Only one speaker working with Airport Express

I just posted in another thread about this issue, but I'm having the same problem as well, and it has to be with the Airport Express (I've eliminated every other possible source.)

My Monster iCable works correctly when I connect it directly to my computer instead of the Airport Express. Interestingly enough, if the left speaker isn't working, I can get it to work if I swap the RCA connectors & plug the red cable into the white port on the back of my stereo, for example - but then, of course, I lose the right speaker.

Same problem here also. Returned my AEx and got a new one, but same problem. Cable ok (checked). AEx works great on both channels when using optical output, but not with analog 3,5 mm. Have tried 3-pole as well as 4-pole-cable, no difference: no signal on right channel.

I just got my Airport Express and was all excited when I heard the music playing downstairs. Then I noticed what everyone else is saying...my right speaker is not playing any music. The connection is fine, the wires are fine (b/c I've used them with other devices and all worked). I can't use optical b/c I've got my DVD player running through the optical port.

If anyone gets an answer I'd love to hear about it. I sure hope it's not a hardware issue. I'm going to call Apple tomorrow morning.

I don't know much, but I would bet that your Express has a bad channel in its d/a converter; if you already did a reset of your Express, this is probably hardware, not software; hope its still under warranty.

I'll add mine to the pile. It worked perfectly for about two months and then suddenly the right channel dropped out; I can hear a faint hum coming through the system even when there's no audio being sent to it.

I did add a USB printer to the AirPort Express just before this happened, but since nobody else has mentioned that it's probably a coincidence.

Hi everybody,

guess what, same for me.
I don't remember if this problem appened after I add my USB printer, but both speakers worked well before... but not anymore. I checked cables, drivers and so on, but nothing changed.
The only difference with all of you is that I've something comin' out from my left speaker, but only if I turn the sound very (but very!) high. is that hapened to any of you?
anyway, it deosn't work well and I wish Apple could help us (maybe the company should give a optical cable with every AirPort Express 😉...

Ok, I'll throw out two possible solutions.
1.)go into your airport admin utility, and change the channel you are on. it may not fix it on the first try, so try a few channels, and if that doesn't work, then go back to your original channel. that works, sometimes.
2.)let me preface this with the fact that when i've done a search for winamp in the airport discussions, nothing is returned, which makes me think apple doesn't like people to know what i'm going to say. I prefer winamp, for many reasons. i recommend downloading winamp, then going here "http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details/156266" to download a little add-on program that allows winamp to work with your remote speakers. this solves my one speaker problem, so hopefully it will for you. YAY WINAMP!!!

Same problem here, only one speaker works, I have to run my stereo in mono to get both speakers to work, but i lose a channel.

Anyways: noticed that my OPTICAL OUTPUT IS TURNED ON. is that bad? I'm trying to use mini-plug to RCA (analog) but the red light is creeping out of the mini plug hole. Wonder if that's messing things up?

I have the same problem; here's my theory.

When you notice this is happening, unplug the cable from the airport mini-jack and I think you will see that there is a red light shining. I am pretty sure that this light is only supposed to be on for optical, and when off for stereo. This describes why, as someone noted, it works fine with an optical connection but not with a straight up stereo cable. So, it would seem that the solution lies in getting the AirPort to recognise that a stereo cable, not an optical cable is being used. I have been looking for setting in iTunes and on the AirPort Admin Utility, but have had no such luck as yet.

Cheers,
Tim

http://www.brendanloy.com/wp/2007/06/my-airport-express-and-the-red-light-of-doo m.html

I have a feeling the only fix for this problem is to get a new AirPort...I'd love to hear a solution if anyone gets one though.

Hi Guys

Guess what - same problem but I have just been told that this could be the fix....... I have Airport Express and a Netgear modem, NO Airport Basestation. Apparently I need a Basetation to before my airport express will work properly. I am going to buy a Basestation tomorrow and will try it out.

If you have already done this please let me know, it might save me a few pennies.

Thanks

Hi, thanks for the tip on the Airport Basestation. One of those is on the "to-get" list for me, and it'll be interesting to see if that resolves the problem (using a netgear router right now.)

Nevertheless, FWIW, after struggling with this for a LONG time, I am thinking that the problem is the "jack" -whatever you call the hole that the headphones or cable jack plugs into.

I have two airport expresses, both exhibit the same problem in every room. When simply turning around/playing/jiggling the jack, I can get the second speaker to work. Could it be simply a faulty/badly made connection?

Hi guys, I just wanted to say that I bought a new Airport express base station last week and it worked. Both speakers are working perfectly. Maybe the older ones just have faulty connections.

Who knows. I am just glad it works. It was driving me nuts.

Carl

Just wondering if anyone's resolved the left-channel audio issue through AirPort Express.

I have three brand new (January 2008) AirPort Expresses running in the house. One picks up stereo sound perfectly, one only picks up the left channel, and one only picks up the left channel but routes it to both speakers.

The two that aren't functioning properly do have the "red glow" emitting from the audio jack. I haven't checked the one that's working properly for fear that I'll lose the stereo sound!

I've reset the Expresses, checked the cables, tested them with audio through iTunes, Airfoil, etc. to no avail.

I'd rather not shell out even more $ for an AirPort BaseStation, since my wireless router works perfectly well otherwise.

Any suggestions?

i have the same problem.... i called the dudes at tech support and this was the first time he heard of this problem. the idiot told me to take it in to an apple store and get it tested, and then they could possibly replace it. whatever.