I noticed that since yesterday, my speakers constantly crackle if I am using the CD changer or Tape deck. FM radio does not cause it to happen. Could my Amp be overheating or is this a stock headunit issue (pioneer)?

 

Funny I have the same problem when using inputs into the radio, but when its on the actual radio function it doesnt do it. I reduced my problem to input signal voltage. If its to high it crackles on mine so say when using my Ipod all I ever use I put the out put value on it in the middle range and it doesn't do it. Sorry I cant help with cd/tape maybe check connections.

 

hmm, i only have crackling from my rear passenger door speaker. it crackles even when i've got my headunit turned off.

 

The speakers could be dry rotted. Depending on the year you are looking at a 12-13 year old max speaker. The driver could be shot in there and and the stronger signal brings it out the crackling sound.

 

The crackling happens to all the speakers after I have had the CD on for at least 15 minutes. It works perfectly before those 15 minutes.

 

had that same problem in another car changed speakers it went away...

 

I highly doubt it's the speakers. They work perfectly if its not the CD changer input. I suspect the amp or CD changer, but I don't want to replace both if I don't have to.

 

I've noticed that after the three years I've had my baby that the sound quality has gotten progressively worse. Nothing I would have a hissy fit over but I used to keep the bass set at +7 and now it's at +4 or +5. Anything greater sounds awful.

New speakers and a double DIN would be nice...

 

As you turn up the gains like that the dirty the power gets unless it is amplified. So the dirty the power the more stress it puts on the drive and then you get distortion. After time that distortion makes the cone loses it's elasticity. Subs when pushed can reach temps of 500+ degrees...and can over heat the coil if not properly vented...although the small speakers may not reach these temps they still get hot and over a period of time....(15 mins now) they "get tired" and don't perform the way they should...if that makes sense.

 

that actually does make sense...... OP i think this is a good excuse to upgrade your sound system lol

 

mine only crackles when i use the cassette tape adaptor for ipod

 

Find a tape cleaner if they still make them to clean the heads. But upgrading is always an option....they have Bluetooth h/u that sync up to your iphone.

 

Yeah, in my case the tape deck was dirty. I light sprayed some compressed air inside the deck and used some tape cleaner. That solved the crackling issue with the tape deck. So now only the CD player causes crackling.

The radio and tape are fine, even when I'm blasting it, no rattling/crackling at all, even with full Bass and Treble.

If I'm playing a CD through the changer and blast it, it actually cuts off entirely. The track and CD # are still listed on the display but the song actually stops entirely unless I turn off the deck and turn it back on after a while. Only happens with CD after 15 min or so. I don't think its the amp because radio/tape work fine at any volume. I'll check the CD changer. Can they get dirty?

Still can't seem to be the speakers...especially since the CDs stop playing entirely.

Oh, and I'd rather keep my system stock. I'm also in the process of hooking up an aux input.

 

Yea...I know they have lens cleaner for the laser portion. They sell it at Best buy, Walmart etc...