There is no unambiguous and quick answer to the question - why the speakers in the car wheeze. There are at least 15 reasons, and each of them can be in your case. It's not hard to find her. However, the entire list will have to be worked out. To eliminate most of the causes of wheezing speakers in a car, it is not necessary to go to the master. Information that will help you do this on your own can be found in this material.

Which speaker is wheezing?


The first step in finding the cause of the sound of car acoustics with distortion is the calculation of the “guilty”. There are two common options here: a) all the speakers in the cabin wheeze; b) the sound is distorted in only one speaker. If you already know which of them is your case, a good third of the reasons described below disappear immediately.

Let's take a quick look at how to find out exactly where the source of wheezing is. You can do this in two simple ways:

  1. Using the settings of the car radio.
  2. By turning off the dynamic heads one by one.

The first way is easier and faster. However, it may not be available if the radio does not have the necessary adjustments. You may not know where they are or how to use them. On many budget and old models, such settings are not provided at all. In this case, immediately go to the second method.

What settings are needed? First, balance adjustment. This function redistributes the power of the radio between the left and right speakers. Designated by the letters BAL. Secondly, you need to adjust the fader, which distributes power between the front and rear speakers. Designated by the letters FAD.

The wheezing speaker search algorithm is as follows:

  1. Turn on the music at a volume at which distortion is heard constantly.
  2. Using the BAL setting, shift the power (all the way) first to the left, then to the right speakers.
  3. Do the same to adjust FAD.

Example. Adjusted the balance so that the right side is completely quiet. If the wheezing is gone, then obviously guilty on the right side. The left side of the acoustics is checked in the same way. Then the front or back side is excluded. If the distortion does not disappear, then you most likely have all the speakers wheezing.

Calculated. Remembered. We move on.

In what mode do the speakers wheeze?


This is also important, since the list of possible causes depends on the mode in which distortions appear. There can also be two options here: a) the speakers wheeze only at high volume; b) distortion is heard constantly. Additionally, pay attention to what exactly you are listening to - radio, recordings from a flash drive or other media, the style of music. Perhaps, depending on this, wheezing appears and disappears.

In the reasons described below, there are clarifications as to whether they apply to a particular case. This will save time and speed up diagnostics.

Possible Causes: Troubleshooting


For the same saving of your time, we first list them in a short list:

  1. Inadequate radio setting.
  2. On-board voltage drops.
  3. Poor contact in speaker circuits.
  4. Incorrect connection of dynamic heads.
  5. The speakers in the car are not matched correctly.
  6. The car radio "does not pull" the load hung on it.
  7. The radio is overheating.
  8. The car radio is on fire.
  9. The speaker coil has fallen off.
  10. Damaged speaker cone.
  11. Clogged speaker coil.
  12. Deterioration of lead wires.
  13. Interference.
  14. Poor audio quality.
  15. The speaker is not fixed.

For those who are inclined to study the problem more deeply and meticulously, each reason is described in more detail below.

Inadequate car radio setup


It manifests itself more often in cases where the speakers in the car wheeze all without exception, and at high volume.

The radio settings can either improve the sound or worsen it
The radio settings can either improve the sound or worsen it

To eliminate this cause, pay attention to the equalizer adjustments. Perhaps the low frequencies are wound too much, and the power of the radio is not enough to “feed” them. In BASS, SUPER modes BASS, ROCK - low frequencies are overstated by definition.

Also, on many models there is a forced sound amplification setting. Denoted as LOAD. In general, if you use this function wisely, then the sound quality of budget car acoustics can be dramatically changed for the better. On the other hand, when it is turned on at a high volume level, the speakers begin to wheeze.

On-board voltage drops


All the speakers in the car wheeze. Exceptionally high volume.

Stable voltage of the on-board network is important for music
Stable voltage of the on-board network is important for music

A sore point for many motorists. And for owners of powerful acoustics in the car - almost the number one problem. However, the head unit with simple speakers consumes a lot of energy. Accordingly, if the on-board system does not hold the load, not only wheezing appears in the music. Crashes, automatic reboots, and other problems are also possible. There is a separate material about drawdowns of on-board voltage - study it.

