Edifier S350DB - High pitch noise on all outputs with an exception.

[Jay85]

I have listened to the noise and can't hear it.

Is there any setting that increases gain or volume level when the sound is low?

You have to crank the volume really high to hear the sound in the video, it's really high pitched.

There's nothing that i can see in Windows that will allow me to control gain.

 

[Jay85]

Is there not a setting in the RealTek control panel for gain?

On my Asus Essence, I have gain setting, in addition to the windows volume settings.

You really should get another source like an external CD player, this will tell you if the fault is with the Edifier.

EDIT:

In the RealTek control panel, there is a setting called volume normalisation - make sure this is disabled.

Also make sure all effects are off in the RealTek panel.

Found my old ipod with a 3.5mm jack interface. Plugged it in and still the same, makes this high pitch squealing sound.

 

[Jay85]

Is there not a setting in the RealTek control panel for gain?

On my Asus Essence, I have gain setting, in addition to the windows volume settings.

You really should get another source like an external CD player, this will tell you if the fault is with the Edifier.

EDIT:

In the RealTek control panel, there is a setting called volume normalisation - make sure this is disabled.

Also make sure all effects are off in the RealTek panel.

This is how my realtek control panel looks right now.

 

[Jay85]

I can hear it But i had to normalise the audio from that video as it's very quiet. IMO, Poor QC if you have a second set that does it with nothing plugged in. Send 'em back.

looks like you arent the only one to have issues like this with those speakers
English Drummer: Edifier S350DB high pitch noise defect

I'm thinking the same, i might just be that unlucky to get 2 faulty products.

Do i gamble though and get another set, 3rd time lucky?

Edit, i saw that post too, i actually commented in it to see if anyone else had more recent experiences lol.

 

[Jay85]

Just looking at the Edifier S360DB instead, is it worth the extra over the S350db? Did a quick google search and there's no problems with any noise or interference with them.

 

[Jay85]

I've just watched this video, to be honest I personally prefer the Yamaha's over the Edifiers...

I do like the sound of those Yamaha's, it sounds more full and the sub really isn't needed. I want to hear it in person though, trying to source a local shop that stocks them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhhSP2y2YnE

I think maybe something may be causing interference with the speakers.
On my first defective unit the high pitch was noticeably louder and across every output/input.
If on the digital (optical) it doesn't occur, I'm just wondering what may be causing it.
When I was considering using my S350db for my gaming corner (PS5) and got myself a Presonus Eris 3.5, after many people recommending them, in 5 minutes I've changed my mind, kept the S350DB with my PC and headphones for the PS5.

I really don't know, no matter where in the house the speakers make the same squealing sound even if nothing is plugged in.

So last resort last night, i dug out the other set before returning them to test and here is what i found:

Nothing is plugged in - There is the squealing sound from selecting PC, AUX, Bluetooth.

There is no sound from COX or OPT though but the problem still persists if i set OPT above 44.1khz.

 

[Jay85]

The Tacima 6 way arrived as well as the Micro HD400 2 channel hum destroyer. Will test those out as well and leave feedback in here.

 

[Jay85]

Right tested it with the Tacima and the Hum destroyer and no change, still have the loud squeal coming from the speakers. What i've noticed over the past few days of using them is, there is no noise at first but then gradually the piercing sound gets louder and louder to the point where it does get a unbearable. Doesn't help that im more susceptible to these sounds so i can't ignore it.

Like Some of you have said its probably a faulty internal DAC or Amp but still doesn't explain why it doesn't do it at 44.1khz in optical out but will do it on every other source no matter the resolution set.

Edit: Audio does feel cleaner, clarity has definitely improved too.

 

[Jay85]

I suspected it's a fault rather then EMI or RF issue. It does look like it's something with the DAC or electronics.

Thanks for confirming the Tacima has improved audio however.

Quite impressed with it, i honestly didn't think it would make that much of a difference but it really has.

I've got a G6 DAC coming and another set of speakers to try so will give it all another go.

3rd time lucky... wish me luck lol

 

[Jay85]

Yes glad that's helped, just got to sort the issue with the Edifier now, I would replace it.

Replacement on the way, i decided in the end to upgrade to the 360 model.

Update again soon when all is setup and done. Been a journey i have to admit, never thought i'd have audio issues like this lol.

 

[Jay85]

Quite sad knowing you're having issues with the S350DB. What is causing the issue we may never find out.
Looking for reviews of the S360DB and seems to be very good.
Hope you get it trouble free.
About the optical not presenting the issue, eventually it will, if the issue is with the internal amp, which in some form I believe it is your issue, either by interference or by design., As other sockets/sources resulted in the same issues.
My first unit, faulty, was the S351DB, the black one. The issue was present in all outputs but the optical. A week later the optical was affected too.
If the issue is present at any range/input/output, the safest bet is replacement, at least while you can.

I mean to get 2 units both faulty with the same fault is pretty unlucky but the problem is i can't pin it down and be 100% sure.

