Help Troubleshooting Dead Studio Speakers at DVinfo.net

Bob Kerner · October 9th, 2010, 07:03 PM

Greetings. I need some help trying to determine why my M Audio Studiophile AV40s are not making sound from the speakers. They are getting power (the blue LED on the volume knob is lit) and I can hear audio from the headphone jack on the front of the speakers. The power supply was surge protected.

My audio source--my Mac-- is working. Its internal speaker works and I get sound if I plug other speakers into the line out jack. The cables are intact to: I can use them to bring sound to another set of speakers.

I'm stumped. I've never had speakers die and the AV40s are only about 3 years old but I think I've inspected everything. Did I miss anything?

I'm anticipating the worst. The M-Audio forums have a number of posts about speaker failure and frustrated customers not getting return authorization for repairs (yes, I know forums tend to attract people with problems!). If it turns out my speakers are dead, what should I consider replacing them with? The AV40s were $200 (my preferred price range) and I'd get another set but not if the useful life is only 3 years.

Thanks
Bob

Bob Kerner · October 10th, 2010, 09:59 AM

53 views and no replies.

If anyone has any experience with M-Audio that would be helpful. I need to make a decision whether to replace them or pitch them altogether and use another brand. My goodness, I didn't realize how much I rely on speakers!

Paul R Johnson · October 10th, 2010, 11:36 AM

Bob - the fact the headphone output is fine, suggests the amp has died. Why not get it fixed. Open them up and check for obvious things - the simplest being a fuse. However, the most common problem will be the power supply. Active speakers rarely lose their output devices as the amp and speakers are matched so well - but the PSU is a likely culprit. Maybe you have a local electronics repair shop or a local enthusiast who can take a look. If you really liked them, ask M-Audio if they are willing to give you a special price on a replacement, as you don't want to buy from their competitors. If it's a known common fault, they might offer you a cheap repair (or even a free one) or maybe some decent discount on a new set. It always pays to ask.

Rick Reineke · October 10th, 2010, 11:57 AM

By your description it certainly sounds like a speaker box issue, but w/o hands-on testing.. no way to be sure. I'm not familiar with M-Audio speakers. The fact that the HP section works.. your audio is getting to the input stage /headphone jack? Any Internal speaker or power amp fuses/ breakers?

Choosing new monitors is like choosing mics, clothes, automobiles, Opinions and requirements vary. Go to your local music or pro-audio store and audition some, based on your price and size needs. Take along a CD or drive with some known program material on it.

Daniel Karr · October 10th, 2010, 12:06 PM

If the headphone jack on the speakers themselves are working I would think that the power supply is fine because it's powering the headphone amp and the LED just fine. I would guess something is wrong with the amp. Not sure what that would cost to fix. If you decide to get new ones, I would recommend the KRK Rokit 5's. They are $299 for the pair. I really like them.

Bob Kerner · October 10th, 2010, 01:59 PM

The amp. That makes sense, considering the headphones work fine.

Thank you,everyone. Just wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything obvious in my diagnostic attempts.

Reed Gidez · October 11th, 2010, 07:53 PM

Earlier this year, one of my M Audio speakers stopped working. 2nd time this happened. First time the speakers were still under warranty so I sent the bad unit back and it was repaired. This time, I searched the web and found a link on troubleshooting and saw that the likely culprit was a blown capacitor. Sure enough, the cap had failed (swollen, brown goo leaked out). Ordered replacements from a supply house and following the online instructions, replaced the caps on both speakers. Took about 25 minutes with a soldering iron and cost under $15 if I remember correctly.

Sorry, can't find the site right now but google or bing should get you pointed in the right direction.

Good luck!

Reed Gidez · October 13th, 2010, 05:22 AM

Follow up... found the repair info on the M-Audio forum on their website. Might be a good place to look for info on you AV-40.

