Pioneer Elite TV Speakers making a popping sound

[teqp]

I have a mid 2000s Pioneer Elite plasma TV. The TV has external speakers (mounted on the side of the TV) that are connected to the TV. (similar to the photo in the link: http/www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Plasma/PRO-1130HD). The speakers just recently started to make a popping/clicking sound. The popping occurs ever 2 seconds or so continuously. When I disconnect the speakers, the popping stops, of course. When the popping occurs, you can hear the voices from the TV, so it will a pop plus the voice on TV. When the 'pop' drops, the voices on the TV program cannot be heard as well.
The TV is only connected to my cable box via HDMI cable on the HDMI 1 input. I switched the HDMI cable and speaker wire and the popping sound remained. I even disconnected the TV speakers with another set of external speakers and the popping sound remained.

I tried to switch to the HDMI 3 input on the TV but the TV remains blank. Any other suggestions as to what could be wrong with the TV?

Thanks for the input.

 

[americanaudiophile]

If another set of speakers connected to the TV does the same thing then the audio amplifier or board in the TV is at fault. If you have powered speakers try connecting them to the audio out of the TV to see if they make the popping noise. This will tell you if the audio board or the amp is at fault.
You could repair the TV (or replace the board). These guys are very good;
http/www.shopjimmy.com/pioneer
You could use a speaker, sound bar or system that would connect to the audio out if that worked.