"My subwoofer is making a strange noise" Topic

What I've got is an old (circa 2001) Klipsch 5.1 surround sound system. The subwoofer connects to the power supply. Due to lack of space and a desire not to argue with my computer, I've been using it as a stereo system, disconnecting the two rear speakers. Other than that, I have never had problems with the audio system before.

Earlier this afternoon, while I was taking a nap, it gradually penetrated to my conscious mind that I was hearing a strange noise. I describe it as static, but it was a constant, almost rain-like or white noise-like static, not a sporadic hissing and popping sound.

After hunting around a bit, I identified the source of the noise as my sub-woofer. The noise was only coming from the sub-woofer, not the speakers. The speaker power was on, which is how I usually leave it, but the computer was off. Everything is plugged into a power strip with a fuse. I initially tried turning the speakers off, but that had no effect. So, I rooted around for the sub-woofer power cable, and unplugged it from the power strip. This worked. In the process, I noted that the back of the sub-woofer was warm, although not uncomfortably so.

This is the first time to my knowledge that my sub-woofer has behaved in this way. I own very few electronic devices… no TV, for example, and what I do have I've had for years, and have never had an interaction with the speaker system before.

I have been playing the game Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks, part of the Elder Scrolls series) lately, and I have noticed that I'll get pops, crackles, and flutters if I play that game for over an hour at a time, but I put that down as more likely due to bugs in that game than problems with my speakers.

So, what do you think? Time to look for a new sub-woofer? Time to look for a new sound system? Or is this something I can solve on my own?

Thanks!

As your sub has a power cable, that means its and 'active' design (ie it has an amplifier in the sub dedicated to powering the sub. Thats why the back of the sub is warm, nothing to worry about, although its worth noting that even when not making a noise that sub will be drawing power.

As to the static, that could be a whole range of isseus from a poor connection, 'noise' on the power line, or frankly just a cheap set of electronics.

You could try putting a mains filter between your sub and the power intake… but these are very hit and miss and the good ones can be expensive.

If its a modestly priced or cheap set up you may find you are getting some interference from other electronic equipment. Although you say you have no TV, you must be running oblivion on a screen of some sort – if this is a good old CRT then this is a slikely source. Those tubes can leak a lot of electronic interference; if its a flat screen, then thats unlikely. Another possible is that you have a big 'tangle' of cables (both power and speaker cable) sometimes you'd be surprised how muchinterference can be generated by such a tangle, which in turn interferes with the signal being sent to the speaker. The only way to resolve such interference issues is to try running different bits of kit one or two at a time and moving them about to see if you can isolate the culprit.

Its also worthwhile cleaning the cable connectors. Cable is usually a copper core, and the connectors are often brass on all but budget kit. Both these materials can degrade and most hi fi manufacturers recommend disconnecting them and cleaning them and reassembling once a year or so… but thats a long shot.

My money would be on interference from the mains supply or a dodgy piece of electronics you should bin – sorry.

Brandlin

Well, I don't think it's dodgy electronics… I have owned this sound system for 6 years, and this is the first problem I've had with it. I suppose it's possible that it could be the power supply. I've got all my computer components plugged into the same power strip. This is the setup I've had for the past nearly two years, and no problems, but I did acquire a cat recently, and he enjoys running around behind my computer desk. Possibly that has knocked something loose or rearranged the wires in such a way as to generate interference. I'll try mucking about back there.

Thanks for the response!

Of course, since it is 6 years old, it's quite possible it could simply be developing faults through the normal stresses of use.

6 years is actually pretty old for mass consumer electronics these days. Especially if this is a modestly priced system. And electronics do decay…

Brandlin