October 9th, 2010, 07:03 PM	#1
Bob Kerner Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 388	Help Troubleshooting Dead Studio Speakers Greetings. I need some help trying to determine why my M Audio Studiophile AV40s are not making sound from the speakers. They are getting power (the blue LED on the volume knob is lit) and I can hear audio from the headphone jack on the front of the speakers. The power supply was surge protected. My audio source--my Mac-- is working. Its internal speaker works and I get sound if I plug other speakers into the line out jack. The cables are intact to: I can use them to bring sound to another set of speakers. I'm stumped. I've never had speakers die and the AV40s are only about 3 years old but I think I've inspected everything. Did I miss anything? I'm anticipating the worst. The M-Audio forums have a number of posts about speaker failure and frustrated customers not getting return authorization for repairs (yes, I know forums tend to attract people with problems!). If it turns out my speakers are dead, what should I consider replacing them with? The AV40s were $200 (my preferred price range) and I'd get another set but not if the useful life is only 3 years. Thanks Bob

October 11th, 2010, 07:53 PM	#7
Reed Gidez Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Oradell, New Jersey Posts: 283	Earlier this year, one of my M Audio speakers stopped working. 2nd time this happened. First time the speakers were still under warranty so I sent the bad unit back and it was repaired. This time, I searched the web and found a link on troubleshooting and saw that the likely culprit was a blown capacitor. Sure enough, the cap had failed (swollen, brown goo leaked out). Ordered replacements from a supply house and following the online instructions, replaced the caps on both speakers. Took about 25 minutes with a soldering iron and cost under $15 if I remember correctly. Sorry, can't find the site right now but google or bing should get you pointed in the right direction. Good luck! __________________ Reed Gidez

October 13th, 2010, 05:22 AM	#8
Reed Gidez Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Oradell, New Jersey Posts: 283	Follow up... found the repair info on the M-Audio forum on their website. Might be a good place to look for info on you AV-40. __________________ Reed Gidez

October 10th, 2010, 09:59 AM	#2
Bob Kerner Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 388	53 views and no replies. If anyone has any experience with M-Audio that would be helpful. I need to make a decision whether to replace them or pitch them altogether and use another brand. My goodness, I didn't realize how much I rely on speakers!

October 10th, 2010, 11:36 AM	#3
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,045	Bob - the fact the headphone output is fine, suggests the amp has died. Why not get it fixed. Open them up and check for obvious things - the simplest being a fuse. However, the most common problem will be the power supply. Active speakers rarely lose their output devices as the amp and speakers are matched so well - but the PSU is a likely culprit. Maybe you have a local electronics repair shop or a local enthusiast who can take a look. If you really liked them, ask M-Audio if they are willing to give you a special price on a replacement, as you don't want to buy from their competitors. If it's a known common fault, they might offer you a cheap repair (or even a free one) or maybe some decent discount on a new set. It always pays to ask.

October 10th, 2010, 11:57 AM	#4
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	By your description it certainly sounds like a speaker box issue, but w/o hands-on testing.. no way to be sure. I'm not familiar with M-Audio speakers. The fact that the HP section works.. your audio is getting to the input stage /headphone jack? Any Internal speaker or power amp fuses/ breakers? Choosing new monitors is like choosing mics, clothes, automobiles, Opinions and requirements vary. Go to your local music or pro-audio store and audition some, based on your price and size needs. Take along a CD or drive with some known program material on it.

October 10th, 2010, 12:06 PM	#5
Daniel Karr New Boot Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 15	If the headphone jack on the speakers themselves are working I would think that the power supply is fine because it's powering the headphone amp and the LED just fine. I would guess something is wrong with the amp. Not sure what that would cost to fix. If you decide to get new ones, I would recommend the KRK Rokit 5's. They are $299 for the pair. I really like them.

October 10th, 2010, 01:59 PM	#6
Bob Kerner Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New York Posts: 388	The amp. That makes sense, considering the headphones work fine. Thank you,everyone. Just wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything obvious in my diagnostic attempts.