Speaker Rattling o0n XPS15- L501x

So I was listening to 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' by Green Day the other day on the XPS 15 at full volume and the speakers started crackling/rattling. Is this normal? Can anyone test this song on full volume on their XPS 15 and let me know how it goes for them? Do you hear rattling in between the song at full volume?

I am just dreading that I might have to return it to Dell for fixing it if it isn't normal.

On the other hand, I don't hear the muffled sound on the subwoofer that other people were talking about.

Thanx!

 

Also, I did the diagnostics test on the speakers by pressing F12 while booting to get into diagnostics mode.

The subwoofer test made my subwoofer produce such a loud rattling/distorted/crackling sound.

Can anyone help?

 

I don't think you have to send it back to Dell. You can get one of them technicians over to fix it..

Might not be the best advise, but you can open up the subwoofer compartment underside the notebook, to see if there's anything out of place, like a disconnected cable or loose parts...

 

Do you have a XPS 15 and did you test it by any chance?

 

Sorry, I don't have one and thus, it might not be the best advise...

But unscrewing the plate and checking the subwoofer should not harm the notebook in any way or void the warranty.

But, not owning the XPS myself has probably lowered my credibility a lot so you should wait to hear what the owners say

 

Oh yes, could it be that the speakers' part are loose somehow? And that's why the loud music kinda unsettles it?

 

No problem. I appreciate your advise. The problem is that its not an easy thing to remove the subwoofer and I am worried if its a genuine problem or just me! So it would be nice if someone with the same laptop gave their views thats all.

 

I have tested it for you. But some questions first: What bit rating was your version of the song on? And did it happen with any other songs you have played?

Mine was on 192 kbps (which is recommended for playing any song, in my opinion, 128 is too low), and I didn't hear distortion/crackling, just that the sound isn't as beautiful as normally, but apart from that nothing bad.

 

Sounds like you blew your subwoofer.

 

Thanks for the tip man! I played a high bitrate song for sure. Also like I said before, I did a pre-boot diagnostics test on the subwoofer and the rattling was very obvious. Can you do the diagnostics too and let me know if it isn't too much trouble? Just hold F12 while booting and enter diagnostics. Once you finish the basic tests and boot into the main interface, just test the subwoofer alone and let me know.

I talked to Dell today and they are sending over a technician with the replacement parts. I just hope he doesn't screw up the laptop while opening it.

 

Ok! So I got the entire speaker assembly replaced today. It was pretty obvious to the tech that the subwoofer blew up. The whole laptop rattled when he played even the slightest of bass heavy songs.

He replaced the speakers and even offered to replace the motherboard if I wanted.
However, I follow the golden rule : Dont fix it if it ain't broke! So I declined.

Besides, I am pretty sure it would have been a used/refurb motherboard anyways.

After fixing it, everything sounds much better. Luckily for me, this guy knew the laptop inside out and serviced it in 15 mins!

So watch out guys! Don't tempt fate by stressing the subwoofer, it can easily blow.

 

And I found out what blew my subwoofer. VLC player. Don't increase volume to 200%. Stick to 100%. Trust me. I learnt it the hard way.