Bought new speakers but chirping noise is back.

[caroline!]

I managed to grab an Edifier S350DB set, brand new, I've had them tested at the store and the sound was good though the ambient was noisy.
The subwoofer is bigger than I thought and the bass loud which is nice, and the speakers sound way better than my old $2 USB portable ones.

What's not nice is that both speakers and sub emit a constant chirping sound that becomes louder with volume, it's still there when I play music so not coming from the computer. I've had this issue before with the older speakers but seemingly "fixed itself" when I rewired my whole room and grounded my computer (my own twist of Japan grounding system), but seems it didn't as it's still there. Checked all of the cables, tried different cables betwixt

Spoiler

I'll keep saying that

sub and PC, and also different power cables in case the one provided was damaged somehow. That wasn't it.

Any audiophile tips and tricks? mind this is a $400 set and not some Logitechs.

Oh and I've checked the plug is inserted the right way (live pin = left) into the socket and sub but even flipping it over changes nothing. Removing the computer's ground wire transforms the chirping into a more audible crackling.

SOS.

 

[1freedude]

You have cell phone nearby? I've noticed interference from them. Or other RF ingress...

 

[Batou1986]

I've had this issue before

You need a line conditioner or an electrician then something on your electrical circut is introducing EMI

 

[droopyRO]

Do you have a USB sound card or DAC to test with ?

or an electrician

Or an Exorcist

 

[bobbybluz]

What are you using for your audio source? What's the first device in the signal chain?

 

[caroline!]

You have cell phone nearby? I've noticed interference from them. Or other RF ingress...

Nothing. Speakers do come with bluetooth (in?) but I haven't turned it on as far as I know.

What are you using for your audio source? What's the first device in the signal chain?

Green jack on the motherboard with a cable that goes directly to the input. I've used the provided cable and also a much lower quality one and both behave in the same way.

Do you have a USB sound card or DAC to test with ?

Or an Exorcist

Nope. And no exorcists either.

 

[bobbybluz]

I suspect the onboard audio is the culprit. Get a decent audio card and the noise problem will vanish.

 

[Ferather]

If you have a mobile phone that has not yet done away with the 3.5mm jack, try that or anything else with a 3.5mm jack.
Else try the Bluetooth and connect to PC via Bluetooth, or even SPDIF at least for testing.

If the sound is fine with another device, it's the onboard audio.

 

[claes]

I’m gonna say electricity

Also I think OP has tried a second source?

it's still there when I play music so not coming from the computer

 

[Ferather]

I missed that sorry. Edit: I remember when a faulty light circuit can reduce broadband. Oh the banes of analogue, and conductive circuit.

"Check for electrical interference
Electrical equipment can cause interference. Electrical equipment can cause real problems for your connection, anything with a motor or pump can particularly be an issue. Try turning off electrical devices to see if they are interfering. If possible keep your router/modem away from other electrical equipment. BT have shown that faulty fluorescent lighting and even christmas tree lights can drastically reduce broadband speeds in some cases. Experiment with turning off devices."

Source -- Side note: My mobile phone uses the headphone cable to receive FM transmission.

 

[Mister300]

There are a infinite sources of noise from analog to digital. Look at this.

Interfering Emissions - Signal Identification Wiki

Interference and other noise. For jammers, see Jammer

www.sigidwiki.com

Most of these have sound files to listen to. Here is my SDR in action on Youtube

Common fixes
1. Poor grounding
2. Place iron chokes on cables , very inexpensive fix.
3. Unplug all wall warts i.e. phone chargers etc.
4. Kill main breaker to your residence and plug PC into Battery BU and add peripherals until noise appears.

 

[caroline!]

Hi I'm back from work already, tried a few things.

If you have a mobile phone that has not yet done away with the 3.5mm jack, try that or anything else with a 3.5mm jack.
Else try the Bluetooth and connect to PC via Bluetooth, or even SPDIF at least for testing.

If the sound is fine with another device, it's the onboard audio.

Tried with a portable radio but can't tell because of the normal radio interference, and also looked for an ancient Walkman adapter cable for my phone that lets me plug it into these speakers.
I've never used that cable before but it was there when I needed it, see guys don't throw away your box of old cables!!

Even when there's no input at all there's a very subtle noise on the speakers, but this one is different... if you've ever heard a stuck spindle on a hard drive, that's how it sounds.

Don't have a bluetooth emitter for my PC yet and the audio output is only analogue.

I missed that sorry. Edit: I remember when a faulty light circuit can reduce broadband. Oh the banes of analogue, and conductive circuit.

"Check for electrical interference
Electrical equipment can cause interference. Electrical equipment can cause real problems for your connection, anything with a motor or pump can particularly be an issue. Try turning off electrical devices to see if they are interfering. If possible keep your router/modem away from other electrical equipment. BT have shown that faulty fluorescent lighting and even christmas tree lights can drastically reduce broadband speeds in some cases. Experiment with turning off devices."

