noise coming from my Studio Speakers even when cables not connected

ShiWarrior · 22 Sep 2020 at 18:40

I have some M-Audio studio speakers which i connect to my PC and my CD player

When i have them connected up or not, there is a quite noise coming from it, not sure how to explain it, doesn't sound like interference

They are located on my desk either side of my monitor

if i turn the volume up to max it does not increase in decibels
any idea what could be causing this?

music etc come through fine

benjii · 22 Sep 2020 at 22:01

A description or recording of the noise would be really helpful in diagnosis. Can you record it with your phone and upload it to youtube or something?

mmj_uk · 22 Sep 2020 at 22:27

Ground loop? it could just be that the speakers are not that good I've had ones that constantly hiss.

ShiWarrior · 22 Sep 2020 at 22:30

ill see if i can record the sound

thanks guys

Kei · 23 Sep 2020 at 13:24

Hum or hiss?

Hiss is actually Johnson-Nyquist noise, the reason for hearing it is usually down to excessive amounts of gain in the amplifier. AKA, a poorly designed amplifier if it's noticeable at anything other than ear to the tweeter.

A ground loop shouldn't be able to exist without an input connected. Hum can be both mechanical from eddy currents in the transformer causing vibrations in the laminations to poor filtering in the power supply inside causing hum to filter through. The easy way to identify the likely source of hum is whether the frequency of the hum is 50Hz or 100Hz. 50Hz is AC mains leaking through, usually caused by poor shielding and location of transformers/wiring. 100Hz is ripple on DC leaking though which is generally inadequate or faulty PSU filtration.

ShiWarrior · 23 Sep 2020 at 14:35

very strange
turned them on today, no noise at all lol

ill connect them up and have a listen, maybe it will come back

i dont think its hmm or a hiss

postmanfw · 23 Sep 2020 at 14:43

Are they anywhere near you wireless router?

Seen that cause a noise through speakers before.

ShiWarrior · 23 Sep 2020 at 14:44

postmanfw said:
Are they anywhere near you wireless router?

Seen that cause a noise through speakers before.

yes they are, the only place i can have it unfortunately

postmanfw · 27 Sep 2020 at 00:54

Have you tried moving them apart just to test?

Or turn the router off and see if the noise stops?

kidloco · 27 Sep 2020 at 12:19

Don’t want to worry you but I had a set of m-audio active speakers a few years ago and they did that shortly before one stopped working completely.