My speakers don't make sense

**The Gentleman Scamp** · 11-03-2008, 10:23 AM

I got one of those speaker systems you can get for a grand and a half from any Big C or Lotus, anyway - for some reason they are now distorted but only with certain songs.

I could play Aerosmith crystal clear but Norah Jones will be distorted.

WTF is going on?

P.S. The other day I got some earphones from a Tesco Lotus tenant and his stall - they were 180 baht and foking shite, sounds like the music is a mile away being played down a youghurt pot attatched to another on the end of a piece of string.

I will go back there and be very angry and probably leave without a refund, I know they were 180 baht but they should not be sold at all if they are that shit.

**flash** · 11-03-2008, 10:43 AM

if you are using itunes try
itunes-preferences-playback and tick soundcheck
it adjusts the volume so that all the songs are the same

**Texpat** · 11-03-2008, 10:47 AM

Thai explanation: Maybe the speakers don't like Norah Jones.
My explanation: Cheap-ass magnets in the speakers can't handle mid-range tones.

Cheap in the West means inferior quality, meets low standards and expectations.
Cheap in Thailand means inoperative, worst possible construction, faulty electronics, complete waste of money.

The problem I often encounter is there's a huge price gap between the best shitty product and the shittiest best product. A store might sell 5 brands of cheap speakers between 900-1,500B.

Then their brand-name stuff begins at 5,000B (Yi haw peng peng)

There's seldom a middle ground.

**CharleyFarley** · 11-03-2008, 11:20 AM

"the best shitty product and the shittiest best product"

Sums up shopping in Thailand perfectly.

**The Gentleman Scamp** · 11-03-2008, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by flash

if you are using itunes try
itunes-preferences-playback and tick soundcheck
it adjusts the volume so that all the songs are the same

Cheers Flash i'll try that - though I've had the speakers since December and they were fine with all tracks up until recently.

Originally Posted by Texpat

Cheap in the West means inferior quality, meets low standards and expectations.
Cheap in Thailand means inoperative, worst possible construction, faulty electronics, complete waste of money.

Tex, the green you see from me in your Latest Reputation Recieved is for this quote.

**Norton** · 11-03-2008, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp

I could play Aerosmith crystal clear but Norah Jones will be distorted.

What player are you using? Also, if you have another computer or audio source try plugging in your system to it. I had a very similar problem to what you state and found it was my sound card and not the audio system at all!

Edited to add suggestion.

**peterpan** · 11-03-2008, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp

Cheers Flash i'll try that - though I've had the speakers since December and they were fine with all tracks up until recently.

On cheaply manufactured speakers and even expensive ones after much use the Cone comes apart from the driver, Result = compromised sound quality.
I have some good scan drivers, 5 yrs now they are all fvcked. I dunno what drivers KEF use in theirs but they seem to last well, have some 104/2 reference towers about 8 yrs old and still going well.

**Loombucket** · 11-03-2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Texpat

Thai explanation: Maybe the speakers don't like Norah Jones. My explanation: Cheap-ass magnets in the speakers can't handle mid-range tones.

I think that Texpat has it. Stuff like Aerosmith tends to be compressed, that is the difference between loud and quiet bits is evened out. Try it with a bit of classical music, if you have any. That normally sorts the good systems out. It could be a bad solder joint but, more likely, cheap componants. If you like your music, you have to buy the best that you can afford. Even then, they don't last for ever. One last thought, check your leads!

**The Gentleman Scamp** · 12-03-2008, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Norton

What player are you using?

MacBook Pro laptop connected by expensive gold plated plug/lead into a 1,300 baht Soken 2 speaker 1 bass unit system from Big C.

Cheers for all replies - to all of you:

I've bought cheaper units before in China and they have lasted until I have left them there or given them away.

Currently playing (last 10 minutes)

PLAYS FINE

PAUL YOUNG - LOVE OF THE COMMON PEOPLE
MAROON 5 - WAKE UP CALL
KAISER CHIEFS - OH MY GOD

DISTORTED

BEATLES - BLACKBIRD
MOZART - CONCERTO FOR FLUTE AND HARP
SCISSOR SISTERS - LAND OF A THOUSAND WORDS

Doesn't seem to be any discrimination there, hope it isn't sound card.

On full volume a distorted track will sound ok in the old earphones which as you can see from the OP I was hoping to replace.

