The same thing happened to me with my center channel speaker. I bought the 5.1 reference theater pack from Costco and the center channel speaker keeps cutting out audio in and out, sounds like a crackling sound. I tried using 16 gauge speaker wire but nothing happened, it still keeps doing the same crackling sound. The rest of the speakers sound excellent with no issues. I think the issue is those cheap spring driven connections on the back of the speaker. Its probably not making proper contact with the wire which causes the crackling sound.
