Speakers keeps popping?

Xpire · 05-13-2006, 08:47 AM

This problem just started today, one of the speakers keep making popping noise once every few minutes. I tried changing the wires from L to R etc. and then after this the other speaker was making popping noises. Most likely it's the source that im plugging my speakers into, which is the subwoofer. It's not a branded speaker, says omni on it, dunno what that is.
oh yeah, this popping noise isnt only when im playing music and stuff. it even happens when nothing is playing and the speakers are on.

**The_Other_One** · 05-13-2006, 02:19 PM

Try unplugging them from the computer and see if they make any noises. I suspect it's the amp. If that's the case, I'm afraid there's not too much you can do. Heh, I had a similar problem once. Though, i got one POP, and that set of speakers never worked again...

Starman* · 05-13-2006, 09:23 PM

Do you have an external amplifier (say mounted in the subwoofer)? As The_Other_One suggested, disconnecting the signal output from the pc to the amplifier or subwoofer will show where the problem is.

Depending on what inputs you have enabled to the pc audio it could be coming in on any of those. Try turning off every input.

Popping can occur when some heavy electrical equipment is switched on/off and the blip get through the power supply of the pc or amplifier. It would tend to affect both channels but not necessarily.

Make sure your signal connections and sound card are firmly in place.

Starman*

Bobo · 05-13-2006, 09:30 PM

I had a similar problem, and reinstalling the sound card worked.

Xpire · 05-14-2006, 09:48 AM

Thanks for your replies guys

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starman*

Do you have an external amplifier (say mounted in the subwoofer)? As The_Other_One suggested, disconnecting the signal output from the pc to the amplifier or subwoofer will show where the problem is.
Depending on what inputs you have enabled to the pc audio it could be coming in on any of those. Try turning off every input.

Not sure what you mean by the inputs.. but i dont think i have any external amplifiers. it's just plugged straight for the subwoofer that is contains the power supply for the speakers straight into the pc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobo

I had a similar problem, and reinstalling the sound card worked.

Sound card's inbuilt into the motherboard.

i'll try disconnecting the speakers from my computer. ill get back to you guys on that

if this all doesnt work.. i guess i have to put up with the popping.. or just buy new speakers.. thanks guys!

Starman* · 05-14-2006, 03:43 PM

If you have any sort of amplifier outside the pc you would know. There would be an ac lead to plug in. I think most pc speakers are powered. The signal output from the pc has light green plugs usually. Try disconnecting that at the speaker end. Does the popping stop?

The inputs I'm referring to are things like
Line In
Microphone
Wave
Midi Synth

These are inputs on the Windows playback mixer (sndvol32.exe) which you can mute. If you mute one of them and the popping goes away, you have found the source.

As an example, my tv card audio is connected to the line in. If I muted that input and the popping disappeared, the problem is with my tv card and it's connections.

Starman*

Sophocles · 05-14-2006, 05:29 PM

Most popping sounds in speakers are caused by dirty pots (Potentiometer, volume control). Do you get an increase in popping when you adjust the volume control? If so then apply a little contact cleaner and that just might take care of it.

Starman* · 05-14-2006, 06:29 PM

Sophocles, you could be right but it really depends. Xpire is getting the noise on one channel only. If there were one pot per channel then what you say could be true. In better speakers where volume, treble and bass control settings are going to the amp I would have thought it would be all single pots to save money.

I had some really cheap speakers which would have fitted your suggestion to a tee! My present (better) speakers you can't even get into within breaking the case apart.

Nitpicking a bit, dirty pots tend to be crackling rather than pops. Say, I forgot my Rice Krispies today!

Starman*

Xpire · 05-15-2006, 02:00 PM

Ahh thanks for that starman, i was kinda thinking that but wasnt too sure. I just unplugged my speakers, havent had time to use the computer and listen to the popping. Brothers been using the computer and says it still pops once in a while.. probably a few times an hour..
I muted all the input stuff on my volume control, the microphone and stuff were already muted. I just turned the volume up about half way, there's a buzzing noise coming out of one speaker.. but not the other..
If this problem keeps going.. i'm thinking about buying myself the Logitech Z-2300 2.1 speakers.. or possibly spending my money on a new asus laptop. =)

Xpire · 05-16-2006, 07:33 AM

Alright, after unplugging the speakers from the computer.. its still making buzzing and popping noises.... =\ any ideas?

