Internal speaker issue - muffled

[bouda]

I had another issue with the mac mini and opened it to fix. Now, the internal speaker is not working correctly. If I play iTunes all I hear is a muffled noise, however when I turn the volume way down on both iTunes and the mini, the muffling is gone, but the volume is way too low to listen to anything. I double checked all the wires inside the mini and everything seems to be connected. External computer speakers work fine when plugged in. I tried an SMC reset as well as opening garage band. I also updated to 10.6.2 recently and can't recall if the internal speaker was working fine after this...


Anyone have any idea what is going on?

 

[bouda]

I had another issue with the mac mini and opened it to fix. Now, the internal speaker is not working correctly. If I play iTunes all I hear is a muffled noise, however when I turn the volume way down on both iTunes and the mini, the muffling is gone, but the volume is way too low to listen to anything. I double checked all the wires inside the mini and everything seems to be connected. External computer speakers work fine when plugged in. I tried an SMC reset as well as opening garage band. I also updated to 10.6.2 recently and can't recall if the internal speaker was working fine after this...


Anyone have any idea what is going on?

No one on this? It seems to be a software issue no?

 

[MacHamster68]

the only thing i know it that the mini has a small little tiny speaker inside to play the startup chime noise ...
never heard of anybody who played itunes through this little speaker
and its not software related as then you would have the same effect on external speakers too

here you see

it its this oval shaped thing under the optical drive so in reality its even covered up by the case , so it has to sound muffled
a option would be to drill some holes in the case in front of the speaker so soundwaves have a chance to exit the case

 

[bouda]

the only thing i know it that the mini has a small little tiny speaker inside to play the startup chime noise ...
never heard of anybody who played itunes through this little speaker
and its not software related as then you would have the same effect on external speakers too

here you see

it its this oval shaped thing under the optical drive so in reality its even covered up by the case , so it has to sound muffled
a option would be to drill some holes in the case in front of the speaker so soundwaves have a chance to exit the case

Thanks for the reply. I know about the speaker and its location, and generally I would not play iTunes thru it. However, even the startup chime sounds just like static. Something is wrong, because as I said, If i turn the volume way down, the sounds are very clear, but really really low - have to put your ear up to hear it. There is nothing wrong with the inside hook ups as I looked very carefully at all the wires. I have a feeling that the settings for the internal speaker has been messed up.

 

[MacHamster68]

you can always check the settings in the system preferences and you can always reset pram and reset permissions , if that makes a difference

 

[bouda]

Ok, I really think this is some sort of software issue as I replaced the audio board and the speaker from an older mac mini that both worked. It is almost as if there is a setting wrong in that the output of the internal speaker is not set up correctly...

 

[bouda]

you can always check the settings in the system preferences and you can always reset pram and reset permissions , if that makes a difference

tried pram and no dice. how do you reset permissions? I should also mention that I inherited this computer from someone and deleted the original user account. I would just do a fresh install, but I do not have the discs.

 

[MacHamster68]

sing Mac OS X, how do I repair permissions, and what does that do?

Mac OS X assigns specific access privileges, known as permissions, to all of your programs, folders, and documents. These permissions are usually managed automatically, but when a permissions error occurs, it can cause significant problems. For example, your applications may not launch, or your computer might respond slowly. These problems are more likely to occur after you update your operating system or install new software.

To improve your system's performance, use the permissions repair function in Disk Utility:

1. To open Disk Utility, from the Applications folder, open Utilities, and then double-click the Disk Utility icon.

2. In the column on the left, click your startup disk.

3. Click the First Aid tab, and then click Repair Disk Permissions. Disk Utility will reset any files and folders with incorrect settings.

 

[bouda]

sing Mac OS X, how do I repair permissions, and what does that do?

Mac OS X assigns specific access privileges, known as permissions, to all of your programs, folders, and documents. These permissions are usually managed automatically, but when a permissions error occurs, it can cause significant problems. For example, your applications may not launch, or your computer might respond slowly. These problems are more likely to occur after you update your operating system or install new software.

To improve your system's performance, use the permissions repair function in Disk Utility:

1. To open Disk Utility, from the Applications folder, open Utilities, and then double-click the Disk Utility icon.

2. In the column on the left, click your startup disk.

3. Click the First Aid tab, and then click Repair Disk Permissions. Disk Utility will reset any files and folders with incorrect settings.

Thanks again. Sad to report speaker not fixed.

 

[MacHamster68]

another option would be that the speaker itself is broken , that can happen too
if you know how to open the mini and how to connect a speaker,if you have one as spares (any speaker thats working will do to test it )with two wires attached , then just connect it and try it out, if the testspeaker works then the internal is broken

 

[bouda]

another option would be that the speaker itself is broken , that can happen too
if you know how to open the mini and how to connect a speaker,if you have one as spares (any speaker that working will do to test it )with two wires attached , then just connect it and try it out, if the testspeaker works then the internal is broken

I really do not think I damaged the speaker when I had the top off. The speaker worked fine after I had removed it, I remember hearing the startup sound.

But I would like to test this, i would need a speaker that has the same connection correct? I don't think I have another one with that kind of connection (plastic clip)... Is this how most internal speakers connect on other computers?

 

[MacHamster68]

I really do not think I damaged the speaker when I had the top off. The speaker worked fine after I had removed it, I remember hearing the startup sound.