Edifier themselves did get back to me after hearing the audio from the video footage i sent them and said it was an internal issue but they can't do the testing since i didn't buy direct from them so can't 100% confirm either.

Fingers crossed for the 3rd set, i've checked reviews and even googled the same problem for the 360 model and thus far nothing has shown so im expecting it to be problem free.


Just a quickie, i have the G6 ordered as well per your recommendation and at a steal of price, did you download the creative software or just use it in direct mode and control the audio resolution through windows sound settings?

 

[Jay85]

For the G6 I use the creative software. Plenty of options, but I don't use most of them, to be honest.
When plugged to my TV, via optical, there are less options, but the audio quality still great, driving my headphones easily but some important options still available via device's direct controls.
Depending on the headphone used the options available via software allow to fine tune the headphones. Mine plays to my satisfaction as standard.

Nice, i'm gonna be using it drive both my headphones and my new speakers, i think the only connection available to connect the speakers to the G6 is via optical as far as im aware?

If there's more way please let me know.

Edit: Ah i just realised the connectors at the back are a combo of both line out 3.5mm and optical! Never seen that before!

 

[Jay85]

The rear output works as a common 3.5 jack or mini toslink cable.
If going optical, a Toslink to mini toslink cable is required. But you can plug a common 3.5 jack to RCA no problem or even 3.5 to 3.5. . It was my first interaction which a dual function port.
If using the G6 as direct mode, the same applies: mini toslink to toslink or 3.5 to RCA or even 3.5 to 3.5.
For the headphones the front 3.5 jack.

Perfect, getting everything tomorrow so will test it all out. I'll order a mini toslink to toslink cable as well just incase, i think the G6 comes bundled with one too but i'll get a spare.

 

[Jay85]

@Drumroll @JasonM @Bill Turnip

WOOHOO 3rd time lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!! No high pitch noise! No humming, just pure perfect audio!

Freaking over the mooooooooooon! Combined them with the G6 DAC running in Direct Mode playing some hi res audio clips at 24bit 192khz and it sounds unbelievable!

Love the sound of these, there is definitely a nice notch up from the 350's.

I'm running them in QED RCA to 3.5mm to the G6 for now but i have a FOSMON optical to mini optical to test yet.


So happy! After a week of messing about, trial and error, testing i can safely say it was just down to 2 faulty units.


Massive thank you to all of you who had a hand in helping and recommending, can't thank you enough!

 

[Jay85]

Jay85, another tip. All speakers need time to run in, don't drive them to hard for the first 48 hours of use, then you can start increasing the power. Basically what happens is the material of the speaker needs time to settle in from new, once this happens they will sound better.

Good to know, i’ve not pushed the volume up just done some general listening to music and light gaming.

Tested the optical line as well and it works fine, can’t really tell which sounds better tbh but the optical you definitely have to be more careful with.

 

[Jay85]

What I recommend, even when your not in the room, just leave the Edifiers playing at low volume. Then slowly over time you can increase the volume on them.

You will know when speakers run in, as you have more pronounced bass, and better mid range.

The very worst thing anyone can do, is take a brand new speaker, and drive it very loud initially.

That's good to know, i'll be doing that when im away from the computer from now on. To know these speakers can still give more is really quite impressive!

To confirm, the Edifier does not have any RCA connections, only the 3.5mm?

EDIT. I did some research, I realise the Edifier has RCA's, but it's the G9 with the 3.5mm output.

Yes the G6 has a mini optical/3.5mm supported ports for line in and out.

Using optical for now as the cable is shorter since the RCA one i bought is 2m long and no longer need this much length since the speaker houses all the connections now instead of the sub.

 

[Jay85]

Glad you got everything working!

Thanks mate!

After few days you'll notice the sound a bit warmer.
You can use a longer usb for the G6, no issues, as long as the cable is of decent quality.

Will look into this, the G6 is right next to the psu at the moment so ideally i want it abit further away.

Also switched back to RCA to 3.5mm jack as i realised in optical mode im not using the DAC/AMP in the G6 as it comes out of direct mode. Defeats the point of buying one otherwise.

 

[Jay85]

Another vantage using the G6 via USB is that, as long you configure your USB ports to stop power supply when the PC is off, will allow to switch it on and off with the PC. Very convenient.

That's one thing i've noticed, it's not powering off when i turn the pc off lol so i think i need to tinker with the bios abit to get that feature working.

Only realised when i came back to my desk this morning to find it lit up still.

 

[Jay85]

Enabled ERP and it's turned off all USB devices after power down, perfect! Dunno why i didn't do this before tbh.

 

[Jay85]

I never bothered changing it before, to be honest.
But works as if it was an internal card, powering-wise.
Very convenient.

I think its disabled by default cos i don't remember ever changing this setting when setting my overclock.

I did find one weird issue, when i powered on the pc the DAC doesn't get recognised and i have to unplug and reconnect the G6 for it to work. Not sure what's going on there as it should detect the device and load drivers when it goes into windows.