CS175i making crackling noise -- blown?

kuntasensei

My system is R10 mains and surrounds, CS175i center and PSW350 subwoofer hooked to an Onkyo TX-DS595 receiver with the Panasonic DVD-RV31K, all speakers set to small and calibrated with Avia and an SPL meter. Tonight we were watching Titan A.E. in DTS at a decent volume (-8 from reference), and I kept noticing a noise from my CS175i. Whenever there was bass originating from the center channel, it made this loud crackling sound. So I turned off my subwoofer and checked... and sure enough, while all the other speakers are handling this level of sound with no problems, the center makes this god-awful static-like crackling noise. I ran through a few other discs, and the crackling is consistent (so it's not just Titan A.E.).

Now, I've noticed it in the past (even slightly when I first bought the thing -- I assumed at the time that my old receiver was to blame), but it was never as loud as it was tonight. I know it isn't the receiver or DVD player, because it did this with my JVC receiver/GE DVD player as well. I tried replacing the wire (Monster Cable 12ga in-wall wiring, used outside of the wall because the insulation is WHITE), but the problem was still there. I also tried turning the center channel off to see if this made the mains crackle from the same level of bass, but they handled it fine. I turned off the surrounds and hooked one of the R10s to the center channel to see if it crackled, and it didn't.

So is what I'm hearing a blown speaker, or am I just expecting too much from the CS175i? My HT is 10'L x 14'W x 8'H, and I'm pretty happy with the sound I'm getting for this room, but the crackling has become really bothersome. The R10s use roughly the same tweeter/driver setup as the CS175i, so I don't understand why they would be able to handle it and the CS wouldn't. Anyone got any advice or things I should check?

[Deleted User]

Hello,
Thanks for contributing to the Club Polk Forum, I'm sorry you're having a problem with the CS175i center channel speaker. It would appear that one of the components, probably the tweeter might have to be replaced. I'd be happy to help determine the necessary component and send it to you. Replacement is pretty simple, most of the time our customers can replace parts themselves. Please telephone me at 800-377-7655 or email me at kswauger@polkaudio.com and I'm sure I can help.
Best regards, Ken Swauger