How much speaker hum is normal...if any?

[DeadDog]

I recently purchased a new receiver and speakers:

Sony STR-DG820
Energy RC-Mini Center
Energy RC-10 L/R Fronts

Everything is hooked up correctly and sounds really good. I previously had a HTiB system and never really listened too closely to the ambient noises it would make. Now that I have this I want to make sure everything is crystal clear . When I place my ear next to/real close to the the speakers (including the old HTiB speakers in the back) there is a slight hum. It's mostly noticeable from the twitters (more prominent) but also comes from the woofers as well. My question is, how normal is this?

I know I had a ground issue with my tv cable but have since fixed that. I tried to unplug everything, except the receiver, to try and isolate what may be causing it. Even with everything unplugged (including the tv cable) it is still there. It's not noticeable during normal playing, only really when I have the receiver muted and get close to the speakers to listen for it.

Any help as always is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[naturephoto1]

There should only be a slight bit of noise coming through the speakers from the amp or receiver. You should not notice it from across the room except possibly in the quietest passages.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

I'm assuming you are talking about a hum that is heard when nothing is playing....the sytem is turned on but that's it? Correct?

You will hear something in this case, but then that is not abnormal. The degree of noise is something I can't ascertain not being there, but I also know I wouldn't have my ear glued to the speaker.

If it's an audible noise from a regular seating position I'd say you have something to worry about or investigate.

Give us a few more precise details as to how and when and under what circunstances you are hearing this hum.

John

[DeadDog]

Originally Posted by John72953

I'm assuming you are talking about a hum that is heard when nothing is playing....the sytem is turned on but that's it? Correct?

You will hear something in this case, but then that is not abnormal. The degree of noise is something I can't ascertain not being there, but I also know I wouldn't have my ear glued to the speaker.

If it's an audible noise from a regular seating position I'd say you have something to worry about or investigate.

Give us a few more precise details as to how and when and under what circunstances you are hearing this hum.

John

Correct. I cannot hear it when I'm just sitting on the couch watching a movie or tv. I only hear it if I place my ear within about 1.5 feet of the speaker (with the sound muted), even then I really have to try to listen for it.

I can really tell it's there when my ear is just inches from the speaker. I assumed some noise is expected but I'm just not sure how much. Is this noise just from the speakers receiving power? Is this acceptable?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by DeadDog

Correct. I cannot hear it when I'm just sitting on the couch watching a movie or tv. I only hear it if I place my ear within about 1.5 feet of the speaker, even then I really have to try to listen for it.

I can really tell it's there when my ear is just inches from the speaker. I assumed some noise is expected but I'm just not sure how much. Is this noise just from the speakers receiving power? Is this acceptable?

I would say from what you're describing that it's acceptable. There is always a hum, sound, or whatever when you're system is on....that is normal. As long as it isn't overtly noticable you're fine.

Did you change your speakers/amplifier/other componant recently and is this something new you noticed?

John

[DeadDog]

Originally Posted by John72953

I would say from what you're describing that it's acceptable. There is always a hum, sound, or whatever when you're system is on....that is normal. As long as it isn't overtly noticable you're fine.

Did you change your speakers/amplifier/other componant recently and is this something new you noticed?

John

Yep, it's a new receiver and new speakers and wires. The HTiB I had before was just plugged in and never really though more about, so therefore I never thought to listen for the hum (or anything else for that matter). Now that I'm getting into the world of HD-audio, I'm finding myself adjusting crossover settings, calibrating, tweaking, etc. I'm just looking to make sure everything is as good as I can get it.

Thanks for your help, I think it may just be the normal "ambient" sound from the system being on. It really is not noticeable unless I'm trying to find it (at which point my ears are pressed up to the speakers )

Thanks again.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Welcome then to the wonderful world of better audio! Enjoy your new setup and be prepared for the "upgraditis" bug to hit you soon. It'll be more noticeable than any hum you hear!

Enjoy,

John

[icyteddy]

I don't have any humming or buzzing from my HT setup. With the humming I believe that could be a ground wire issues.

