Macbook internal speakers issue

[MacMishap]

I've got a MacBook Pro (13 inc, mid 2010) and as of yesterday the sound through the internal speakers is suddenly very faint (as if it's only coming through one channel?). When I use headphones, it sounds absolutely fine. I've checked via System Preferences and the internal speakers seem to be on and working. Fixable?

 

[MacMishap]

Update: I tried various things (rebooting, resetting PRAM, resetting SMC). Nothing worked.

Then yesterday I was on Twitter and I clicked on the volume control on a video clip - and the sound through my internal speakers came back as they should be. Only now there's a distortion, particularly the louder the volume is (and is most prominent when hearing the start up chime when the mac reboots).

Based on this, any other advice?

 

[MacMishap]

Thank you. Trying that now and it's made no difference.

Any other advice?

 

[MacMishap]

I would assume that after 10 years one of the speakers has popped. Is sound only coming out of one channel? If so, that vey much points to a buggered speaker. A 2010 MBP is a bit like a classic car at this point though. You can actually still work on them pretty easily so have a look at sourcing a new speaker and it will probably be an easy install.

Thank you. Sound is coming out of both channels but distorted / crackly the louder it is.

I've tried everything from a software POV and, sadly, I think it is an issue with one of the speakers.

 

[MacMishap]

I’m confused. If it was coming out of both sides but crackling and distorted it probably isn’t a single broken speaker. I assume both speakers sound the same when you change the balance in the sound prefs.

Yes - might indeed be problems with both speakers. They sound pretty much the same when I change the balance - a 'rumble' / popping distort, most noticeable the louder the volume is.

But would both have popped at the same time? That's why I'm still hoping it's a software problem and something I just haven't tried.