Poor contact in speaker circuits


First, check the power supply circuit of the radio. By default, there are two nondescript fused wires. If you like loud music with deep bass, you need serious wires. In addition, they must reliably contact both the on-board network of the car and the radio connector. If the contact disappears from the slightest vibration, then this is one of the reasons for the wheezing of the speakers in your case.

One bad connection can cause big problems
One bad connection can cause big problems

The second point is the contact between the radio and dynamic heads. For standard acoustics, it is not at all necessary to buy the so-called "audiophile" wires. Fairly simple, designed to transmit an audio signal (shielded). The main thing is to have reliable contact. Check these places, remove oxides, dust, dirt, replace loose terminals.

Incorrect connection of dynamic heads


Refers to cases where the speakers in the car wheeze mainly at medium and high volumes, and selectively.

The problem occurs when there are two or more speakers on the same channel
The problem occurs when there are two or more speakers on the same channel

Despite the fact that the speakers have a “plus” and “minus” (as well as at the outputs from the radio), incorrect connection in this case cannot be the cause of wheezing. If you confuse "+" and "-" on the speakers, they will simply "pump" to the wrong place where they are connected correctly. This can have a bad effect on the quality and maximum volume of sound, but distortion is not in business here.

Problems arise when two or more speakers are incorrectly hung on one channel. For example, the main and squeaker. Here, keep in mind that dynamic heads have two main parameters - power and resistance. Specified in watts and ohms, respectively. And you can connect two (or more) speakers to one channel in two ways - in series and in parallel.

With any of these connections, the power delivered to the channel is summed up. For example, if one head is 40W, and the second is 20W, then the total channel can consume 60W. However, if everything is simple with power, then with resistance it is not. When connected in series, it is summed up, and when connected in parallel, it is distributed.

To illustrate, let's look at a couple of examples.

There are two speakers - a 40W main speaker and a 10W tweeter. The resistance on both is 8 ohms. We connected them to the channel in parallel - we got a load with two branches, with a total resistance of 8 ohms. This means that the power is distributed equally between them. Since the base is rated for 40 watts, and the tweeter is only 10 watts, when the volume is increased, the latter will work “above its head”. And this already leads to distortions.

If we connect these two speakers in series, the channel impedance will be already 16 ohms. Wheezing is unlikely to appear. But the volume of acoustics can be very low.

It should be? The easiest option is speakers that meet the following requirements:

  • the same power;
  • the same resistance
  • connect in parallel;
  • the radio tape recorder is designed for a load with the resulting resistance;
  • the same goes for power.

If the speakers are connected haphazardly, not only wheezing is possible, but also a quick failure.

Speakers in the car are selected incorrectly


It manifests itself in the same cases - the speakers in the car wheeze at medium and high volumes, and selectively.

If you understand what was discussed in the previous paragraph, then this reason is already clear to you. Select the speakers so that a particular radio tape recorder can “pump” them. To do this, three parameters must be taken into account:

First, let's look at what the radio can do. Then we select suitable speakers for it, and connect them correctly.

The car radio "does not pull" the load hung on it


The symptoms are still the same - the speakers in the car wheeze at medium and high volumes, and selectively.

This point, too, no longer needs a detailed explanation. The only thing worth mentioning is the nominal and peak power. On radio tape recorders and speakers, they often write in large numbers not the nominal, but the peak power. This is the one that the equipment is capable of delivering for a very short time. Under no circumstances should you rely on it. Moreover, for advertising purposes, these indicators are inadequately overestimated.

You need to look at the rated power. For example, if you buy car speakers for 30-50 dollars, then they cannot be 300-500 watts. Although it is these numbers that can be written in large print on the box. Again, there is absolutely no point in taking powerful speakers, which are then connected directly to a cheap radio tape recorder (without a good amplifier).

The radio is overheating


Wheezing appears some time, after listening to music at a solid volume.

The sound amplification chip in the car radio overheats. When this happens, it "falls" into protection mode, which causes sound distortion or dips. Reasons: a cheap fake was installed instead of the original; too weak heat sink; no thermal paste.

Car radio burned out


The speakers immediately after turning on play normally, and after a while they begin to wheeze.

It looks like an audio amplifier chip
It looks like an audio amplifier chip

Burn, but not burn out completely, in the radio can be components such as the same amplification chip, electrolytic capacitors (dry out from overheating and time), and other small things. If you have the skills to work with a soldering iron, you can try to examine the burnt parts on the board and replace them with new ones. Sometimes it is enough to look for the black traces of burning. In difficult cases, you will have to use testers.

