Subwoofer BUZZ!!!

Pilch · 20-06-2005, 09:48 AM

Moved house yesterday and setup my entire theatre system, all seems to be right except the subwoofer which lets off a "BUZZ" when the following instances occur....

- I turn on the subwoofer after the amplifier
- I change the input selection (DVD input, CD input, TV input, etc.)
- Whilst playing a DVD, it did it at commencement of the movie

:
- and also there is a lacking of Bass when using the CD player as my input.

Any ideas what I should be looking for to solve the issue? it didn't do this before it was moved and don't know where to look

:

A bit of background, it's a Pioneer amplifier and US Audio speakers and subwoofer. A nice "middle of the road" system which i've been really happy with

_2:

MrQuan · 20-06-2005, 09:50 AM

Sounds like a grounding issue, check all cables are in good condition and plugs and leads are all fully plugged-in. If you tend to stretch wires, this can damage them inside without any visible damamge.

Buzzing is almost always a symptom of bad grounding.

MrQuan · 20-06-2005, 10:04 AM

Also, I just thought....

If the cables going into the amps (input) aren't well shielded, make sure they aren't eccssively long and aren't coiled or run past and electrical gear (like fans, televisions, etc).

The buzzing may also be caused by interference

As a last resort, I'd say there is an internal grounding problem (like a dry solder joint come loose in the circuitry from you moving it around). That would be a warranty or repair shop issue.

Pilch · 20-06-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrQuan

Sounds like a grounding issue, check all cables are in good condition and plugs and leads are all fully plugged-in. If you tend to stretch wires, this can damage them inside without any visible damamge.

Buzzing is almost always a symptom of bad grounding.

Thanks. I know one surround speaker wire got a bit of a stretch, but generally i'm pretty careful. So the only way to find it will be to go through and un-plug every set of wires one at a time till I isolate the fault?

Might try running a different wire to the sub than as well, see if it has an effect.

MrQuan · 20-06-2005, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilch

Thanks. I know one surround speaker wire got a bit of a stretch, but generally i'm pretty careful. So the only way to find it will be to go through and un-plug every set of wires one at a time till I isolate the fault?

Might try running a different wire to the sub than as well, see if it has an effect.

Damage to the speaker wires themselves (e.g. after the amp) woun't cause buzzing really. In that case it would be crackling or cutting in and out.

Buzzing would come from a cable before the amp in the system ;)

Pilch · 20-06-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrQuan

Buzzing would come from a cable before the amp in the system ;)

Okay, that won't take so long to isolate than. Cheers

Danny · 20-06-2005, 01:37 PM

We have a Jenses SPX twin cone sub at our place which did the same thing. I emailed Jensen about the problem and they told me to make a modified adaptor using a double adaptor minus the earth pin.

Plug the adaptor into the wall, and plug the sub into it and it wont buzz no more. Dodgy i know. But bothe SantoItaliano and I have the same sub and have had to do the same thing.

Pilch · 20-06-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

We have a Jenses SPX twin cone sub at our place which did the same thing. I emailed Jensen about the problem and they told me to make a modified adaptor using a double adaptor minus the earth pin.

Plug the adaptor into the wall, and plug the sub into it and it wont buzz no more. Dodgy i know. But bothe SantoItaliano and I have the same sub and have had to do the same thing.

as in the power cable? No, that shouldn't be necessary as it worked perfectly before. Besides, I wouldn't mess with 240v wiring.

Danny · 20-06-2005, 06:36 PM

Make yourself a Modified adaptor NOT the outlet.

1. Get yourself a Double adaptor (you know what that is, goes into one otlet, creates two more, Bingo!)

2. Unscrew the double adaptor and remove its earth pin (The bottom middle pin)

3. Plug the modified double adaptor into the power outlet, and then plub the sub into the double adaptor. You will not hear any more humming from the sub.

Capeesh? Tell me if it works

Pilch · 21-06-2005, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

Make yourself a Modified adaptor NOT the outlet.

