking aboug $50 speakers (they actually were $100 when I got them some five years ago) but I still don't want to throw em out)?

 

Any suggestions (save ones that recommend to dump the speakers) will be appreciated!

 

Thank you very much!

 

 

P.S.

Sorry for typos/grammar, writing in a foreign language here.

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post #2 of 12
10/29/10 at 9:43pm

 

Hi v1ks,

 

I have the exact same pair of speakers, believe it or not, and I walked into the other room and tried to replicate your problems with no success. My guess is that one of the wires might need to be replaced, however since you say the sound is affecting all the speakers, I would say you would be better off buying a new pair of speakers. I know that isn't the response you wanted to hear, and I wouldn't discourage you attempting to repair them, but I would say the entire system's wiring would need to be replaced, and I'm just not sure it's worth it for the speakers you are listening to. 

 

The speakers come with a headphone out, correct? I would plug in a pair of headphones in and try and replicate the problems you are having with your speakers while the headphones are plugged in. If the sound is still messed up through the headphones, I'd say your problem lies with the cable and has potential for being fixed.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by v1ks View Post

Why hello there!

 

Thanks for opening this thread and being willing to help a newbie smily_headphones1.gif


 No problem.

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post #3 of 12
10/30/10 at 4:04am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the reply Bob!

 

The problem is there with the headphones as well, it's also present when the satellites are unplugged, which I forgot to mention in the previous post (although I don't get that noise as is if someone is tapping and brushing a mic against themselves).

That's why I sort of thought that it might be something to do with the built in amp, perhaps the caps need changing or maybe the coil? Ideas?

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post #4 of 12
10/30/10 at 1:56pm

That's going pretty far for a 50 dollar pair of speakers in my opinion. Even if you are emotionally attached to them, I'd say it's time to upgrade. 

 

Open everything up and check to see if something came loose, or just look around at the parts to see what you are getting yourself into. Good luck, what you are doing is beyond my know-how, but maybe someone else can stop by with more advice.

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post #5 of 12
10/30/10 at 5:21pm

So if you have this hissing noise when the satellites are "unplugged" (do you mean disconnected?) just where is it coming from? The subwoofer? What if the computer is disconnected from the subwoofer? Where does the computer connect to the speaker system?

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post #6 of 12
10/31/10 at 1:30am
Thread Starter 

Yup, with unplugged I mean disconnected and yes, still hissing when unplugged from the computer and yes, it comes from the woofer. Computer connects to the woofer which has an built in amp, satellites connect to the woofer as well (obvioulsy smily_headphones1.gif ) one with a plain wire, one with a thicker cable for the speaker with power button/volume/tone adjustments on it. When the sattelites are not connect the hiss comes just from the woofer. When I plug in sattellites, they hiss as well.

 

VS4121-R-3.jpg

 

The problem with an upgrade is the fact that I can't find -anything- interesting in sub-$100 category that I can get around here. I'd consider Creative GigaWorks T3, but it just costs more than I can afford at the moment. Logitech's stuff is either 5.1, which I don't want/need or 2.1 systems... I don't know, I just don't like their 2.1 systems... the Z523 for example.

If it's just changing the caps, it shouldn't be expensive or difficult (or so I imagine). I've burnt my fingers with a soldering iron a few times when I was a kid, so it's not like I haven't used one before biggrin.gif

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post #7 of 12
10/31/10 at 9:04am

OK then, take that sub apart. Look for anything loose or blown in there. Also, take a picture.

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post #8 of 12
10/31/10 at 12:52pm
Thread Starter 

Opened it up, nothing seems to be loose, nothing seems to be blown... to my noobish eye at least. Hope you prove me wrong there...

 

DSCF1936.JPGDSCF1937.JPGDSCF1922.JPG

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post #9 of 12
10/31/10 at 12:58pm

i think i know the problem.... it looks like someone has been very sick inside it.

 

christ thats a bad build, i would be ashamed to produce that.

 

ona  more helpful note.... i dont think you will be able to trace the hiss without a scope. Something is introducing the noise, but with a simple dmm you wont find it.


Edited by adamus - 10/31/10 at 1:10pm
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post #10 of 12
10/31/10 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by adamus View Post

christ thats a bad build, i would be ashamed to produce that.

 

ona  more helpful note.... i dont think you will be able to trace the hiss without a scope. Something is introducing the noise, but with a simple dmm you wont find it.


^I agree. Sorry we couldn't help you, but I think you need to buy a new set of speakers 

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post #11 of 12
10/31/10 at 6:13pm

Send it to me from ..lalaland.. and I'll try to find the problem. I have a signal generator and an oscilloscope. No charge, just pay for the shipping.

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post #12 of 12
11/1/10 at 2:57am
Thread Starter 

Bwahaha, fine, fine... new speakers it is then. Though that comment about someone being very sick was somewhat amusing biggrin.gif

Guess I'll just get a set of VS4621 or something...

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