Subwoofer buzzing sound??? - Blu-ray Forum

HOME THEATRE ADDICT! · 10-11-2008, 02:22 PM

Lately Ive noticed a slight buzzing sound especially when theres just a little bit of dialogue going on in a movie. Last night I traced it down to the sub. It still works fine, but if there isnt much sound going on I can hear it enough that its annoying. Dont think this makes a difference but its a JBL 150 watt. It hasnt been doing it more than a few days. Any ideas what may be causing it and how to fix it??? Hopefully the amp isnt going bad!

Zoiks · 10-11-2008, 02:31 PM

Is the buzz constant, or does it come and go?

Zoiks · 10-11-2008, 02:33 PM

Is it more like a vibrating kind of buzz, or more like a 60 cycle electrical hum?

Kratos3 · 10-11-2008, 02:35 PM

It could be the amp. It could be the cable. It could be line noise from the electrical outlet. Do you have a shielded sub cable? Do you have a decent surge protector or line conditioner? It could be something as simple as making sure you don't have too many cables running parallel to each other. My first instinct was the sub cable. Having a good quality, shielded sub cable could take care of the buzzing.

Zoiks · 10-11-2008, 02:38 PM

If it's like an electrical hum, it could also be a grounding loop. You may be able to solve it by using a 3 to 2 ac adapter.

HOME THEATRE ADDICT! · 10-11-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoiks

Is the buzz constant, or does it come and go?

It must be constant now, however I cant hear it when theres action or something going on. I havent changed anything so its like it started over night.

HOME THEATRE ADDICT! · 10-11-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kratos3

It could be the amp. It could be the cable. It could be line noise from the electrical outlet. Do you have a shielded sub cable? Do you have a decent surge protector or line conditioner? It could be something as simple as making sure you don't have too many cables running parallel to each other. My first instinct was the sub cable. Having a good quality, shielded sub cable could take care of the buzzing.

I have a Acoustic Research sub cable and a surge protector, neither one is high end.

Zoiks · 10-11-2008, 03:17 PM

An easy way to check for a grounding loop would be to plug the sub into an ac outlet that is on a different circuit breaker that the rest of your system. If the buzzing goes away, that's probably it.

HOME THEATRE ADDICT! · 10-11-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoiks

An easy way to check for a grounding loop would be to plug the sub into an ac outlet that is on a different circuit breaker that the rest of your system. If the buzzing goes away, that's probably it.

Thanks, if I tried the 3-2 adapter, well why could that be the problem anyway?

Zoiks · 10-11-2008, 03:28 PM

I'm not sure what exactly causes it, but I used to have a sub that could have this problem. It's a good thing to check first since it's an easy fix.

omgitsmikeyc · 10-11-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOME THEATRE ADDICT!

I have a Acoustic Research sub cable and a surge protector, neither one is high end.

try getting a line connditioner... aproximate price 30-50 bux. make sure it filters electrical current about 1200-1700 joules. that may solve it. if doesnt, buy a good sub cable... aprox 10-50 bux depending lenght, and brand. if that doesnt work... the jbl should have a small fuse... try replacing that... my harman kardon is very similiar to the jbl. if that doesnt work... then your amp is either running warm... or could possibly be ready to go.

HOME THEATRE ADDICT! · 10-11-2008, 04:45 PM

Heres what I noticed after messing with it a little. When I pull the sub cable out of the back of the sub maybe 1/8" it stops. I tried that a few times to make sure! Thats strange to me but if that works then cool!

gearyt · 10-11-2008, 09:14 PM

when you pull it out... you are breaking the ground circuit

you mentioned a 3/2 adapter is that a adapter that allows you
to utilize a 3 wire cordset on a 2 wire circuit ??

grounding is where we are going

Big Daddy · 10-11-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOME THEATRE ADDICT!

Lately Ive noticed a slight buzzing sound especially when theres just a little bit of dialogue going on in a movie. Last night I traced it down to the sub. It still works fine, but if there isnt much sound going on I can hear it enough that its annoying. Dont think this makes a difference but its a JBL 150 watt. It hasnt been doing it more than a few days. Any ideas what may be causing it and how to fix it??? Hopefully the amp isnt going bad!

This is from Hsu Research, one of the leading subwoofer manufacturers:

Why is there is a humming or buzzing noise coming from my subwoofer?

This is a common question and can usually be solved at home. There are several possible causes:

1) You have a ground loop problem. Try using a cheater plug that removes the third prong, also called the 'ground'. Do NOT ground the grounding tab on the cheater plug! That would defeat the purpose of the cheater plug for this application.

2) You have an amplifier problem. If the ground cheater plug does not help, disconnect all interconnects from the subwoofer amplifier. If still hums, call or email technical support.

3) You have a problem with other equipment. If hum goes away when interconnects are disconnected, hum is coming from the rest of your equipment. Add them back one piece at a time. The one that causes the system to hum is the source of the hum.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/faq.html

Some subwoofers are not magnetically shielded. The reason is because some manufacturer believe that shielding lowers the bass response. It is possible that your subwoofer is picking up electro-magnetic noise. Try moving it around the room to see if it solves the problem.

Other sites that may be useful:
http://www.fixya.com/support/t274007...s_12_subwoofer
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/arch....php/f-14.html
http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...car-audio.html
http://tech.yahoo.com/qa/20080107215710AAE9S94

HOME THEATRE ADDICT! · 10-11-2008, 11:54 PM

Thanks for the input. The sub still works with the jack pulled out just a hair and the buzzing stops. is that a sign of a grounding problem? And why would it happen all of a sudden? The subs been there for 15 months.

BoschRock · 10-12-2008, 04:04 AM

Strangly, I just noticed the same problem with mine! ARGH!

