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?

[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.

[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

[billt928]

I have no humming or buzzing from my HT system. Even tested 2 inputs at +15 volume with disk on pause, still no humming or buzzing. My wires are tangled mess also, guess that says something for good quality wires and dedicated power outlets.

[DiverSpear]

More than likely what you are hearing is the noise on that branch ckt. A power conditioner and/or a dedicated ckt installed for your HT gear will solve the problem.

[Zman2k2]

^^That's what I was thinking as well. You may need to invest in some sort of power conditioner. What you may be hearing is "dirty" power. Too much RF interference could be giving you the hum you're talking about.

[icyteddy]

Originally Posted by billt928

I have no humming or buzzing from my HT system. Even tested 2 inputs at +15 volume with disk on pause, still no humming or buzzing. My wires are tangled mess also, guess that says something for good quality wires and dedicated power outlets.

Agree! For the people that have the hum or buzz, wondering could it also be some AVR works better with some speakers/amp and wires than others. My wires are NOT expensive wires but they are also not the cheapest wires either. And don't get the idea of using overprice (monster cable) cables for the hum or buzz to go away. Maybe it depends on the setup also.

[DeadDog]

Originally Posted by DiverSpear

More than likely what you are hearing is the noise on that branch ckt. A power conditioner and/or a dedicated ckt installed for your HT gear will solve the problem.

Yeah, I should have thought about that but it didn't cross my mind. I live in an apartment so "dirty" power could definitely be something to consider. What power conditioners are recommended?

I also thought about the fact that different AVR's could play into it. I figure the higher end units probably do a better job of filtering noise than the lower ones. I know my receiver isn't top of the line, so that may be something as well. Not really sure.

I'll definitely look into the power conditioner, we'll see if that solves the "problem".

[walmat]

Originally Posted by DeadDog

Yeah, I should have thought about that but it didn't cross my mind. I live in an apartment so "dirty" power could definitely be something to consider. What power conditioners are recommended?

I also thought about the fact that different AVR's could play into it. I figure the higher end units probably do a better job of filtering noise than the lower ones. I know my receiver isn't top of the line, so that may be something as well. Not really sure.

I'll definitely look into the power conditioner, we'll see if that solves the "problem".

The higher end units will be more sensitive and amplify signals that won't be detected by lesser amps which means that your new equipment may be picking up something that's always been there.
Before spending money on a power conditioner try plugging your amp into the wall with a two prong plug or any plug that doesn't have a ground prong if you have it. Use an old 2 prong extension cord if you have it. Then turn the volume up on your amp without any inputs and listen for a hum If it's quiet that means you have voltage between the ground and neutral. Since you're in a building this is very common. If the two prong trick works you won't need a conditioner.

[surfdude12]

what about loud pops from the speakers when the system is booting up?? but speakers still work ok during movie! is this indicative that they're going bad??

[DiverSpear]

Originally Posted by walmat

The higher end units will be more sensitive and amplify signals that won't be detected by lesser amps which means that your new equipment may be picking up something that's always been there.
Before spending money on a power conditioner try plugging your amp into the wall with a two prong plug or any plug that doesn't have a ground prong if you have it. Use an old 2 prong extension cord if you have it. Then turn the volume up on your amp without any inputs and listen for a hum If it's quiet that means you have voltage between the ground and neutral. Since you're in a building this is very common. If the two prong trick works you won't need a conditioner.

Not a good idea you now have nowhere for fault current to go if you don't use the three prong plug that came with the unit, plus the ground is also connected to the shielding of the circuitry in the AVR. The hum is more than likely 2nd order or triplen harmonics on the neutral. Turn off the breaker to that recept and see what else is dead. You could have a ceiling fan causing the problem or fluorescent lighting, those are the two common contributors.

I had popping from my sub until I installed a dedicated ckt just for the HT gear. It wound up being the ceiling fan in the room which also had flourescent bulbs installed.

As far as power conditioners I recommend Panamax and Furman but other people here prefer Monster. Really depends on your budget.

One of these days I will have to breakout an o'scope and show the neutral currents before and after a conditioner.

Will you hear an improvement on sound, (other than annoying hums gone) not really, will you see an improvement on PQ for your video gear probably not, but will your electronics enjoy the cleaner power, absolutely. Inside they will be doing the Snoopy dance.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

what about loud pops from the speakers when the system is booting up?? but speakers still work ok during movie! is this indicative that they're going bad??

I am not sure of what would cause this. But, it is always a good idea to turn down the receiver or preamp so that when you start up there is much less chance of speaker damage. If you are using a Pre or Pre/Pro you can turn the volume down before you fire up your power amps.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

From what the OP described, I don't think it's a power conditioner issue, although I would strongly recommend that everyone have one, or at least a good surge protector.

I have a power conditioner on my setup and there is still a very slight hum from the speakers when nothing is playing, but my ear has to be next to the speaker to hear it. The OP identified that this was the case with his speakers as well.

I quite frankly don't think he has anything to worry it or that anything is necessarily wrong with any of his componants.

John

[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!

[walmat]

[QUOTE=DiverSpear;1692254]Not a good idea you now have nowhere for fault current to go if you don't use the three prong plug that came with the unit, plus the ground is also connected to the shielding of the circuitry in the AVR. The hum is more than likely 2nd order or triplen harmonics on the neutral. Turn off the breaker to that recept and see what else is dead. You could have a ceiling fan causing the problem or fluorescent lighting, those are the two common contributors.

The two prong trick I suggested was to eliminate the possibility that it was neutral to ground voltage. You are correct though there would be no fault protection but that could be remedied with a GFCI. Ideally you want to run separate ccts for audio/video to eliminate inductive loads from introducing harmonics but unfortunately in an apartment there isn't that opportunity.

I had a similar problem with my powered sub which picked up the neutral to ground voltage and amplified it. That 60 Hz was right in its range. When I renovated my basement I installed all new bonds to properly ground my panel. I also ran separate ccts for my HT and now it works fine. I only use a surge suppressor but as you say one day I should bring home a scope and check out how clean the sine wave is.