I bought a JBL Flip half a year ago, and the sound was fine. Recently I noticed that at maximum volume there's an unpleasant crackling sound, like the speaker is blown. What could this be - a defect or something with the settings?
Is the battery in the speaker holding a charge normally, or is it already starting to weaken?
Most likely this isn't a defect, but natural wear on the speaker or a battery issue! When the battery starts to weaken, voltage drops and the speaker can start to "crackle" specifically at maximum volume - that's a telltale sign. Try fully charging the speaker first and check the sound! If the crackling doesn't go away even with a full battery, then the speaker itself has probably worn out.
Also, sometimes crackling appears because of dirt inside or if moisture accidentally got into the speaker - the JBL Flip is water-resistant, but at maximum volume the vibration can "shake loose" accumulated dust and it'll scrape against the speaker. Try shaking the speaker next to your ear - do you hear any strange noises from inside? If it sounds like something's rattling around in there, you'll need to deal with it through warranty or take it to a service center. But most of the time it's the battery that's to blame!
Cleaning the charging port and contacts is where you should start. Sometimes crackling happens if dust gets in there or the gold contacts oxidize, and the speaker gets unstable voltage even with a full battery. Try wiping the port with a dry cloth or a cotton swab with some alcohol, then plug the cable in and out a few times. If that doesn't help, then take a look at the speaker itself - something inside might have come loose from the vibrations.
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