HOME THEATRE ADDICT! · 10-12-2008, 02:50 PM

Strangely enough I watched The Mist again last night, and no buzzing sound after I backed out the sub cable a bit, which is the same movie I was watching the night before when I heard it. I dont really get it! Also I checked the plug and its only a 2 prong anyway.

Zoiks · 10-12-2008, 02:53 PM

Have you tried using a different sub cable? I could be that the one you are using has a grounding problem.

HOME THEATRE ADDICT! · 10-12-2008, 03:05 PM

No, I will probably get one in the near future, I dont really understand how a cable with rca jacks would go bad. Does that sound like a grounding issue? like I said when I back the cable out a hair it stops.

crea78 · 10-12-2008, 08:25 PM

My MFW-15 had a very noticeable hum when I connected the subwoofer cable to the LFE input. I got a Y adapter and that helped the problem quite a bit, but still had that hum. Then I read about the Xitel ground loop isolator which can be purchased from Amazon for around $30. Immediately the hum went away and I could turn the gain up all the way without hearing a thing!! Now my subwoofer sounds excellent

Linky: http://www.amazon.com/Xitel-gli1-x4-...843030&sr=8-11

10-11-2008, 02:22 PM	#1
HOME THEATRE ADDICT! Expert Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Ohio	Subwoofer buzzing sound??? Lately Ive noticed a slight buzzing sound especially when theres just a little bit of dialogue going on in a movie. Last night I traced it down to the sub. It still works fine, but if there isnt much sound going on I can hear it enough that its annoying. Dont think this makes a difference but its a JBL 150 watt. It hasnt been doing it more than a few days. Any ideas what may be causing it and how to fix it??? Hopefully the amp isnt going bad!

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10-11-2008, 02:31 PM	#2
Zoiks Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:New Mexico Blu-ray collection:78 Blu-ray reviews:2	Is the buzz constant, or does it come and go?

10-11-2008, 02:33 PM	#3
Zoiks Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:New Mexico Blu-ray collection:78 Blu-ray reviews:2	Is it more like a vibrating kind of buzz, or more like a 60 cycle electrical hum?

10-11-2008, 02:35 PM	#4
Kratos3 Active Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:227 Digital collection:39 Blu-ray reviews: 14	It could be the amp. It could be the cable. It could be line noise from the electrical outlet. Do you have a shielded sub cable? Do you have a decent surge protector or line conditioner? It could be something as simple as making sure you don't have too many cables running parallel to each other. My first instinct was the sub cable. Having a good quality, shielded sub cable could take care of the buzzing.

10-11-2008, 02:38 PM	#5
Zoiks Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:New Mexico Blu-ray collection:78 Blu-ray reviews:2	If it's like an electrical hum, it could also be a grounding loop. You may be able to solve it by using a 3 to 2 ac adapter.

10-11-2008, 03:17 PM	#8
Zoiks Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:New Mexico Blu-ray collection:78 Blu-ray reviews:2	An easy way to check for a grounding loop would be to plug the sub into an ac outlet that is on a different circuit breaker that the rest of your system. If the buzzing goes away, that's probably it.

10-11-2008, 03:28 PM	#10
Zoiks Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:New Mexico Blu-ray collection:78 Blu-ray reviews:2	I'm not sure what exactly causes it, but I used to have a sub that could have this problem. It's a good thing to check first since it's an easy fix.

10-11-2008, 04:45 PM	#12
HOME THEATRE ADDICT! Expert Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Ohio	Heres what I noticed after messing with it a little. When I pull the sub cable out of the back of the sub maybe 1/8" it stops. I tried that a few times to make sure! Thats strange to me but if that works then cool!

10-11-2008, 09:14 PM	#13
gearyt Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Henderson, NV Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:33	when you pull it out... you are breaking the ground circuit you mentioned a 3/2 adapter is that a adapter that allows you to utilize a 3 wire cordset on a 2 wire circuit ?? grounding is where we are going

10-11-2008, 11:54 PM	#15
HOME THEATRE ADDICT! Expert Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Ohio	Thanks for the input. The sub still works with the jack pulled out just a hair and the buzzing stops. is that a sign of a grounding problem? And why would it happen all of a sudden? The subs been there for 15 months.

10-12-2008, 04:04 AM	#16
BoschRock Senior Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Portland, OR Blu-ray collection:16 Trading Score:3	Strangly, I just noticed the same problem with mine! ARGH!

10-12-2008, 02:50 PM	#17
HOME THEATRE ADDICT! Expert Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Ohio	Strangely enough I watched The Mist again last night, and no buzzing sound after I backed out the sub cable a bit, which is the same movie I was watching the night before when I heard it. I dont really get it! Also I checked the plug and its only a 2 prong anyway.

10-12-2008, 02:53 PM	#18
Zoiks Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:New Mexico Blu-ray collection:78 Blu-ray reviews:2	Have you tried using a different sub cable? I could be that the one you are using has a grounding problem.

10-12-2008, 03:05 PM	#19
HOME THEATRE ADDICT! Expert Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Ohio	No, I will probably get one in the near future, I dont really understand how a cable with rca jacks would go bad. Does that sound like a grounding issue? like I said when I back the cable out a hair it stops.

10-12-2008, 08:25 PM	#20
crea78 Junior Member Member since:Dec 2007	My MFW-15 had a very noticeable hum when I connected the subwoofer cable to the LFE input. I got a Y adapter and that helped the problem quite a bit, but still had that hum. Then I read about the Xitel ground loop isolator which can be purchased from Amazon for around $30. Immediately the hum went away and I could turn the gain up all the way without hearing a thing!! Now my subwoofer sounds excellent Linky: http://www.amazon.com/Xitel-gli1-x4-...843030&sr=8-11

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