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You’ve invited your friends for a road trip. Everything’s sorted – the food, the drinks, the entertainment… but wait just a second! What’s that sound? Or more accurately, where did the sound go? Great, a blown speaker in your car is the last thing you need before you and your friends make that long journey ahead! Is it possible to fix a blown speaker (see also 'How To Reset A Pioneer Radio')? As with anything that’s damaged, it all depends on the cause, where in the speaker the issue is located and the extent of the problem. Here’s what to do if you find yourself in this tricky situation. What Causes A Blown Speaker? Electrical power – specifically too much of it – is the main reason a speaker can blow out. Physical damage, aging, or deterioration of the product can also cause them to blow out. But how can you tell if your speaker has been blown out in the first place? Your speaker can also blow out if it experiences too much signal. This happens when the voice coil of the speaker experiences too much heat, meaning this is the part that’s likely to get burned out. Remember we mentioned that physical damage can cause a speaker to blow out? This is because speaker drivers can get torn or stretched when the signal is too high. This could result in the tearing of the speaker’s driver (see also 'What Is A Two Way Speaker?'). Older models of speakers are more susceptible to damage by aging. There’s not a lot you can do to prevent this one, as it happens as a result of everyday wear and tear. It’s probably about time to invest in some new speakers (see also 'What Are Coaxial Speakers?'). However, the good news is there are ways you can fix the other causes, but more on that later. How Can I Tell If A Speaker Is Blown? A ‘blown speaker’ is used to describe anything within your speaker that either doesn’t sound right or isn’t working at all. Hopefully, your speakers weren’t too expensive to begin with, but if they were, it could become a costly issue. Generally, you can tell a speaker has been blown if the sound produced is distorted, no sound is coming out of the system at all or the cone of the speaker appears to be torn. A small tear could, unfortunately, turn into a bigger tear, meaning a distorted sound could get worse or the sound could eventually cut out completely. You can also tell a speaker has blown if there are high levels of distortion, limited frequency response or the sound level is low. Your speakers might also omit intermittent sound, and high noise levels. On the other end of the spectrum, your speakers might not have any sound or refuse to turn on. A blown fuse or loose wires can also be the culprit of a speaker that appears to be damaged. However, in this case, it’s not the speaker that has been blown at all. You'll want to replace the fuse or fix the wires to address this problem. It’s an easy mistake to make, as loose wires can lead to the speaker's sound being distorted. Can Blown Speakers Be Repaired? Luckily, a blown car speaker can be repaired depending on the cause. You can do this by replacing the parts of the speaker that have damage (see also our article on windshield damage). As well as this, you can also try to prevent speakers from blowing out in the first place. You can do this by making sure the volume level is safe and using them in a safe location. While it can be repaired, it’s important to note it’s not a job that’s recommended to do by yourself. However, if you don’t mind giving it a whirl, there’s a simple fix using a patch and glue kit that could just about get the job done. How To Repair A Blown Speaker The first step you’ll want to take to repair a blown speaker is to locate where the issue is. You’ll want to play some music with a CD to test each speaker’s sound and figure out which one is causing the issue. Do this at a low to moderate volume, turning the sound off when you locate the issue. Then, you’ll need to disconnect the speaker and remove any paneling using a screwdriver. If you can smell burning near the speaker, press the cone inward to check if the voice coil is broken. A crunchy sound is indicative of a broken coil. You can also look out for any physical damage to the cone – those tears or scratches we mentioned earlier. If you find anything, get a patch and glue repair kit for a quick fix. Make sure the glue isn’t dripping wet, but that it spreads out enough to cover the cone’s surface area. Place down the patch to seal it to the cone. Some glue should have come through the back of the speaker – spread it out and apply more of the patch, Once you’ve refitted the parts, reassemble the speaker (after letting the glue dry! This should take around an hour). It’s really important not to touch the cone patch as it’s drying because this could cause more damage to the cone. If the cone is severely damaged, it’ll need to be replaced. If the issue is in the voice coil, this will need to be replaced if it’s melted. It’s also possible to replace the cone by getting a replacement and gluing it on. Once these are in place, place the speaker’s surround by applying glue before putting it back on. Wait for it to dry and then connect all the wires and screws back onto the speaker. Then test your speaker to see if it’s working again! How Much Is It To Fix A Blown Speaker? As we’ve discussed in the above section, using a patch kit is a relatively simple and inexpensive way to fix a blown speaker. However, getting it repaired professionally could prove a bit more costly. It all depends on the level of fixing your blown speaker needs and what result you’d be happy with. Summary In summary, it’s quite an easy fix to repair your blown speaker yourself if you’re not looking for professional results. While some causes of broken speakers can be repaired – such as damage to the cone – other causes, like aging, might not be possible to fix. If you want your speakers to be back in their prime condition, it might be worth getting a professional to help, or even going out and buying a new pair yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqRf2IJn0YI

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