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[Closed] What's making my speakers hiss??

 DrP
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In my flat i've got a pair of Q Acoustic BT3s sat next to the telly...

I've had (well, still got but the 'wife' currently has 'em) 2 other pairs with no issue...

My pair hiss like buggery when on aux and BT input, but optical has no hiss (even if no optical signal going in).

It's really detracting from the pleasure of listening as my ears are sensitive to the hiss!
Is this likely to be something 'in the speaker', or is it likely to be odd power supply etc?

When i unplug all the inputs, it still hisses...

DrP


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 10:48 am
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earthing on the source somewhere is my guess.

My turntable used to do this unless I made a point of getting the earth cable really well grounded.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 10:51 am
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Is this likely to be something ‘in the speaker’,

Probably a snake.

Are the speakers sat on the floor?

Probably a carpet python.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 10:51 am
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It sounds like electrical interference, or snakes. What makes it tricky is it could be both.

Try a different power supply?


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 10:52 am
 DrP
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i MIGHT approach this 'snake' theory first, as it sounds the most logical..

Carpet python you say...

Will try a different power supply..

It's an old flat. so probably snakes in the power sockets??

DrP


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 10:55 am
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Are the speakers near the window?

Might be window vipers.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 10:56 am
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Whitesnake?


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 11:02 am
 Esme
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Tinnitus?


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 11:06 am
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Don't listen to Perchy, when it comes to music he's more of a Def Leppard 🙂


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 11:14 am
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Ground loop hum probably, is there anything in the room or nearby powered or connected via USB?


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 11:23 am
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Try unplugging the sources from the mains (remove the plug from the wall, not just switch off) and see if the hissing stops would be a first step.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 11:26 am
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odd power supply

Was with mine. multi/smart port USB adapter powering DAB radio/firestick/chromecast audio. Made a right racket!


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 11:34 am
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P'raps you need to invest in a [url= https://www.mackenziehifi.com/voodoo-reference-powercords-35-c.asp ]fancy new  power cable[/url]


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 11:40 am
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It can be great fun chasing ground loops.

As above, start with only the speakers plugged in and add things until you get the noise. Then play about with moving things to different plugs once you've found what is causing it.

Ultimately some things just don't place nice with each other - sometimes EM interference is happening inside something which is being passed to the speakers. Or the power supply to something just disagrees with the amp further down the chain.

A 'ground loop isolator' has also worked for me in the past when it was a power supply issue that couldn't be fixed by moving plugs.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 11:42 am
 DrP
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Try unplugging the sources from the mains (remove the plug from the wall, not just switch off) and see if the hissing stops would be a first step.

The sources going into the speaker are... Amazon Echo DOT (3.5mm cable) and Samsung TV (optical).
Unplugging the echo (i,.e removing the 3.5mm plug from the speaker) STILL leaves the hiss.

So, the hiss is from within the speaker (fits the snake theory..)..

I'll be honest, the mess of cables (power, CAT5, audio, snakes) behind the TV probably are causing interference... Will isolate the speaker on it's own AWAY from anything else, and work from there).

If it's the house wiring, there's not much i can do i guess?

D


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 12:01 pm
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Interference from external sources would almost certainly be 50Hz mains hum.

Hissing is usually down to thermal noise from components within the amplifier and can't be eradicated.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 12:04 pm
 DezB
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Just play this all the time and it'll be ok


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 12:11 pm
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I'd just unplug anything in the same room and plug it back in in sequence (starting with the amp!) and see when the noise starts.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 12:13 pm
 DrP
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And if I COMPLETELY unplug the speaker, and it still hisses.
That's definitely snakes, right?

DrP


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 12:41 pm
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That’s definitely snakes, right?

Not necessarily.

Could be giant Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches.

or a slow puncture.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 12:44 pm
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And if I COMPLETELY unplug the speaker, and it still hisses.
That’s definitely snakes, right?

Seems pretty plain.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 12:44 pm
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They probably hate you for playing **** music. You're not a Billy Joel fan, are you?


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 1:08 pm
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Interference from external sources would almost certainly be 50Hz mains hum.

This times a million.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 1:42 pm
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It can be great fun chasing ground loops.

Does it get louder when you turn up the volume? If no, it's a ground loop, if yes then it isn't.

And if I COMPLETELY unplug the speaker, and it still hisses.

TBH, I'd expect an analogue sound system with the source removed to hiss. Does it do it if the source is switched off but still connected?


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 3:40 pm
 Drac
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You’re not using hermetically sealed directional cables.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 3:42 pm
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We’re all avoiding the serpent in the room: tinnitus?


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 3:51 pm
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I concur with cougar - Turn the source level up and the amplifier down. An analogue system will hiss if you turn it up enough with no signal.

A Bluetooth device may just be "noisy" and there is nothing you can do.


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 5:27 pm
 DrP
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We’re all avoiding the serpent in the room: tinnitus?

Funny actually... with all the stress I've been going through, initially i had REALLY BAD (like, sending me mad) tinnitus...
I never knew stress could cause it...thankfully that has gone now..

When i turn the volume up, the hissing gets louder, yes..

DrP


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 5:34 pm
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When i turn the volume up, the hissing gets louder, yes..

Contrary to widely held belief, snakes aren't actually deaf.

Although they don't have external ears, they possess vestigial hearing organs  and are very sensitive to low frequency vibrations.

They do not like it if you turn it up to 11


 
Posted : 17/06/2019 5:39 pm