[sheedoe]

Originally Posted by DeadDog

I know I had a ground issue with my tv cable but have since fixed that. I tried to unplug everything, except the receiver, to try and isolate what may be causing it. Even with everything unplugged (including the tv cable) it is still there. It's not noticeable during normal playing, only really when I have the receiver muted and get close to the speakers to listen for it.

Any help as always is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Just curious, how exactly did you fix your Cable TV grounding problem? Also besides unplugging everything from the outlet, did you also specifically remove the coaxial cable from the back of your cable box (very important)?
I live in an apartment too and I was getting similar (very low) humming noise. Its now fixed!

[jomari]

Originally Posted by sheedoe

I live in an apartment too and I was getting similar (very low) humming noise. Its now fixed!

excellent choice.

to the op you basically MAY have a ground issue.

1. determine which component is grounded.
(check multiple sources, unplug dvd player, rinse. repeat)
2. isolate the source with either a good isolator for video, and/or av filter
3. check power source. may be a chance you're getting dirty dirty power.

or maybe not.

best of luck.

[DeadDog]

Originally Posted by sheedoe

Just curious, how exactly did you fix your Cable TV grounding problem? Also besides unplugging everything from the outlet, did you also specifically remove the coaxial cable from the back of your cable box (very important)?
I live in an apartment too and I was getting similar (very low) humming noise. Its now fixed!

Yep, exact same thing I did to fix the ground problem. I first noticed it when there were faint vertical lines scrolling on the tv once I got the PS3. After figuring out it was the tv cable, I researched and found the same thing you used and it got rid of the issue.

When trying to see if something else was causing a ground issue I unplugged everything (all electronics, coaxial tv cable, anything I could think of). I then only had the receiver on and tried 2 different outlets, but it didn't make a difference.

I currently have a surge protector for everything, but no power conditioner.

[sheedoe]

Originally Posted by DeadDog

Yep, exact same thing I did to fix the ground problem. I first noticed it when there were faint vertical lines scrolling on the tv once I got the PS3. After figuring out it was the tv cable, I researched and found the same thing you used and it got rid of the issue.

When trying to see if something else was causing a ground issue I unplugged everything (all electronics, coaxial tv cable, anything I could think of). I then only had the receiver on and tried 2 different outlets, but it didn't make a difference.

I currently have a surge protector for everything, but no power conditioner.

Yea a power conditioner might help. Before I bought the ground loop isolator, I was able to eliminate the humming noise by plugging in my Amp through the power conditioner. Later I was informed that a running a power hungry amp through a conditioner is not recommended. So I ordered the isolator and now I'm able to plug my amp directly to the wall outlet.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by sheedoe

Yea a power conditioner might help. Before I bought the ground loop isolator, I was able to eliminate the humming noise by plugging in my Amp through the power conditioner. Later I was informed that a running a power hungry amp through a conditioner is not recommened. So I ordered the isolator and now I'm able to plug my amp directly to the wall outlet.

Not running a power amp through a power conditioner in part is related to the design of the power conditioner. My expensive and upgraded Exact Power EP15A (including 4 pair of expensive Oyaide R1 outlets) stores power and maintains and provides the proper voltage for amps and other equipment.

http://www.exactpoweraudio.com/produ...15a/index.html

Mine is all black but here are some photos:





Rich

[sheedoe]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Not running a power amp through a power conditioner in part is related to the design of the power conditioner. My expensive and upgraded Exact Power EP15A (including 4 pair of expensive Oyaide R1 outlets) stores power and maintains and provides the proper voltage for amps and other equipment.

Rich

Yes, my (not so expensive ) power conditioner also has a dedicated power amp outlet which provides 15A of continious power and 50A peak. Still I decided to plug it seperate since my amp has its own conditioner built-in. BTW, your conditioner states total wattage output of 1196 watts. Do you find that sufficient for running all your components, including power amp? In the manual of my emo amp, it says the power requirement for the amp alone is 2200 watts .