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Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel

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I'm getting some crackling noise in the bass panel of one of my 3.6R speakers. It isn't that old -- about 5-6 years or so -- and it has not been abused.

Any help?

Follow Ups:

RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - slbenz 20:16:39 08/27/15 (0)
I have a set of actively biamped Magnepan IIIas and had a similar issue you described. I was using an ART active crossover but with power amps that only can use unbalanced connections. I then had to use a balanced to unbalanced adapter which over time created a similar crackling sound you described. If any of your connections use a balanced to unbalanced adapter, it may be that is the cause of what you are hearing. And even though I thought it would be a channel/connection issue, this configuration with the adapters followed the speaker that seemed to dislike this balanced/unbalanced configuration. I ended up ridding my problem by changing to an active crossover that didn't require me to use a balanced adapter.
RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - Green Lantern 06:27:53 08/24/15 (0)
If it's delam you can detect it fairly easily by first pinpointing the source of the crackle (ear close to the panel), then applying a slight bit of pressure on the area with your knuckle (placing tension on the loose wire).
If the crackling seems dominant throughout the entire panel, then it's most likely not delam but indeed an electrical issue.

Edits: 08/24/15
RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - neolith 07:20:05 08/23/15 (22)
The most obvious thing would be a mild case of the delams, possibly curable with Dr. DAP. OTOH, most cases of delam have a rattle rather than a crackle. Satie's suggestion of trying to isolate the frequency range is a good idea. A simple function generator can help. You can use various phone apps or download for free from the internet.
One other thing -- did you swap the crossover boxes on the speakers? A cold solder joint in the crossover could be causing the crackle.

Edits: 08/23/15 08/23/15
- RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - OldTimer 13:18:52 08/23/15 (18)
  from neolith's comment....
  
  Satie's suggestion of trying to isolate the frequency range is a good idea. A simple function generator can help. You can use various phone apps or download for free from the internet.
  Can you point an old timer in the right direction?
  May He Who Watches Over Us All, Watch Over You And Yours.
  
  Edits: 08/23/15
  - RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - neolith 13:50:25 08/23/15 (0)
    I use f generator on my iPad or the function generator downloadable from Marchand,
  - RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 13:29:33 08/23/15 (16)
    OK, I've done some testing along those lines. I generated a series of test tones of constant level at 5 hz intervals from 20 hz up to 250 hz. Here's the results:
    
    The noise seems to be worse in the 45-95 hz range. However, it occurs at all frequencies if I change the volume while a tone is playing. In other words, regardless of the frequency, the noise appears when I adjust the volume up or down. However, while playing tones in the 45-95 hz range, the noise will show up even while the volume is constant.
    - RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 13:31:53 08/23/15 (15)
      Re the noise showing up when the volume changes: It reminds me of the old-style analog volume pots -- when they'd get dirty or go bad, you'd get this static/crackling noise when you change the volume.
      - RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - Satie 14:15:01 08/23/15 (13)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by mikeand1 on August 23, 2015 at 13:31:53
        
        When you swapped power amp channels did you swap preamp channels as well?
        
        What you are saying seems to indicate an electronic problem rather than damage to the drivers. So swap pre channels and if that does not take the noise with it then check the XO boxes by swapping them out.
        
        Another thing that can cause that crackling is arcing on oxidized connectors - so get some deoxit and clean them all through the system, particularly on the speaker cables and jumpers.
        
        RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 14:22:34 08/23/15 (11)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by Satie on August 23, 2015 at 14:15:01
        
        Also, as stated above, I'm not using the stock crossovers. I use an active crossover system. The stock crossovers are sitting in a closet.
        
        RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - raya 17:44:53 08/23/15 (10)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by mikeand1 on August 23, 2015 at 14:22:34
        
        Swap the crossovers to the old ones to see if the problem continues.
        
        RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 18:00:42 08/23/15 (9)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by raya on August 23, 2015 at 17:44:53
        
        Thanks, but I'm not using the stock crossovers. I'm using an active crossover setup. I've already isolated every part of the signal path, including the preamp unit that implements the crossovers (a DEQX unit).
        
        THE CROSSOVERS ARE NOT THE PROBLEM; IT'S THE SPEAKERS.
        
        RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - Satie 18:33:44 08/23/15 (8)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by mikeand1 on August 23, 2015 at 18:00:42
        
        Are there any electronic components left within the speaker?
        
        Can you access them or do you need to take the sock off to get in? If it is indeed the speaker then that is going to be what needs to come next. Have you measured the impedance of the bass panels and tried to test the mid/treble for correct reading on the ohm meter (disconnect if the cap is still inside or the resistance of the mid or tweeter if you are triamping)
        
        Once you are done cleaning the contacts if the problem persists then,if you left the fuse in line see if the crackle continues when you short it.
        
        RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 20:08:27 08/23/15 (7)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by Satie on August 23, 2015 at 18:33:44
        
        I have no idea what's inside, I've never taken off the sock or gone inside the speaker in any fashion.
        
        I'll try the deoxit next and go from there.
        
        Thanks for the help.
        
        RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - neolith 08:22:58 08/24/15 (6)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by mikeand1 on August 23, 2015 at 20:08:27
        
        You should not have to take the socks off. Just open up the back panel -- all the connections to the woofer are at the panel.
        
        RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 12:11:46 08/24/15 (5)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by neolith on August 24, 2015 at 08:22:58
        
        I took off the panel, and aside from the wiring connections, I can't see much. There's a blue hockey-puck-like object just inside, but apart from that, I can't see much.
        
        There are no obvious defects in the wiring or connections that I can see.
        
        RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 12:52:19 08/24/15 (4)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by mikeand1 on August 24, 2015 at 12:11:46
        
        I should say the hockey-puck-like thing is pink, not blue.
        
        Pink or Blue - neolith 14:47:12 08/24/15 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by mikeand1 on August 24, 2015 at 12:52:19
        
        This is critical -- your inductors could be female rather than male :). Inspection alone may not reveal a cold solder joint (typically dull and rough appearing) but if you wiggle the wires while listening (this is perfectly safe) you may hear noise and identify the problem.
        
        RE: Pink or Blue - Norman M 17:03:51 08/24/15 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Pink or Blue posted by neolith on August 24, 2015 at 14:47:12
        
        Which wires might those be? 'Grantv' wisely suggested that 'mikeand1' swap solely the L/R speakers to determine if the noise followed the speaker.
        mikeand1 indicated having done that and the noise followed the speaker.
        The only 'wiggable' wires would then have to peculiar to, or internal, to the speaker, (or not)?
        
        RE: Pink or Blue - mikeand1 22:51:33 08/25/15 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Pink or Blue posted by Norman M on August 24, 2015 at 17:03:51
        
        I was wondering the same thing -- wiggle what wires?
        
        RE: Pink or Blue - Norman M 08:18:42 08/26/15 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Pink or Blue posted by mikeand1 on August 25, 2015 at 22:51:33
        
        Perhaps it was implied that you should unscrew the nameplate containing the jacks (to which the X-O box is designed to attach) and wiggle those internal wires within easy reach and listen for crackling. Who knows? Perhaps Neolith has something there. It's certainly worth a try in the process of elimination. "Open up the back panel" = back Nameplate?
        
        RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 14:21:37 08/23/15 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by Satie on August 23, 2015 at 14:15:01
        
        Yes, I've tried switching out everything -- the preamp channels, the power amp, the cables, and the speaker wires. It's definitely something in the speaker. But I haven't ruled out oxidation in the speaker jacks yet.
      - RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - neolith 14:14:46 08/23/15 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel posted by mikeand1 on August 23, 2015 at 13:31:53
        
        The next step is to gently press along the bass panel while it is crackling. You may be able to locate an area of delamination. I am not convinced however that this is delamination. Try jiggling or tapping on the speaker connections and perhaps opening the back panel and tap on the connection points to see if there is a cold joint.
- RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 13:09:51 08/23/15 (1)
  Oh, and re the crossovers: I'm not using the stock crossovers; I have an active crossover setup.
  - Assuming you switched sides on the external xover, then... - grantv 20:59:26 08/23/15 (0)
    Perhaps check all internal connections to xover parts inside next. I have a feeling this is wiring related due to your note in another post about being the entire panel.
- RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 13:09:09 08/23/15 (0)
  It's definitely a crackle, not a rattle. It sounds a bit like the static noise you hear from an FM radio signal that isn't perfect tuned in. It's somewhat erratic.
  
  I could post a sound sample if that would help.
RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - Satie 22:25:20 08/22/15 (2)
Standing by the speaker can you find the location from which the crackling noise is coming? Is there a particular range of frequencies that excite the noise, or is it dependent mostly on volume.?
- RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - mikeand1 13:07:30 08/23/15 (1)
  There's no particular spot on the driver where the noise is coming from. It's coming out of the whole thing.
  
  It happens more at high volumes, but it's still there even at low volumes.
  
  I can't yet if there's a specific frequency that causes it, but I will try some sweeps to see if I can isolate it.
  - RE: Noise/crackling in my 3.6R bass panel - DrChaos 12:18:00 08/24/15 (0)
    | There's no particular spot on the driver where the noise is coming from. It's coming out of the whole thing.
    | It happens more at high volumes, but it's still there even at low volumes.
    
    Those make me wonder if it's a dirty connector or failing crossover problem and maybe not the physical driver.
    You could try removing and cleaning all the connectors, and switching the external XO.
    Supposedly Magnepan changed the glue in maybe ~2005-2006 and it shouldn't delaminate as easily.
    
    Edits: 08/24/15
1st thing I always do is isolate the source of the sound. - grantv 20:42:50 08/22/15 (2)
Have you switched speakers ONLY left to right? If so, does it follow the speaker? Could be amp, well, almost anything...
- RE: 1st thing I always do is isolate the source of the sound. - mikeand1 20:57:28 08/22/15 (1)
  Yes, I've switched out all the components to isolate the speaker. It's definitely the speaker.
  
  (BTW, I'm using your excellent stands, not that that has anything to do with it!)
  - RE: 1st thing I always do is isolate the source of the sound. - Norman M 09:26:40 08/23/15 (0)
    Second thing, I'd rule out the presence of any Rice Krispies (Kellogg's 'snap crackle and pop' variety). Please forgive me.

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