A droplet can disrupt movement
Water at the grille or diaphragm can make the speaker sound raspy or quiet. The symptom may improve as moisture moves and evaporates.
Check more than one source
At moderate volume, compare spoken audio, a call and the nBeats speaker test. Distortion in only one app can be a software or recording issue.
Avoid repeated high-volume stress
Do not loop tones for hours or push a distorted speaker at maximum volume. If water near the grille is likely and the phone is stable, try one moderate rescue cycle, allow drying and compare again later.
Damage needs a technician
If crackling remains after drying, or the phone becomes hot, unreliable or silent, the speaker assembly or another internal component may be damaged.
If crackling remains after drying, or the phone becomes hot, unreliable or silent, the speaker assembly or another internal component may be damaged.