Source -- Side note: My mobile phone uses the headphone cable to receive FM transmission.

CRTs also induce a lot of interference but it's not my case as even with the monitor unplugged the noise can be heard.

 

[LabRat 891]

I don't use the software, pretty much ever, but since it's audible, you should be able to capture a recording somehow, and load it into Audacity. The idea here is to find out the frequency of the interference; it would help point out the cause.

Ex. IIRC Many Switch Mode Power Supply Units and other devices produce noise around 40khz and near fractions and multiples thereof.

Edit: you mentioned trying a portable radio, but I didn't see mentioned if you tried AM or FM. AM often picks up electrical noise, especially the lower frequencies.

 

[claes]

Try Bluetooth from your phone?

 

[caroline!]

I don't use the software, pretty much ever, but since it's audible, you should be able to capture a recording somehow, and load it into Audacity. The idea here is to find out the frequency of the interference; it would help point out the cause.

Ex. IIRC Many Switch Mode Power Supply Units and other devices produce noise around 40khz and near fractions and multiples thereof.

Edit: you mentioned trying a portable radio, but I didn't see mentioned if you tried AM or FM. AM often picks up electrical noise, especially the lower frequencies.

Tried AM and FM on the radio, also SW but it simply hums as there's nothing to hear.

Try Bluetooth from your phone?

Counts as no input imo.

I believe I've found a workaround tho, if I use the front audio jack and an extension cable that goes to the back, there's no noise. But this is still coming from the onboard controller...

 

[lexluthermiester]

I suspect the onboard audio is the culprit. Get a decent audio card and the noise problem will vanish.

This. It's one of the reasons having a discrete sound card/device is important. Onboard sound devices have improved greatly over the years, but are still far from perfect. Properly engineered sound cards are the best solution with USB DACs coming in a close second. They're an added expense, but worth the extra cost.

 

[nomdeplume]

Even when there's no input at all there's a very subtle noise on the speakers, but this one is different... if you've ever heard a stuck spindle on a hard drive, that's how it sounds.

Your issue is across multiple frequency bands and also issues with outlet used. You can test this by plugging the speakers into an outlet on a different fuse breaker with no source. If the noise goes away a ferrite choke bead might help with the amount of crud your computer is injecting as well.

Look if the cord already has one installed before buying a bead and size correctly for the cord if you do purchase one. Correctly can mean looping the cord through one ferrite two or three times at cost of cord length. Or just clamping it on per below.

 

[caroline!]

This. It's one of the reasons having a discrete sound card/device is important. Onboard sound devices have improved greatly over the years, but are still far from perfect. Properly engineered sound cards are the best solution with USB DACs coming in a close second. They're an added expense, but worth the extra cost.

Well I kinda knew an expensive set of speakers wouldn't work with puny onboard audio so what are any decent sound cards but at an affordable price? For around $100 so no audiophile tier. I'd like to avoid USB anything, I don't like sound over USB, feel the analogue ports are still good enough.

And why is the noise gone when I use the front jack? isn't that sound coming from the onboard as well? cranked up the volume to 100% and nothing can be heard.

I might have an audio bracket from a bygone era that would do the same as this front jack, that's connecting to the pins on the mobo using a set of wires. Those are the kinds of things that came packed with old high end boards.

I've always trusted onboard because my speakers were the cheapest I could get, or frankensteins built out of junk parts. Dead TVs are a nice source of speakers, pair them with an USB cable, couple of diodes and resistors and boom you've got a functional pair of speakers. But it was about time for something decent that matches my style: classic with a few improvements.

I'll try the chokes, this goes on the signal cable right? Thing is that's kind of an adapter instead of a proper cable, as it adapts 2RCA to 3.5mm jack, just like my phone adapts the weird Sony connector to 2RCA

The world of audio is truly new to me.

 

[lexluthermiester]

For around $100 so no audiophile tier. I'd like to avoid USB anything, I don't like sound over USB, feel the analogue ports are still good enough.

For that price range, you've got a good selection of options.

SoundBlasterX AE5

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086QN3WNX

$130

SoundBlaster Audigy RX

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EO6X7PG

$70

SoundBlaster Audigy FX

Amazon.com: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX PCIe 5.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp: Computers & Accessories

Buy Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX PCIe 5.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp: Internal Sound Cards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

$40

While I personally prefer Creative cards, Asus makes a few very good models too;

Xonar AE

Amazon.com

$80

Xonar SE

Amazon.com

$40

Where it comes to the noise you're experiencing, moving the audio source to a dedicated, shielded and power filtered point will do much to remove much of the potential noise.

Your issue is across multiple frequency bands and also issues with outlet used. You can test this by plugging the speakers into an outlet on a different fuse breaker with no source. If the noise goes away a ferrite choke bead might help with the amount of crud your computer is injecting as well.

Look if the cord already has one installed before buying a bead and size correctly for the cord if you do purchase one. Correctly can mean looping the cord through one ferrite two or three times at cost of cord length. Or just clamping it on per below.

