How can I tell whether cables, speakers or amplifiers are malfunctioning?

This article is about passive speakers that are connected to an AV receiver or amplifier.

To find out what is causing them to malfunction, please carry out the following test:

1. Switch off the amplifier.
2. Connect the speaker cable from the (apparently) defective speaker to another speaker output. (So you only change the connection on the receiver, the speaker and cable remain the same for the time being)
   • Switch the amplifier back on and play something.
   • If the issue can still be heard, the speaker or the speaker cable is likely defective.
   • If the speaker you thought was malfunctioning is now working perfectly, the output of your amplifier is most likely defective.
3. If you continue to hear the issue, replace or check the speaker cable.
   • Use a cable from another properly functioning speaker for the test. Now connect the apparently defective speaker with the functioning cable to a properly functioning connection.
   • If the issue can still be heard, then the speaker is likely defective.
4. If everything is OK with the cable and the speaker, then the receiver/amplifier is most likely the cause.

Once you have found the source of the fault, read the information in the article My product is apparently defective.

If you still haven't been able to find the fault after all these tests, please contact us. Contact us

If the test was too complicated for you, take a look at the following video (turn on English subtitles):

Reading tip: When speakers are noisy: In pursuit of pure sound