trindtrc Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Hello all, a couple of weeks ago I purchased an L2T to use as a monitor and for small acoustic gigs. In general the audio quality is excellent, but there is one major problem that may drive me to abandon the whole line - I have a significant "crackle" that occurs on lower frequencies. I play standard 6 string acoustic and 7 string electric, with a wide range of tones, and I get this crackle consistently when play anything at or lower than A notes/chords. This occurs in either clean acoustic sounds, clean electric, or dirty electric. It occurs when I send the signal through the main input channel from my POD X3 Pro, or when I go in through the channel 1 acoustic channel. I've tried two guitars and a variety of cable options. It looks like similar issues have been reported in the past, so I'm hoping someone has a solution. I'd very much like to keep this speaker, but if this is a design flaw, I'll have to go to another brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oehman Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Is it a crackle or more like a rattle? There is a known issue with the fan rattling on certain low frequencies. My L2M made a noise like a vibroslap when I strummed an E chord on Variax acoustic models. I brought it in to an authorized service center and L6 is shipping a redesigned fan. It is minor annoyance because the rattle is not noticeable most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trindtrc Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 Nope, it's definitely not mechanical. It sounds like a loose/bad cable. If I hadn't tried several, I'd still think that's what the problem is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Nope, it's definitely not mechanical. It sounds like a loose/bad cable. If I hadn't tried several, I'd still think that's what the problem is. It seems odd that the kind of electronic crackle you're describing would only occur with certain frequencies. Symptoms associated with only certain frequencies (especially on the low end) are almost always caused by something vibrating that shouldn't be...I've had the aforementioned fan-rattle with my L2T, and a similar issue with a rattling brace inside a Marshall 4x12 years ago. I'd be very suspicious of the fan...even if it seems like something else. Aim it away from you and listen behind the fan vents as you play some of the offending notes...if it is the fan, it should become more obvious when you're right on top of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trindtrc Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 Hello all, here is a recording of the crackle. This is a low B5 - it definitely occurs more prominently on the lower notes/chords. This noise comes from the speaker side of the cabinet, not the rear where I presume the fan is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trindtrc Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 Oops! Failed to hit the attach button. L2T Crackle.wav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Oops! Failed to hit the attach button. OK, that's weird. Sounds nothing like the fan rattle I had, so I stand corrected. Wish I had something to suggest, but I'm fresh out of ideas. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewolf48 Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Is it the badge vibrating? (the badge can be turned around) Another possibility might be that you have something loose inside the speaker grill that is being shaken. I am presuming that it happens in several different rooms and isn't just something in one room vibrating in sympathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trindtrc Posted September 14, 2015 Author Share Posted September 14, 2015 I don't think it's the badge. The sound is much more electronic in nature than comes across in the recording. It's sounds very much like crackling static. I'm going to take the grill off and see if there's anything in there. I've also read some posts about internal cables rattling against the speaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trindtrc Posted September 14, 2015 Author Share Posted September 14, 2015 OK, more to report. Strong evidence it's a mechanical issue. I previously had the speaker mounted vertically on a pole. I moved it to the floor in horizontal mode and was unable to reproduce the problem. I'm going to play with it some more after work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 OK, more to report. Strong evidence it's a mechanical issue. I previously had the speaker mounted vertically on a pole. I moved it to the floor in horizontal mode and was unable to reproduce the problem. I'm going to play with it some more after work. Something on the pole rattling, perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oehman Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Here's a short video of the L2 rattle that I've had. I strummed an E chord on a Variax acoustic setting since that is when it is the most audible. I was filming, strumming, and moving the L2 to get at the back better, so some of the buzz is me mis-fretting the chord....but as I get to the fan better, you can hear the rattle snake jump out! The local service center has a fan on order from Line 6. Hoping that takes care of it! Rattle L2.MOV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Here's a short video of the L2 rattle that I've had. I strummed an E chord on a Variax acoustic setting since that is when it is the most audible. I was filming, strumming, and moving the L2 to get at the back better, so some of the buzz is me mis-fretting the chord....but as I get to the fan better, you can hear the rattle snake jump out! The local service center has a fan on order from Line 6. Hoping that takes care of it! Yeah...it's a nasty sound. There are obviously a lot of units out there with the original fan assembly. Mine had to be replaced twice. 1st attempt at my local "authorized service center" didn't work. 2nd time it made a cross-country trip back to the mothership, and that repair seems to be holding so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArneLine6 Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 Please contact our customer service so we can resolve this problem: http://line6.com/support/tickets/ Main Phone#: (818) 575-3600 Main Fax#: (818) 575-3601 Customer Service: 8am – 12pm & 1pm – 4pm M-F Pacific Time Press option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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