(I went to the bathroom forgetting I had them in and ripped the speaker from it's cup! - has to be held in now)

**ChiangMai noon** · 12-03-2008, 10:59 AM

I need some new speakers actually.

what do people recommend and is it possible to get a good set for around 2,000 baht or do you have to pay more for a brand name?

**Norton** · 12-03-2008, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp

Doesn't seem to be any discrimination there, hope it isn't sound card.

99% sure it is the sound card. Connecting or disconnecting speaker or mic jacks with power on can cause shorts resulting in sound card failure. If the distortion problem started after you tore out the speakers it's even more certain the sound card is lunched. Does the "distortion" make some songs sound like they are coming out of a pipe or is it static noise? Only way to be sure it is the sound card is to hook your speakers to another source such as a DVD player or TV and see if sound is distorted.

**Marmite the Dog** · 12-03-2008, 11:32 AM

Have you got the volume auto leveller switched on?

**Ping** · 12-03-2008, 01:19 PM

Some years ago my (then) wife decided to vacuum all the speaker grills. Yep, ripped the woofer cones right off their mounts. She did a thorough job though - got every one of them. Ten twelve inch woofers (four per cabinet large, one per cabinet small) @ $350 a piece. I dare say that the result is the sound you are talking about. The other possibility is that you have driven the bass too hard and it has distorted the voice coil, producing a scratchy sound during bass beats. (If you ever hear a loud crack sound from your speakers, you are driving them too hard and will definitely either blow them or distort the coils.) Not too pleasant on the ears if you are driving a couple of hundred watts through each of them.

**flash** · 12-03-2008, 06:57 PM

i have harmon kardon soundstick 2. they work pretty good and didn't cost a fortune

**Frankenstein** · 18-03-2008, 09:18 PM

For 6 years I have used a pair of harman/kardon
multimedia pc speakers which I got for 500 baht. The shop clerk insisted that I buy those instead of more expensive setups with more speakers, given the sound quality. They have served really well but throughout the last year I think the sound has got worse, and I guess some internal parts are worn out.

Recently I have noticed Creative having a major campaign on 5.1 and 3.1 speaker sets here in Thailand as well as in the Middle East and in Europe. These speaker sets are compartively cheap, 1000 for the cheapest setup, up to 5000 for the more expensive ones. Does anyone have experience of these?

**Ping** · 18-03-2008, 10:00 PM

Sorry Frank, can't help with those. If you want a very good sounding set of computer speakers, I would suggest the Logitech Z-2300 2.1 system. Only $170 Aus (so around B5000) and superb sound for what they are. Two 40 watt RMS side speakers and a 120 watt RMS subwoofer (yes, 120 watts RMS!). Great for any type of music or for games effects and fully shielded (no bleed through). I was so impressed with them, I got a second set for my daughter's computer.

**The Basket Weaver** · 18-03-2008, 10:33 PM

If your budget is about 6000 baht and if you can get it, i'd recommend the well reviewed klipsch 2.1
ProMedia 2.1 - Computer Speakers, Computer Speaker System, PC Speakers

I've got the 2.0 set, excellent highs and mids(nice and detailed), balance is good, just lacking in lower bass. I would imagine the 2.1 with its separate sub would be better.

Or if you want really good sound quality you could use that money and get a decent set of headphones.

**The Basket Weaver** · 18-03-2008, 10:46 PM

I bought a set of the creative 5.1 for about 3000baht. Waste of money. The amplifier produces unacceptable hiss, crap detail. There is too much of a gap between bass and mids. Just sounds crap IMO.

**Marmite the Dog** · 19-03-2008, 12:21 AM

All of those surround systems for peanuts are crap.

I've got a set of these JBL Creatures which are perfectly good for the money, and you can rely on JBL producing quality items.

**Norton** · 19-03-2008, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I've got a set of these JBL Creatures which are perfectly good for the money, and you can rely on JBL producing quality items.

JBL always a good choice. It was a toss up between JBL or Harman Kardon when I considered new ones. Ended up with the Harman Kardon Soundstick II. Not sure why but the missus liked the looks of the L/R speakers better.

BTW: Where is the the OP? Haven't heard much from him.

**Frankenstein** · 19-03-2008, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

All of those surround systems for peanuts are crap.

I've got a set of these JBL Creatures which are perfectly good for the money, and you can rely on JBL producing quality items.

Stylish. How much did you shell out for those?

**Marmite the Dog** · 19-03-2008, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Stylish. How much did you shell out on those?

I can't remember now. I think they're about 6,000 Baht, but they could be less. You can buy them from the big computer store above Tescos in Fortune Town IT Mall.

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