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Yes. Move the speakers away first, then run the CRT monitor’s built-in degauss function according to its manual. If the speakers must remain close, use models whose manufacturer explicitly specifies magnetic shielding and follow the placement distances for that exact equipment. There is no universal “safe” distance for every speaker and CRT.
Why speakers can distort a CRT picture
Loudspeakers contain magnets that can create a magnetic field near the monitor. IBM says a nearby magnetic-field source such as a loudspeaker, or changing the monitor’s orientation, can make CRT color lose uniformity. The result may appear as colored patches, tinting or uneven purity rather than a problem with the video signal. See IBM’s CRT troubleshooting guidance.
Use this troubleshooting sequence
- Move the speakers away. Disconnect or reposition the suspect speaker so it is no longer beside or directly behind the CRT. Check whether the discoloration improves; removing the continuing magnetic source is the most important step.
- Degauss the monitor. Use the CRT’s on-screen degauss control or the procedure in its manual after moving the speaker. IBM explains that degaussing demagnetizes the CRT’s metal frame so it can return to a neutral field for more uniform color.
- Wait before trying again. Do not repeatedly activate degauss. IBM advises waiting at least 20 minutes before a second degauss cycle.
- Recheck placement. If the color problem returns when the speaker is moved closer, the location is still too close for that combination of equipment.
- Follow the monitor’s service guidance if it persists. If discoloration remains after the magnetic source is removed and the manufacturer’s degauss procedure is followed, the cited guidance does not establish a single diagnosis or repair. Consult the monitor manual or a qualified CRT technician rather than opening the display.
When magnetic shielding helps
Magnetically shielded speakers use construction intended to limit the field reaching nearby CRT hardware. Shielding can make close placement possible, but it is not a universal guarantee: effectiveness, permitted distance and the monitor’s sensitivity vary by model.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallLook for the exact phrase “magnetically shielded” in the speaker manufacturer’s specifications or manual. Do not infer shielding from a product category, appearance or a seller’s generic description. The Onkyo CS-265W manual, for example, says its speakers have internal magnetic shielding. It also says that if discoloration remains, the display should be turned off for 15 to 30 minutes, then turned on again, with the speakers moved farther away if necessary. That procedure applies to that Onkyo system, not to every shielded speaker.
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Published placement distances are equipment-specific
Manufacturer recommendations differ substantially, so treat the figures below as examples for the named products rather than general standards.
| Equipment | Shielding status | Published guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Bose 601 Series IV | Not magnetically shielded | Place at least 18 to 24 inches from a monitor. Bose notes that the issue applies to CRT-style televisions. This model was sold from 2001 to 2004. |
| NEC XM37 CRT | Requires shielding for speakers placed next to the monitor | Keep unshielded speakers at least four feet away; speakers next to the monitor must be shielded. |
| Onkyo CS-265W | Manual says the speakers have internal magnetic shielding | If discoloration occurs, turn the display off for 15–30 minutes, turn it back on, and move the speakers farther away if needed. |
| Sarte Audio Concertino A5 | Manual discusses magnetic-field interference | Increase the distance between the speakers and CRT if interference occurs; no universal distance is given in the cited passage. |
How to choose a close-placement setup
Verify both manuals
Check the speaker documentation for an explicit shielding specification and the CRT manual for its degauss and placement instructions. A shielded speaker may still need separation from a particularly sensitive or large CRT.
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Test before committing to the layout
With the monitor displaying a uniform white or gray image, place the speakers at the intended locations and look for color patches. If artifacts appear, move the speakers farther away and degauss once using the monitor’s prescribed procedure.
Do not rely on add-on “shields” without documentation
The cited manuals support changing speaker placement, using built-in shielding and degaussing the CRT. They do not establish that a random metal plate, foil wrap or aftermarket barrier will safely block the field or preserve audio performance. Such modifications can also affect speaker operation.
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What the symptoms tell you
- Color improves immediately after moving a speaker: the speaker’s magnetic field was affecting CRT color uniformity; keep it farther away or replace it with a documented shielded model.
- Color remains uneven after moving the speaker: run the monitor’s degauss procedure and observe the manufacturer’s waiting interval before any second cycle.
- Color returns only when the speaker is close: the chosen distance is unsuitable for that speaker-and-monitor pair, even if the speaker is advertised as shielded.
- Discoloration persists in all positions: use the monitor’s service documentation for further diagnosis; the supplied manufacturer guidance does not identify one definitive fault.
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