KEF x300 Sound Feedback

[Andybtsn]

Hi guys,

Any reason why my KEFs produce such a horrible noise when not being used? They are plugged in via USB to my PC. It tends to be that I can unplug the USB, plug it back in and they don't have any horrible static noise for a few mins but it soon starts up again. I assume interference from something but I have kept most of the wires pretty isolated. It's not massively loud but does my head in!! Anything I can do to reduce it? I tried one of those USB jitterbug things but didn't help.

Cheers

 

[Andybtsn]

Off topic but do yours ever go into standby when connected via USB?

I want to say no, I thought they were overheating hence the noise. WHy do you ask?

I will try the optical input, IIRC this option produced even more feedback when I last tried it but I had the USB plugged in too. I will remove the USB cable and try it.

 

[Andybtsn]

Tried the aux in and it was worse. Even moving my mouse caused noise to come out of the speaker!

This is the rear for the record. Happy to buy some kit and send it back if it makes no difference.

 

[Andybtsn]

The noise is also so inconsistent. I have just unplugged everything, including my laptop from the power and turned the speakers back on. So far, it's all silent; they're on (not on standby); I just know soon I will hear that horrible hiss again!

 

[Andybtsn]

Some questions

1) What is the aux in? Is it optical or some form of analogue connection?
2) So the noise from the speakers has gone with the laptop on battery power only?
3) Was all this latest testing done with USB from the laptop disconnected?

It's just a 3.5mm jack, it works, but the feedback is much worse than USB.
It has gone, I have plugged the laptop back in, the USB-C dock is plugged back in, where it gets its power and everything else USB. I predict it will come back though as I have used the laptop away from the dock before so not confident, especially as nothing has changed!
Yes the USB was disconnected.

If they're wireless speakers with BT function what's it like casting to them?

Try a portable Mp3 player with 3.5mm output and see how that is.

No wireless unfortunately, they're KEF X300A if you wanted to look at the spec.

I don't have a MP3 player I'm afraid, I did use the laptop away from power etc in the 3.5mm jack and the feedback was still present.

 

[Andybtsn]

Thanks for the help gents. The feedback is still gone! I'm still perplexed by this as it's been going on for months; the only thing I actually changed was plug into the other USB port on the laptop, which is on the other side to the power; maybe the issue?!

@SoundsGood, you have got me thinking about the standby part, they never go into standby anymore, they used as they used to make a horrible sound when they did.