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[redstudio]

I wonder why so many PowerBook G4s don't have working internal speakers. I own 4 of them and I bought them with non-functioning internal speakers, audio only with headphones. Reading around, it seems like a very common problem. Why? Is it possible that after a while the internal speakers break? And yet they don't have to handle high volumes... Could it be a software problem? Firmware/hardware? Can the situation be fixed? Let me know if you know anything. Thanks!

[DrNo7]

Just a 2 cents guess: all Powerbooks are 20+ years old. The membrane of speakers becomes brittle with time and no membrane=no sound.
However, I wonder if these speakers are close enough to off-the-shelf references or if it is Apple unicorn parts that will mean surgery to adapt (or a pair of amplified computer speakers at a thrift store to be simpler and period correct 😝)

[robespierre]

The rubber surround of a dynamic speaker (the part that crumbles) doesn't produce the sound. Its function is to create an air seal around the cone to increase the efficiency and reduce rattling noises.

Like many electronics d'un certain age, the problem is electrolytic capacitors.