I'll try the chokes, this goes on the signal cable right? Thing is that's kind of an adapter instead of a proper cable, as it adapts 2RCA to 3.5mm jack, just like my phone adapts the weird Sony connector to 2RCA

Yes, this is also good idea to try. It's not a cure-all, but they can be helpful for noise coming in from your power lines. And there is the key point, any choke you buy will need to be mounted on the power cord coming into your PC as well as the power supplying the speakers. Putting a choke on the audio line from the sound output on the PC will not do much as at that point the sound is already processed and the noise integrated into the signal going to the speakers. The key is to prevent the noise from making into the output signal.

If you're living in an environment that has a lot of RF and EMF emissions, it might be impossible to remove all noise, but with the right choices in equipment, you can reduce what will make it into your sound output.

 

[droopyRO]

Nope. And no exorcists either.

Try to borrow a USB sound card or a DAC like a Fiio E10K like i have. If it is a problem with the onboard audio, the USB card should be free of it.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Try to borrow a USB sound card or a DAC like a Fiio E10K like i have. If it is a problem with the onboard audio, the USB card should be free of it.

You might have overlooked this part of the conversation:

I'd like to avoid USB anything, I don't like sound over USB, feel the analogue ports are still good enough.

 

[droopyRO]

I said borrow not buy. If it dose the same on USB as on onboard. Then you isolated the issue to the speakers or wall socket. And someone please explain to me how sound is different on a USB connection than on a analog one.

 

[cvaldes]

I’m a PC audio neophyte but I thought the two main reasons to use an external USB DAC are 1.) better quality DAC in external gear and 2.) reduce noise from EMI inside the PC case.

Either way the audio goes through a DAC at some point along the signal path so reading “I don’t like sound over USB” is a mystifying declaration to me.

Apart from saving a little cash, is there a truly compelling reason to use onboard audio outputting an analog signal?

Of my various computers all (except my notebook PC) are outputting digital audio over HDMI or DisplayPort cables. My daily driver PC also outputs optical digital to a small Teac receiver. My Mac also outputs digital audio over USB to a Cambridge DacMagic.

What am I missing by favoring an external DAC over onboard audio?

 

[nomdeplume]

And why is the noise gone when I use the front jack? isn't that sound coming from the onboard as well? cranked up the volume to 100% and nothing can be heard.

I'll try the chokes, this goes on the signal cable right? Thing is that's kind of an adapter instead of a proper cable, as it adapts 2RCA to 3.5mm jack, just like my phone adapts the weird Sony connector to 2RCA

I must have missed reading this key fact in the topmost quote. Ferrite choke is not the most obvious solution anymore. My online diagnosis of "I did crazy stuff with my power" certainly made it a higher priority to remove as cause.

They can be fit to pretty much any cord or cable. I have USB that came from the factory with one installed. The name choke should tell you they may not be the ideal thing to place on an audio only adapter cable.

Well I kinda knew an expensive set of speakers wouldn't work with puny onboard audio so what are any decent sound cards but at an affordable price? For around $100 so no audiophile tier. I'd like to avoid USB anything, I don't like sound over USB, feel the analogue ports are still good enough.

I guarantee your speakers were designed with onboard audio as one of the most likely sources. Phone and PC.

3.5mm port are more than good enough. Your mobo 3.5mm port does not seem to be so great for this application. Nor do I believe onboard sound card are a feasible solution with modern hardware. Your phone or PC realistically have the same or better capability. I suspect this will be hard to hear, but PCIe sound cards are in everything but name USB sound cards.

Sub $100 USB DAC might be your only feasible upgrade. Not option, upgrade. Not suggesting a devalued legacy piece of Schitt either. More sophisticated.

I respect the decision to spend zero monies is preferable. Any caroline! as clever as they seem might just unhook their front 3.5mm jack from the mobo and contrive a means to feed audio directly to or through a rear mounted 3.5mm female connector and adapter cable into their speakers.

 

[Chomiq]

Ummm:

Edifier S350DB - High pitch noise

So i got these speakers today, massive upgrade compared to the G560's! It's literally night and day, i can't believe what i've been missing out on all these years buying gamer speakers. Anyway, i noticed straight off the bat that no matter what interface i used, optical, cox, bt etc there was a...

www.overclock.net

Edifier S350DB - High pitch noise on all outputs with an exception.

So i got these speakers today, massive upgrade compared to the G560's! It's literally night and day, i can't believe what i've been missing out on all these years buying gamer speakers. Anyway, i noticed straight off the bat that no matter what interface i used, optical, cox, bt etc there was...

forums.overclockers.co.uk

^ spoiler, on third unit he finally got one that didn't produce the same type of noise you're hearing.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile/comments/k95aq9

https://www.reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile/comments/ipyrw5

https://www.reddit.com/r/audio/comments/ipyreo

https://www.reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile/comments/kadxte

Here Edifier Support told the owner that it's not an issue.

Return this POS.