Hi all,
Just bought a Logitech (brand) 2.1 speaker system to use with my computer. Overall it works - kinda... but one speaker channel is quite faint, and using the volume knob reveals one channel fades out long before the other. At full volume (using the external hardware volume knob) the levels are almost (but not quite) level i.e. the sound is nearly central, but still biased against the weaker speaker.
I took out the rear panel to expose the board, and it looks like a capacitor (??) has split... there's a form of white, creamy looking goo on the pcb, and one of a pair of components has clearly split. As above though - I do have all channels working.
I thought rather than send it back to Amazon (I bought it secondhand) I might be able to simply repair it myself. I have a very basic knowledge of electronics, and a multi tester.
Is anyone here able to advise or help? Should I simply aim to replace the obviously defective part, or are there other tests I can/should do first?? The components won't cost much, but I'd prefer not to half repair it!
Can post photos etc. if helpful 🙂
Just bought a Logitech (brand) 2.1 speaker system to use with my computer. Overall it works - kinda... but one speaker channel is quite faint, and using the volume knob reveals one channel fades out long before the other. At full volume (using the external hardware volume knob) the levels are almost (but not quite) level i.e. the sound is nearly central, but still biased against the weaker speaker.
I took out the rear panel to expose the board, and it looks like a capacitor (??) has split... there's a form of white, creamy looking goo on the pcb, and one of a pair of components has clearly split. As above though - I do have all channels working.
I thought rather than send it back to Amazon (I bought it secondhand) I might be able to simply repair it myself. I have a very basic knowledge of electronics, and a multi tester.
Is anyone here able to advise or help? Should I simply aim to replace the obviously defective part, or are there other tests I can/should do first?? The components won't cost much, but I'd prefer not to half repair it!
Can post photos etc. if helpful 🙂
That goo You mention is perhaps silicone glue, very common on smps. Is the capacitor cracked ? If affirmative replace it and clean the board. As what Volume concerns, short the potentiometer in order to rule out pot failure or try to spray in contact cleaner to see if it helps. The same applies to jacks. It can also be a bad cable or solder. Post some pictures.
Awesome! Thanks already for the help. Will post pics tomorrow (it's gone midnight here) but to address a couple of your comments:
yes, one of a pair of capacitors is definitely split - I can clearly see the insides, and it's clearly different from its pair.
Short the pot? That one has lost me slightly... obviously bridge across a couple of terminals, but how to tell which ones?
Will get some cleaner in there for sure.
My only real concern at present is: if I'm running this with one faulty part, is it likely to cause any additional damage or can I assume that simply replacing the obviously faulty part (bearing in mind this is a simple 2.1 computer audio) will sort my troubles? There's no 'cascade' effect from the broken part?
Many thanks to you all above who are helping. Here are some photos - I hope they're clear enough. Should be self-explanatory.
I note that once removed from the subwoofer enclosure and I can better see the board, there appears to be no visible damage (e.g. splits) to any component. Lots of that 'glue' around though! ?
@MAAC0 above: the close up of the connector block: this is where the cable connects from the supplied volume/bass level control knob, shown in other photo. To test whether it's the pot, can I simply disconnect this plug and reassemble?
I'm going to spray in some switch cleaner. Should I be thinking about re-soldering any of the joints - I have a photo of the underside of the board but it's not terribly helpful. Can re-shoot and attach one if anyone feels it might help.
I note that once removed from the subwoofer enclosure and I can better see the board, there appears to be no visible damage (e.g. splits) to any component. Lots of that 'glue' around though! ?
@MAAC0 above: the close up of the connector block: this is where the cable connects from the supplied volume/bass level control knob, shown in other photo. To test whether it's the pot, can I simply disconnect this plug and reassemble?
I'm going to spray in some switch cleaner. Should I be thinking about re-soldering any of the joints - I have a photo of the underside of the board but it's not terribly helpful. Can re-shoot and attach one if anyone feels it might help.
Attachments
Solved!!
While waiting for further help, and feeling it couldn't do any harm, I sprayed contact cleaner liberally around the place, disassembled that volume knob, flooded that with cleaner.
Reassembled the entire thing not expecting any difference, and voila!! Sound is perfect and MUCH much louder than before. NO idea why, channels are in balance. All good.
Thank you all for helping, as without those comments I wouldn't have thought of cleaning 🙂
While waiting for further help, and feeling it couldn't do any harm, I sprayed contact cleaner liberally around the place, disassembled that volume knob, flooded that with cleaner.
Reassembled the entire thing not expecting any difference, and voila!! Sound is perfect and MUCH much louder than before. NO idea why, channels are in balance. All good.
Thank you all for helping, as without those comments I wouldn't have thought of cleaning 🙂
Good that it is solved!
What kind of contact cleaner did you use? If I remember correctly, the potentiometers might need some other treatment after cleaning. I do not remember whether this was to relubricate them or to remove the sticky residue from the contact cleaner.
What kind of contact cleaner did you use? If I remember correctly, the potentiometers might need some other treatment after cleaning. I do not remember whether this was to relubricate them or to remove the sticky residue from the contact cleaner.
I actually used an aerosol cleaner that had been bought for car electrics. I know from that use that it dries quickly and without any residue. It was some generic brand cleaner, not any known brand. Works great though!
I see what you mean about other treatments. In fact I disassembled the included 'volume knob' for the speaker units, and which includes this secondary rotary slider that controls bass levels (i.e. the sub) and noted that it seemed fairly liberally smeared with something similar to vaseline. However, after cleaning - which consisted of liberally spraying inside and around - and leaving to dry, the action was just as smooth and simple. I haven't reapplied any other product.
And to answer @Brian Steele above (I forgot, apologies), the unit in question is the Logitech Z533. Very impressive for the price!
I see what you mean about other treatments. In fact I disassembled the included 'volume knob' for the speaker units, and which includes this secondary rotary slider that controls bass levels (i.e. the sub) and noted that it seemed fairly liberally smeared with something similar to vaseline. However, after cleaning - which consisted of liberally spraying inside and around - and leaving to dry, the action was just as smooth and simple. I haven't reapplied any other product.
And to answer @Brian Steele above (I forgot, apologies), the unit in question is the Logitech Z533. Very impressive for the price!
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