05-13-2006, 08:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
Xpire Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne,Australia Age: 20 Posts: 182	Speakers keeps popping? This problem just started today, one of the speakers keep making popping noise once every few minutes. I tried changing the wires from L to R etc. and then after this the other speaker was making popping noises. Most likely it's the source that im plugging my speakers into, which is the subwoofer. It's not a branded speaker, says omni on it, dunno what that is. oh yeah, this popping noise isnt only when im playing music and stuff. it even happens when nothing is playing and the speakers are on.

05-13-2006, 02:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,368	Try unplugging them from the computer and see if they make any noises. I suspect it's the amp. If that's the case, I'm afraid there's not too much you can do. Heh, I had a similar problem once. Though, i got one POP, and that set of speakers never worked again... __________________ Desktop * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT Laptop1 * C2D T5550 \| 3G RAM \| 120G HD \| Intel x3100 Laptop2 * C2D T5250 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100

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05-13-2006, 09:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Starman* Gold Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 441	Do you have an external amplifier (say mounted in the subwoofer)? As The_Other_One suggested, disconnecting the signal output from the pc to the amplifier or subwoofer will show where the problem is. Depending on what inputs you have enabled to the pc audio it could be coming in on any of those. Try turning off every input. Popping can occur when some heavy electrical equipment is switched on/off and the blip get through the power supply of the pc or amplifier. It would tend to affect both channels but not necessarily. Make sure your signal connections and sound card are firmly in place. Starman*

05-13-2006, 09:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bobo banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Pittsburgh Age: 16 Posts: 6,623	I had a similar problem, and reinstalling the sound card worked.

05-14-2006, 03:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Starman* Gold Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 441	If you have any sort of amplifier outside the pc you would know. There would be an ac lead to plug in. I think most pc speakers are powered. The signal output from the pc has light green plugs usually. Try disconnecting that at the speaker end. Does the popping stop? The inputs I'm referring to are things like Line In Microphone Wave Midi Synth These are inputs on the Windows playback mixer (sndvol32.exe) which you can mute. If you mute one of them and the popping goes away, you have found the source. As an example, my tv card audio is connected to the line in. If I muted that input and the popping disappeared, the problem is with my tv card and it's connections. Starman*

05-14-2006, 05:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sophocles VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 165	Most popping sounds in speakers are caused by dirty pots (Potentiometer, volume control). Do you get an increase in popping when you adjust the volume control? If so then apply a little contact cleaner and that just might take care of it.

05-14-2006, 06:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Starman* Gold Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 441	Sophocles, you could be right but it really depends. Xpire is getting the noise on one channel only. If there were one pot per channel then what you say could be true. In better speakers where volume, treble and bass control settings are going to the amp I would have thought it would be all single pots to save money. I had some really cheap speakers which would have fitted your suggestion to a tee! My present (better) speakers you can't even get into within breaking the case apart. Nitpicking a bit, dirty pots tend to be crackling rather than pops. Say, I forgot my Rice Krispies today! Starman*

05-15-2006, 02:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Xpire Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne,Australia Age: 20 Posts: 182	Ahh thanks for that starman, i was kinda thinking that but wasnt too sure. I just unplugged my speakers, havent had time to use the computer and listen to the popping. Brothers been using the computer and says it still pops once in a while.. probably a few times an hour.. I muted all the input stuff on my volume control, the microphone and stuff were already muted. I just turned the volume up about half way, there's a buzzing noise coming out of one speaker.. but not the other.. If this problem keeps going.. i'm thinking about buying myself the Logitech Z-2300 2.1 speakers.. or possibly spending my money on a new asus laptop. =)

05-16-2006, 07:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
Xpire Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne,Australia Age: 20 Posts: 182	Alright, after unplugging the speakers from the computer.. its still making buzzing and popping noises.... =\ any ideas?