Loose speaker coil


Rattling is heard in any mode. At a quiet volume may be absent.

Coil completely destroyed
Coil completely destroyed

The coil is glued into the dynamic head, and is responsible for converting the electrical audio signal into mechanical operation of the cone. Falls off from humidity, heat, temperature changes and old age. It is detected by visual inspection of the wheezing speaker from the back. Repair is also possible, but difficult.

Damaged speaker cone


Distortions are audible at medium and high volumes, and especially when playing low frequencies.

In this state, the column will definitely wheeze
In this state, the column will definitely wheeze

The diffuser "pumps" the air, transmitting sound vibrations through it. Most often, it peels off from the elastic suspension or breaks due to exorbitant loads. Detected by visual inspection. Repaired by craftsmen.

Clogged speaker coil


In addition to wheezing, creaking, cutting, whistling and other extraneous sounds can be heard from the speakers.

Dust cap repair process
Dust cap repair process

Dust caps protect the speaker coils from dirt and debris. They are planted on glue, and therefore can fall off from old age or for other reasons. The cause is easily identified and eliminated.

Lead wire wear


It can wheeze in any mode, and not always.

This is what a healthy lead wire looks like
This is what a healthy lead wire looks like

The lead wires are designed to carry the audio signal to the coil. They pass through the diffuser, to which they must be securely glued. When these wires come loose, lose elasticity, or break, distortion occurs. The cause is identified by visual inspection. It is quite possible to replace the lead wires, although this is still a task.

Interference


Distortion appears at any volume.

Anything can interfere - a mobile phone, a car ignition system, a navigator. Because of this, it can be extremely difficult to identify the cause. Meanwhile, if the speakers and radio are known to be good, then it makes sense to think about shielded wires and a filter along the power line. The latter can be built with your own hands according to one of the million schemes on the Internet. They are also on sale.

Poor audio quality


It does not always appear.

If the speakers in your car wheeze periodically, it may be worth paying attention to what the radio is playing. For example, if it is a radio, then it may not catch well. There is a separate article about this. Music downloaded from the Internet and stored on a flash drive may have a low bitrate. Because of this, at medium and high volumes, the speakers begin to wheeze, hum, and so on. Often sound problems arise for those who use the transmitter.

Speaker is not fixed


Loose speaker makes a lot of extraneous sounds
Loose speaker makes a lot of extraneous sounds

In conclusion, do not forget to check the speakers for their secure mounting in regular places. It is not uncommon for screws and self-tapping screws to loosen on their own due to vibrations, which is the cause of wheezing and rattling sounds. If such a problem is identified, it can be eliminated with the help of so-called thread lockers. These are liquids that, as it were, glue the thread of the screw, preventing it from being released from vibrations. In this case, if necessary, it can be unscrewed in the usual way.

Conclusion


 

Crib:

Why do car speakers wheeze?

Cause

Solution

Inadequate radio settings

Play around with the settings

On-board voltage drop

Read an article on the topic on Auto without a service station

Bad contact

Find, clean, securely connect, protect against corrosion

Car speakers not connected correctly

Connect correctly

Unsuitable speakers

Choose according to the power of the radio or amplifier

The radio does not pull the load

Change the radio, or put less powerful speakers

Radio overheating

Check and improve the cooling of the audio amplification chip

Burning radio

Find and replace burnt elements

Loose speaker coil

Sometimes it can be repaired, but it is better to replace immediately

Broken speaker cone

Glue or replace with a new one

Dynamic head coil clogged

Check boot, glue, replace

Deterioration of speaker lead wires

Solder, replace with whole, glue

Interference

Find the source of interference, eliminate or install a filter

Poor audio quality

Burn high quality music to flash drive

Speaker fell off

Tighten the fasteners, and in case of thread wear, twist them side by side into living material

Bookmark the cheat sheet so you don't lose it.

 

The article did not consider cases when the speakers in the car wheeze due to the fact that they themselves are of poor quality or defective. Unfortunately, these are becoming more and more common. Same problem with tape recorders. Therefore, if you save a lot on the components of the speaker system, you will have to put up with poor sound quality and various distortions.

VIDEO: how to fix car audio noise