What causes speakers to rattle? I have an old GK Backline 210 that rattles loudly when the bass is cranked up. It sounds like paper is rattling in the speaker. I am noticing that this is happening to a much lesser degree in my mb115 as well. What is causing this?
I've tried my amps in different rooms and it still comes back. I have the eq flat (everything at noon). The rattle is more noticeable at high volume. I checked the impedence on the BL 210 and both speakers are still at 16 Ohms where they should be.
I was thinking of buying a GK MB212, but I've just been reading too many negative reviews about speaker rattles, buzzing, popping, etc. As soon as I do a bit more research, I'll most likely be investing in a used MIA rig, probably Ampeg or Fender.
When you play louder or bassier than a speaker can handle the cone can distort its shape (like a warp in the moment) causing the voice coil to vibrate against the magnet. (there's only a very small gap between the voice coil and magnet)
Also if you play too loud or bassy to the extreme you can split the paper cone of the speaker and that would cause an awful rattle. Even Aluminum cones can crack and break.
Another possibility is a worn out or torn or cracked web around the outer edge of the speaker cone.
Further, if the speaker has been dropped and the frame distorted or dented, it could create a misalignment of the voice coil to the magnet.
Here's another one. Speakers that have overheated due to extreme play can melt the insulation on the copper wire wrapped voice coil and all it takes is one strand of the wire loosening enough to rub the magnet to create weird sounds from your speakers. Long very loud distortion leads can heat up a voice coil pretty quick. So can long sustained bass notes at high volume.
There's also the possibility that it's rattle somewhere in the cabinet and not the speakers at all.
Hope this lends some insight into your problem - Good Luck -
