Audio Fix / setup help

NAD C 389 / NAD C 399: restore a deliberately disabled speaker output

restore a deliberately disabled speaker output. The owner confirms a correct, already installed speaker pair on C 389 or C 399, Speaker is Off, and the volume is low. No protection fault, wiring uncertainty or headphone-only intention.

Manufacturer-documented Reviewed 2026-11-10 · Revision 1

Follow these checks in Audio Fix →

When this guide applies

The owner confirms a correct, already installed speaker pair on C 389 or C 399, Speaker is Off, and the volume is low. No protection fault, wiring uncertainty or headphone-only intention.

Connection scope: Device controls / power only. Symptom: Sound goes to the wrong output.

This is a documented check, not a diagnosis of your equipment. The model name does not confirm the selected input, mode, software or connected partner.

If your exact model or a required setting is unknown, use the “I don’t know” branch below. Do not apply a similarly named model’s instructions.

Checks and possible outcomes

Start at scope. Follow the link that matches what you actually observe. Alternative branches are not a single sequence of actions.

scope

Confirm the exact setup

The owner confirms a correct, already installed speaker pair on C 389 or C 399, Speaker is Off, and the volume is low. No protection fault, wiring uncertainty or headphone-only intention.

Look for: Confirm the stated setup or visible result. Stop if it is unknown.

  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 — manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.8,10,17, Speaker setting — Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting. With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair. Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.Exact models: NAD C 389. Follow only the cited role and variant; successor models are excluded. · Source checked 2026-11-10
  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 399 — manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.8,10,17, Speaker setting — Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting. With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair. Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.Exact models: NAD C 399. Follow only the cited role and variant; successor models are excluded. · Source checked 2026-11-10

a1

Confirm Speaker Off

Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting.

Look for: Speaker is explicitly Off.

  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 — manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.8,10,17, Speaker setting — Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting. With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair. Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.Exact models: NAD C 389. Follow only the cited role and variant; successor models are excluded. · Source checked 2026-11-10
  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 399 — manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.8,10,17, Speaker setting — Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting. With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair. Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.Exact models: NAD C 399. Follow only the cited role and variant; successor models are excluded. · Source checked 2026-11-10

a2

Enable the known speaker output

With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair.

Look for: Speaker is On for the existing verified load.

  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 — manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.8,10,17, Speaker setting — Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting. With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair. Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.Exact models: NAD C 389. Follow only the cited role and variant; successor models are excluded. · Source checked 2026-11-10
  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 399 — manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.8,10,17, Speaker setting — Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting. With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair. Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.Exact models: NAD C 399. Follow only the cited role and variant; successor models are excluded. · Source checked 2026-11-10

a3

Replay quietly

Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.

Look for: Observe sound from the intended existing pair.

  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 — manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.8,10,17, Speaker setting — Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting. With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair. Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.Exact models: NAD C 389. Follow only the cited role and variant; successor models are excluded. · Source checked 2026-11-10
  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 399 — manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.8,10,17, Speaker setting — Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting. With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair. Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.Exact models: NAD C 399. Follow only the cited role and variant; successor models are excluded. · Source checked 2026-11-10

result

Check the actual result

Does the existing speaker pair play after the confirmed Off setting is changed to On?

Look for: Confirm the stated setup or visible result. Stop if it is unknown.

  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 389 — manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.8,10,17, Speaker setting — Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting. With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair. Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.Exact models: NAD C 389. Follow only the cited role and variant; successor models are excluded. · Source checked 2026-11-10
  • Manufacturer-documented NAD C 399 — manufacturer instructions ↗Owner manuals pp.8,10,17, Speaker setting — Read Settings > Speaker. Do not reconnect speaker wires while powered or guess a layout from this setting. With the owner’s agreement set Speaker to On. On C 399 both terminal sets operate in parallel and switch together; SPKA/SPKB do not independently select a pair. Use a familiar source at the previously checked low volume. If still silent, keep that result for support rather than increasing gain or modifying connections.Exact models: NAD C 399. Follow only the cited role and variant; successor models are excluded. · Source checked 2026-11-10

Possible result

Checks completed — report the actual outcome

The stated observation was confirmed in this setup. Completion is not an automatic Solved report, a hardware diagnosis or a physical Audio Review test.

steps completed

Reaching this result does not mean the issue is solved. Only your own feedback can report improvement.

    Possible result

    Keep the observation for support

    Record the exact model, source, connection and last visible result. Do not reset equipment, open its chassis, bypass protective limits or install firmware to compensate for an unconfirmed result.

    next support

    Reaching this result does not mean the issue is solved. Only your own feedback can report improvement.

      Possible result

      Confirm the unknown detail first

      An unknown indication is not a diagnosis. Check the exact instructions or ask the manufacturer before continuing.

      insufficient data

      Reaching this result does not mean the issue is solved. Only your own feedback can report improvement.

        All Audio Fix guides → · TV & Audio Finder →

        Scroll to Top