crackling issue

greenbrucelee · 22 Aug 2019 at 20:42

I have some creative A250 2.1 speakers. When watching a youtube video I get intermittent crackling, if I take the jack out of the port on the back of the pc and touch it then it really crackles. I have reinstalled drivers and messed about with sound settings, have also deleted cookies etc and tried other browsers.

It doesn't happen if I download a video and watch it
It does happen on occasion when I go into my nightclub in GTA V.

If I move my speaker wire that is connected to jack I get crackling.

Does it sound like they are knackered?

greenbrucelee · 22 Aug 2019 at 20:52

think I just found out, they are knackered.

Looked on review sites where users comment. a lot of people complaining about port noise and subwoofer not working after a year.

Anyone got any ideas for less than £100? dont have room for 5.1 setup but a 5.1 sound bar is ok but any good 2.1 setup would be cool

Marsman · 22 Aug 2019 at 21:29

It does sound like a fault. Really you shouldn't hear anything by moving the cables, only maybe when pulling the jack out would I possibly expect you to hear a crackling.

You could try connecting them to something else though, like a smartphone or tablet, to see if they behave the same. Would rule out whether it is anything PC related.

If they are buggered, then there's not much in the way of 2.1 speakers I could recommend; mainly because I don't have a particularly high opinion of the majority of 2.1 speakers. Most are cheaply made to a cost. The only ones I would recommend, are the Harman Kardon Sound Sticks III, but quite a few people end up buying something else because they don't like the looks. The only other set I would have recommended, would be the Acoustic Energy Aego M; but sadly they are no longer made.

Any other 2.1 speakers and I'll leave it to others to make recommendations.

greenbrucelee · 22 Aug 2019 at 22:40

Marsman said:
It does sound like a fault. Really you shouldn't hear anything by moving the cables, only maybe when pulling the jack out would I possibly expect you to hear a crackling.

You could try connecting them to something else though, like a smartphone or tablet, to see if they behave the same. Would rule out whether it is anything PC related.

If they are buggered, then there's not much in the way of 2.1 speakers I could recommend; mainly because I don't have a particularly high opinion of the majority of 2.1 speakers. Most are cheaply made to a cost. The only ones I would recommend, are the Harman Kardon Sound Sticks III, but quite a few people end up buying something else because they don't like the looks. The only other set I would have recommended, would be the Acoustic Energy Aego M; but sadly they are no longer made.

Any other 2.1 speakers and I'll leave it to others to make recommendations.

Thanks. I'll put them on my tablet on try it.

Any opinions on the rezer leviathan sound bar?

PC777 · 22 Aug 2019 at 23:28

I was in a similar situation with faulty 2.1 speakers and wanted a same day replacement so got Soundblaster X Kratos S5s for around £100, though they are slightly over at most places now. It was either them or around £30 or £50 ones so didn't have much choice that day. The Harmons definitely are better sound, though the Kratos are nice, traditional looking speakers if you turn off the RGB, and even look 'RGB cool' with it on. Mine are connected via audio cable rather than USB as had some minor volume delay with it, fixes involved too much hassle, as have nice motherboard sound with EQ software so am fine with audio cable connection, I actually prefer it. They don't come with an audio cable though, only USB. USB better quality overall, but honestly not much difference, if any for regular use.

Actually been happy with them, not the greatest sound but good enough and clean sounding, they're also basically inaudible in idle operation, some 2.1s can hum or buzz even when 'quiet' but never had that issue at all with these. The desktop volume dial and headphone/mic port unit is also awesome as well for convenience.

Kind of a mixed opinion, great traditional looks, only decent sound, but great convenience, overall I recommend them for regular use.

greenbrucelee · 22 Aug 2019 at 23:33

PC777 said:
I was in a similar situation with faulty 2.1 speakers and wanted a same day replacement so got Soundblaster X Kratos S5s for around £100, though they are slightly over at most places now. It was either them or around £30 or £50 ones so didn't have much choice that day. The Harmons definitely are better sound, though the Kratos are nice, traditional looking speakers if you turn off the RGB, and even look 'RGB cool' with it on. Mine are connected via audio cable rather than USB as had some minor volume delay with it, fixes involved too much hassle, as have nice motherboard sound with EQ software so am fine with audio cable connection, I actually prefer it. They don't come with an audio cable though, only USB. USB better quality overall, but honestly not much difference, if any for regular use.

Actually been happy with them, not the greatest sound but good enough and clean sounding, they're also basically inaudible in idle operation, some 2.1s can hum or buzz even when 'quiet' but never had that issue at all with these. The desktop volume dial and headphone/mic port unit is also awesome as well for convenience.

Kind of a mixed opinion, great traditional looks, only decent sound, but great convenience, overall I recommend them for regular use.

Thanks I'll have a look into them.

Does they turn off or anything if you're not using them when using the USB?

PC777 · 22 Aug 2019 at 23:49

They don't turn off but they do go idle via usb, it was a resume sound from idle issue like pausing a movie, a slight volume change and distortion on resume that was too annoying. Creative support are actually great and emailed me a lot of fixes, ultimate fix involved disabling on board audio, decided just to pick up cable and go with comparable on board audio. Highly likely fixes would have worked though and was likely on board sound driver conflict.

greenbrucelee · 22 Aug 2019 at 23:51

PC777 said:
They don't turn off but they do go idle via usb, it was a resume sound from idle issue like pausing a movie, a slight volume change and distortion on resume that was too annoying. Creative support are actually great and emailed me a lot of fixes, ultimate fix involved disabling on board audio, decided just to pick up cable and go with comparable on board audio. Highly likely fixes would have worked though and was likely on board sound driver conflict.

cool thanks