Headset Hissing sound that increases whenever volume is played

Mr Arky · 15 Jul 2014 at 14:40

Need help, recently got myself a Razer Kraken 7.1 USB Headset.
Any sound that is played through them is accompanied by a hissing/static sound, with bad audio quality.

I have tried it on 2 Computers with the same problem., and tried every USB port front and back.

This is the second headset as this one I received was a replacement of the first as Razer support said it sounded faulty.

Could it be a sound card problem? idk why this is happening, any help as to why it is would be of great help, thank you.

--- Could I only get advice on the question, and not recommendations to buy another specific headset, as my friend has it and gets no static sounds, I'm just curious why its doing it thats all. ty

shankly1985 · 15 Jul 2014 at 15:29

Sounds like the unit is faulty if its happening on more than one system. By any chance the two system share similar hardware? Like Motherboard.

With the headset being USB it wont use your sound card so it wont be that.

Mr Arky · 15 Jul 2014 at 16:04

This is the second headset that is doing it after replacing the first kraken.
And no the 2nd computer is much older, about 5 years or so between them.

Thats why I'm completely baffled, 2 pc's, same problem, 2 separate headsets, and I'm almost certain I had this issue with a previous USB headset which is why i swapped it then for a jacks headset.

Cookeh · 15 Jul 2014 at 16:32

High noise floor level in the Kraken would explain it.

shankly1985 · 15 Jul 2014 at 16:35

A_Metal_Viking said:
This is the second headset that is doing it after replacing the first kraken.
And no the 2nd computer is much older, about 5 years or so between them.

Thats why I'm completely baffled, 2 pc's, same problem, 2 separate headsets, and I'm almost certain I had this issue with a previous USB headset which is why i swapped it then for a jacks headset.

am not sure then sorry. maybe take to your friends and have him use it on his PC. seeing his works if it does it on his PC then you know its a faulty unit.

Cookeh · 15 Jul 2014 at 18:03

Cookeh said:
High noise floor level in the Kraken would explain it.

This, or it needs grounding. Plug it in a charger (off obviously).

Marsman · 15 Jul 2014 at 23:07

Using a USB charger (assuming that is what you meant) is no use, as the Kraken uses USB for audio. OP, try plugging them into a laptop running on battery. If there is no noise, it's a USB grounding or interference problem with your computer. If there is still noise, it's likely to be another faulty headset.

Cookeh · 15 Jul 2014 at 23:19

USB grounding was precisely what I meant, I would have thought that plugging it into a charger that is grounded would amend the issue - please correct me if I'm wrong, its somewhat of a old wives tale I'll admit.

Marsman · 15 Jul 2014 at 23:38

Yes, but if the USB connection is also used for audio as well as power, how will it work by being plugged into a USB charger?

Cookeh · 16 Jul 2014 at 01:12

Pah. Brainfart. Cheers dude!

Kelt · 17 Jul 2014 at 09:08

A_Metal_Viking said:
Need help, recently got myself a Razer Kraken 7.1 USB Headset.
Any sound that is played through them is accompanied by a hissing/static sound, with bad audio quality.

I have tried it on 2 Computers with the same problem., and tried every USB port front and back.

This is the second headset as this one I received was a replacement of the first as Razer support said it sounded faulty.

Could it be a sound card problem? idk why this is happening, any help as to why it is would be of great help, thank you.

--- Could I only get advice on the question, and not recommendations to buy another specific headset, as my friend has it and gets no static sounds, I'm just curious why its doing it thats all. ty

I bought the Razer Carcharias headset that was on offer the other day, and had the same problem. Solved by plugging it into a USB port on my monitor.

Reading around, it looks like it's a problem with USB grounding on motherboard ports.

So a powered USB hub should solve your problem, if you don't have access to any other powered ports.

nuzik · 17 Jul 2014 at 09:43

Some usb ports make more noise than others.

Marsman · 17 Jul 2014 at 10:26

Kelt said:
I bought the Razer Carcharias headset that was on offer the other day, and had the same problem. Solved by plugging it into a USB port on my monitor.

Reading around, it looks like it's a problem with USB grounding on motherboard ports.

So a powered USB hub should solve your problem, if you don't have access to any other powered ports.

Kraken uses USB for audio, so any USB hub or mains charger is of no use. That will only work if the headset uses USB for power only.

Kelt · 17 Jul 2014 at 11:15

Marsman said:
Kraken uses USB for audio, so any USB hub or mains charger is of no use. That will only work if the headset uses USB for power only.

Why are things so complicated.