Need help with speakers or soundcard (high pitched whine)

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:19 pm

Hello again peeps!

I have no idea how this happened, but after last night everytime i turn on my surroundsound it has a REALLY loud high pitched noise.. i'll upload the sound a bit later..

anyways i have the Logitech Z-5450 surround speakers with wireless rear speakers and the soundblaster xtreme x-fi 7.1 soundcard..

and no matter the volume (except off/mute) it has the same loud noise and it doesnt change in volume... it pisses the hell outta me! so any help would be greatly appreciated and awarded by the only thing i can give you: +1

Thanks in advance Smile

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:22 pm

first, is the sound coming from all the speakers, or only the wireless rear ones?

My first thought would be to manually redownload the driver package for your card from creative and reinstall it, it's possible a setting has just been thrown off and hopefully removing and reinstalling the driver and software package could fix that.

Wiping with ccleaner or another clean up tool in the process would not be a bad idea either.

I would also check all the wiring making sure nothing is coming in close contact with power chords or anything else that could be causing interference with the audio signal.

Also have you rearranged anything lately?
Is there something new either physically in the room or software on the computer that may have affected this.
This could even include games and the like that install their own ocx files.

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:56 pm

Do you by any chance have some kind of a mic near the speakers?

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:08 pm

WhiteViper wrote:

Do you by any chance have some kind of a mic near the speakers?

I was going to say the exact same thing, try muting your mic in the sound controls .
Other than that it could be electrical interference on your wireless's, or about 10 other things . Time to do the old process of elimination .

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:10 pm

I was under the impression he had been using it and this was a problem that suddenly popped up.

If not then yeah, mic is the most likely culprit.

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:09 am

Hey guys.. thanks for your reply..

I have checked the wiring and everything seems fine.. i plugged literally everything out and put it back in (the right) order..

The only "mic" i have is in my webcam, but it doesn't seem to change anything to mute it or disable it...

The whine is coming from all 5 speakers with the same volume.. and my subwoofer sometimes pops a bit like popcorn - but with a bass sound..

When i get home i'm gonna upload a sound sample so you guys can hear how annoying it is.. also, i'll try reinstalling drivers and using ccleaner..

I'm really scared that the whine is there because my speakers are damaged cos i put the volume too high... but we'll see..

i'll keep you posted Smile

thanks guys!

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:37 am

logic dictates the sound card..... if its on all speaker channels its the signal not the speakers.

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:44 am

Simple test would be to plug in the speakers to some other source and see if you still have the problem.

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:34 am

Okay guys so i've done almost everything now..

here is the sample (sorry for the stupid upload site):
download

Now its only my front speakers (incl. center) and still the sub..

weird observation though: when i use my headphones connected with its mic, i get the same whine in my headphones as i get in my speakers.. so now i know they arent broken at least Smile

EDIT: another observation i just made - when i disconnect my surround from my pc (the 3 colored cables) it still makes that sound.. so i think that rules out a soundcard issue..?

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:50 am

That's mains hum. Check all your power cables, if it's coming through your headphones then you can isolate the problem to, or near, your pc.

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:31 pm

djdezzie wrote:

That's mains hum. Check all your power cables, if it's coming through your headphones then you can isolate the problem to, or near, your pc.

thanks guys.. i unplugged my computer, rearranged ALL my cables so it looks nice and organized, and tried seperating my audio cables from my power cables and somehow this worked.. the whine is almost completely gone now and you have to put your ear next to the speaker in order to hear it... Very Happy

good job everyone... loving this site more and more!!
+1 to all

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:34 pm

yeah, I figured either my first post or the mic would cover the problem.
About the only other thing I can think of is to use 3rd party shielded cables if the speakers allow for it.

Which I kind of doubt as most computer speakers have cables that are attached to them on the inside of the enclosure.

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:10 am

WOW me and C_F are good at this stuff, check posts 2 and 4 Smile

Oh and Dezzie sweet call on the noise mate .
Glad you got it sorted man, that noise woulda have caused me to murder someone Razz

Crooked_Ferret wrote:

yeah, I figured either my first post or the mic would cover the problem.
About the only other thing I can think of is to use 3rd party shielded cables if the speakers allow for it.

Which I kind of doubt as most computer speakers have cables that are attached to them on the inside of the enclosure.

I think you maybe able to buy a shielded cable tidy, im sure i have seen them somewhere which should solve it 100%. Not sure how much they cost though :/

Failing that buy a shielded mains cable Wink

Like this one, not cheap but would do the job
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Audio-Hi-Fi-SHIELDED-IEC-Mains-Power-Cable-CUSTOM-MADE_W0QQitemZ180431802994QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL?hash=item2a0292d272

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:10 am

Glad to hear that it's "nearly" gone! Another thought is your pc earthed ok? You have a 3 pin plug (live, neautral and earth) make sure the earth cable is attached to the metal case of your pc, that can also cause this problem. If you're plugged into an extension lead make sure the cables are all connected tightly on that as well and that it is 3 core cable and not 2 core!

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:41 am

djdezzie wrote:

Glad to hear that it's "nearly" gone! Another thought is your pc earthed ok? You have a 3 pin plug (live, neautral and earth) make sure the earth cable is attached to the metal case of your pc, that can also cause this problem. If you're plugged into an extension lead make sure the cables are all connected tightly on that as well and that it is 3 core cable and not 2 core!

This doesn't make so much sense to me Smile

i'm more a software guy than hardware i think.. if i'm any.. I think my rig should be set up fine, cos dell did it!! lol... the only thing i replaced when i got it was the graphics card, and i didnt tamper with anything else inside...

i'm 100% sure it was the exterior cables that were making all the fuss.. cos once i changed that around everything works fine... the noise is actually completely gone now!! But i'll still take your advice and get those sheilded mains cables!

@CHILI25: Yes you guys are awesome!! and thanks a lot for helping a stupid nerd out Very Happy

hehehe

EDIT: I don't think i can find any shielded cables that work for my surround.. but hey.. its not necessary i guess Smile