awful popping interference

[backtothefuture]

Hey guys

I currently have a Logitech Z5500 connected up to my Audigy Player ...

problem is that everytime an electrical source in my room switches on or off , the speakers cracke/pop (i.e. if they're on) and the sub makes a bug THUD!

e.g. if the fridge compressor in my room switches on or off or if you switch the lights on or off...

The speakers and my PC are connected to an independent wall outlet ..i.e. no other apparels in my room are connected to this outlet ...

any idea of how to get rid of the above problem?

thanks

bttf

 

[wizardmaxx]

You could get a surge protector / filter. If u got an old psu you can rip it out there and make a diy one, but remember you dealing with mains voltages.

 

[Dr.EM]

I'm not sure that is the issue? Mains noise is unlikely to affect the speakers as all voltages will be turned to DC internally and small spikes will be ironed out by the filter caps.

Rather, I think the issue is airborne RF noise generated by the electrical units being switched on and off. It definately occurs in the Z-5500s and is noted as a common problem. I even get it to a small degree on my Rotel amp (it can be proven to be unrelated to mains noise as battery powered spark producing devices also make pops and noises through the speakers). Your best bet is moving them away from the sources of noise if at all possible. Locating earthed metal objects (ie, the PC case) close to the subwoofer may have a small effect in minimising this interference (make sure that sub is MAGNETICALLY shielded though).

They really should have RF shielded this, and many other computer speaker sets. Its a common, irratating and hard to eliminate problem yet costs relatively little to prevent

 

[AWBbox]

this same problem happens for me too, I don't have the same speakers and it's not just limited to the switches in my room. Every one in the house makes them pop at me

 

[backtothefuture]

I'm not sure that is the issue? Mains noise is unlikely to affect the speakers as all voltages will be turned to DC internally and small spikes will be ironed out by the filter caps.

Rather, I think the issue is airborne RF noise generated by the electrical units being switched on and off. It definately occurs in the Z-5500s and is noted as a common problem. I even get it to a small degree on my Rotel amp (it can be proven to be unrelated to mains noise as battery powered spark producing devices also make pops and noises through the speakers). Your best bet is moving them away from the sources of noise if at all possible. Locating earthed metal objects (ie, the PC case) close to the subwoofer may have a small effect in minimising this interference (make sure that sub is MAGNETICALLY shielded though).

They really should have RF shielded this, and many other computer speaker sets. Its a common, irratating and hard to eliminate problem yet costs relatively little to prevent

cheers for the advice

looks like I will have to live with it ... :/ I'm not sure whether the sub is magnetically shielded as its stock out of the box .. otherwise how do I go about acheiving that?

 

[Dr.EM]

I'm not sure if it is magnetically shielded either, but it's unfortunately not something you can add yourself afterwards realistically. It expect it is though.

I always see people mixing up magnetic shielding with RF shielding, on reviews people say "it buzzes near power cables because it's not magnetically shielded", they are completely different things just to clear that up. I just mention magnetic shielding because you don't really want strong magnetic fields near your PC, but placing the PC near the sub, incidentally, may help reduce the popping.

RF shielding it should stop the noises, but it involves either opening it and lining the whole inside with metal, or placing a fairly fine metal cage (modders mesh?) over the sub and earthing it/connecting to the speakers ground track. Both are a bit impractical, it's something logitech should have done before putting these into production. If they did it, the solution would just be to use shielded cable for every signal wire and shrouds on the input connectors. I did this when I made my amp and it doesn't click or buzz at all; it is also in a fully sealed metal case

 

[Rokusho]

Lol this happened to me recently, I jumped wondering WTF happened!!! Got no idea why it should happen though, got G500's so they should have all the shielding and I do use a decent surge protector too.