1. Get yourself a Double adaptor (you know what that is, goes into one otlet, creates two more, Bingo!)

2. Unscrew the double adaptor and remove its earth pin (The bottom middle pin)

3. Plug the modified double adaptor into the power outlet, and then plub the sub into the double adaptor. You will not hear any more humming from the sub.

Capeesh? Tell me if it works

Well the other idea didn't work so I'll give it a go. Might not have the resources to do it till the weekend though.

The buzz won't hurt the sub will it?

EA2BA · 21-06-2005, 08:58 AM

That idea can work as long as your sub has a 3 prong plug otherwise you will be spending time on money for nothing if the sub only has a 2 prong plug

Pilch · 21-06-2005, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dellboy999

That idea can work as long as your sub has a 3 prong plug otherwise you will be spending time on money for nothing if the sub only has a 2 prong plug

Obviously

: btw, it has the earth pin on it currently!

Danny · 21-06-2005, 12:23 PM

Dont take the earth pin off the subs plug, take it off the double adaptor. If it doesnt work, its easy to put back on anyways.

EA2BA · 21-06-2005, 12:33 PM

You would be surprised how literal some people take advice at times, best to check

Yes dont remove the earth prong, mod the adapater

santoitaliano · 21-06-2005, 06:04 PM

hey danny..

the sub amp itself the other day.. dont know if it has anything to do with it..

go a google search for "ground loop problems"

coz that what you have got...

Pilch · 22-06-2005, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santoitaliano

go a google search for "ground loop problems"

just did it. One idea that has come from it is to run all inter-related devices through one power outlet. It says if the house wiring ain't too good than having two devices plugged into two different power outlets using the same ground can still cause discrepancies.

I think I will try connencting just the Amp and Sub to the same power outlet, and having nothing else connected to power and see if the "BUZZ" still exists...

EA2BA · 22-06-2005, 08:46 AM

Yeah I think you may be on to something there, my sub started to buzz a little in our old place but only after we had a power surge (which may or may not happened in the place you moved into), since moving to a new place (as in brand new) it has all been quiet and well behaved

santoitaliano · 22-06-2005, 09:40 PM

mine happened after they installed foxtel digital..

apparently cable/sat tv has a big impact possibility...

05-07-2005, 06:03 PM

ex-installer .Makesure u have good thick rca leads no longer than 3 meters and not near tv vcr mobie phones lights . If the cable is lo qty or near a tv some times makes buzzing noise.

Pilch · 06-07-2005, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogs1979

ex-installer .Makesure u have good thick rca leads no longer than 3 meters and not near tv vcr mobie phones lights . If the cable is lo qty or near a tv some times makes buzzing noise.

but it didn't used to do it and does now since moving (all the same cables!). and i have also tried using a different cable with no benefit.

btw the sub still buzzes with the adaptor with an earth pin removed! Any further ideas?

MrQuan · 06-07-2005, 10:39 AM

Get a line conditioner. A small unit will be fine. We use them at work (I can get them cheap!) they have a backup battery to clean out any surges or brown-outs and they will clean out any ground osillations or looping problems.

Dunno how much these cost on the street... maybe $200?? If you get one plug in a powerboard and run your entire home steroe and PC off it. They usually have phone line filtering too.

Pilch · 06-07-2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrQuan

Get a line conditioner. A small unit will be fine. We use them at work (I can get them cheap!) they have a backup battery to clean out any surges or brown-outs and they will clean out any ground osillations or looping problems.

Dunno how much these cost on the street... maybe $200?? If you get one plug in a powerboard and run your entire home steroe and PC off it. They usually have phone line filtering too.

$200???? I think i'll work around the BUZZ thanks. As long as i'm smart with when things are turned on, etc. I can completely avoid the BUZZ, just takes a little effort.

06-07-2005, 12:15 PM

I have'nt any more things to try bar a inline rac filter i haven't ever had to use one but they are good from what i have read and been told but not cheap. Final thought did u try and see if one of your mates has a system and try it out on theres and see what happens.