But I would like to test this, i would need a speaker that has the same connection correct? I don't think I have another one with that kind of connection (plastic clip)... Is this how most internal speakers connect on other computers?

most do clip on with some sort of connector but not all use the same connector ,2 wires will do the testing job too ,as its only temporary
and some speakers just break without the need for damaging them , one in a iMac g3 i have just makes a metallic whistling sound when turned loud the other works still fine , these things happen

 

[bouda]

most do clip on with some sort of connector but not all use the same connector ,2 wires will do the testing job too ,as its only temporary
and some speakers just break without the need for damaging them , one in a iMac g3 i have just makes a metallic whistling sound when turned loud the other works still fine , these things happen

so I can just take a speaker from my stereo, put the wires into where the plastic clip goes, and I should hear noise?

 

[MacHamster68]

this little speaker is very sensible it seems to me as its not a very unusual fault on minis which have been upgraded


found on google :
"""Unfortunately, this may be a repair problem. I've had this happen several times after opening the Mac Mini to upgrade the memory or disc drive. There's a very thin and flimsy ribbon cable going from the logic board to the back of the DVD drive. It comes loose very easily. If it's jostled even slightly you'll lose your sound hardware. For some reason you may not notice this right away, but the next time you reboot"""" or after relocating the mini it can come slightly lose




so it seems you need to open it again very carfully and checking EVERY cable/wire that it is really snug fit , if its only slightly slightly slightly loose that can cause the speaker not working proper, so be even more careful when closing the mini again dont cause any vibration or shaking

..minis are small and cute things and sooooo sensible

 

[MacHamster68]

so I can just take a speaker from my stereo, put the wires into where the plastic clip goes, and I should hear noise?

exactly the size of the speaker does not matter you should hear clear noise

 

[bouda]

exactly the size of the speaker does not matter you should hear clear noise

i realize the size does not matter, i just did not think you could put speaker wire in where the mini's speaker plugs into, and have sound. thanks again.

 

[bouda]

this little speaker is very sensible it seems to me as its not a very unusual fault on minis which have been upgraded


found on google :
"""Unfortunately, this may be a repair problem. I've had this happen several times after opening the Mac Mini to upgrade the memory or disc drive. There's a very thin and flimsy ribbon cable going from the logic board to the back of the DVD drive. It comes loose very easily. If it's jostled even slightly you'll lose your sound hardware. For some reason you may not notice this right away, but the next time you reboot"""" or after relocating the mini it can come slightly lose


so it seems you need to open it again very carfully and checking EVERY cable/wire that it is really snug fit , if its only slightly slightly slightly loose that can cause the speaker not working proper, so be even more careful when closing the mini again dont cause any vibration or shaking

..minis are small and cute things and sooooo sensible

I know the ribbon in the back and it is tight as can be.

 

[MacHamster68]

btw a mate from me has converted the lacie harddrive enclosure into a speakersystem for the mini

he fitted the logitech v10 speakers inside it , so usb powered works great
and all that points out that there are speakers inside are two slots a bit bigger then the minis optical drive slot

he is just using the mini (g4 1.25)for itunes in his kitchen with a small lcd touchscreen i think 7" or 9" but not bigger

 

[bouda]

btw a mate from me has converted the lacie harddrive enclosure into a speakersystem for the mini

he fitted the logitech v10 speakers inside it , so usb powered works great

That's sweet. I have never had a mac mini. Bought it off ebay for $190. The power would go on and off by itself. Well I opened it and relized as I was putting it back together, the power button's wire was under part of the plastic where the screw was. So when the screw tightened, the power cord was effected. I fixed that by moving the power cord a little. Sound worked fine. Now, the internal speaker is terrible. I upgraded the software from 10.5 to 10.6.2, and deleted a user, but that is it in terms of software. I will be using it on my stereo so do not really need the internal speaker, but I want to fix it all, so it is bothering me.

 

[MacHamster68]

i'm nearly 99%sure its caused by a bad connection , not completly lose as it wont do anything then but just lightly to disturb the little speaker

 

[bouda]

i'm nearly 99%sure its caused by a bad connection , not completly lose as it wont do anything then but just lightly to disturb the little speaker

Yes, I just can't find it. i have checked everything. but will again tomorrow. do you think this will work for a test: if I take an old pair of headphones, cut the plug of, and plug the 2 wires into where the internal speaker wire goes.

 

[MacHamster68]

Yes, I just can't find it. i have checked everything. but will again tomorrow. do you think this will work for a test: if I take an old pair of headphones, cut the plug of, and plug the 2 wires into where the internal speaker wire goes.

it should work , speaker is speaker
i would have taken a old car speaker or just a speaker from your stereo or so as you dont have to cut something apart then

 

[bouda]

it should work , speaker is speaker
i would have taken a old car speaker or just a speaker from your stereo or so as you dont have to cut something apart then

I could not get the earphones or other speakers to work doing this - no sound out all so nothing was getting connected. I took the mini plug from my external computer speakers and had it touching the 2 metal pins that the internal speaker connects to. Connections was not that great obviously but I could hear the start up chime.

I found a used internal mini speaker on ebay for $10 shipped so will test with this. I am beginning to think the speaker damaged somehow.

 

[MacHamster68]

could well happen , i have a imac here with one speaker suddenly only makes a metallic whizzle sound , and this speakers are well protected so no chance of damaging them by chance , was working fine until last week "chrchrchr "came out of it other then musik

 

[CubeHacker]

it should work , speaker is speaker
i would have taken a old car speaker or just a speaker from your stereo or so as you dont have to cut something apart then

Uhh not true at all. Different speakers have different power ratings because they have different strength magnets. You apply a weak signal to a powerful magnet and the speaker won't work at all. You apply a powerful signal to a weak magnet and you blow the speaker.

It sounds to me like somehow your speaker got damaged/blown by running it at max volume. If it sounds ok at very low volume but muffled/distorted at higher volumes, then its not a connection issue.