Off-Topic - Computer speaker system advice sought...

Posted by: GrizzlyHippo on 02 November 2004

I know this isn't a Naim question, but being a Naim owner and suffering from a Klipsch speaker system plugged into my computer that HUMS, I am looking for some sound advice (sorry about the pun) before I boot the Klipsch into the trash.

Basically, can anyone recommend a computer speaker system (2 satelites + subwoofer) that does not HUM.

My old Apple Mac was so loud that it masked the hum, but my new G5 is so quiet that the humming subwoofer is driving me mad. I've tried all sorts including introducing a ground loop isolator, moving cables away from power leads etc. to no avail.

Anyone got any recommendations for a new speaker system without HUM?

Thanks,
Tom
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by justiceklopper
i would guess that is not the fault of the speakers, but rather a noisy signal.

an external soundcard may be the solution.
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by Tuan
Bose makes good speakers for computer system. Their cubes (speakers) are very fine. I use those cubes for computer games. Big Grin
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by GrizzlyHippo
justiceklopper,

I forgot to explain everything. Even with no wires into the subwoofer except the mains, it HUMS for England.

Tom
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by Occean
Have you tried cleaning all the contacts etc any bad earthing may cause the hum.

I have only had good experiences with Klisph Promedia's - I am sure there is a solution to your problem.

CD5/112/150/S5e's/smiling
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by GrizzlyHippo
Occean,

Thanks for the thought - unfortunately the Klipsch doesn't have an earth connection in the mains socket. I've believed from the beginning that this is the root of the problem.

Tom
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by Paul Hutchings
This sounds far too basic but does it do it with none of the sub-speaker/mac cables connected?

I have a labtec sub/satellite setup and occasionally it hums like mad until the cables are "tweaked", it was a signal thing and not a mains thing.

Paul
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by GrizzlyHippo
Paul, see my second post...

...but basically yes, it hums with just the mains cable in, and even if you move which room it's in and put it away from any other mains cables.

Tom
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by Adam Meredith
Perhaps you ought swap your new Apple for my Athlon PC - 6 fans and you can't even hear the telephone when it rings.
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by Dan M
Acoustic Energy Aego 2 - great sound for a micro/sub system.

Dan
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by matthewr
Adam -- I had the same problem and just fixed it with bits and pieces from www.quietpc.com.

Cost about £80 and worth every penny.

Matthew
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by garyi
The creature speakers are excellent fun and well priced. From the same people that created the isub and sticks package which is really the one you want:



These are the sticks, USB version, if I had the dosh right now I would get the standard version which has just come out as I do get problems with the USB version in games. However the USB version does allow you to for instance specify that itunes outputs via optical and system sounds via the sound sticks, which is very nice.

Other than that do not discount getting a cheap dac and optical out to it then onto an amp and what ever speakers you like.
Posted on: 02 November 2004 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by Adam Meredith:
my Athlon PC - 6 fans and you can't even hear the telephone when it rings.



Adam,

you need these:- Silenx quiet fans. The 80mm fans does 28CFM for only 14dBA.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne (at) Dial.Pipex.com. Put "Naim" in the title.
Posted on: 03 November 2004 by matthewr
In my experience case fans are actually not that much of a problem. The noisiest things by far in my PC were, in order, the CPU cooler and the power supply and the graphics card. After replacing those, the hard disks are noisier than my case fan.

Still I only have one large 120m case, if Adam has a bunch of small, fast case fans it might well be different.

Matthew

PS To answer the original question, nip down to your local second-hand electricals shop and buy, say, an old Rotel amp and some Rega Kytes. Will sound much better than any computer speakers and cost about the same.
Posted on: 03 November 2004 by GrizzlyHippo
Yes, I feel a new project coming on.

I have 2 KEF Coda 7's sat here which if combined with a dac and a cheap amp would give a nice system in the office.

Keep the suggestions coming though...

Tom
Posted on: 03 November 2004 by j8hn
"unfortunately the Klipsch doesn't have an earth connection in the mains socket"

That's definately your problem, however, do check the hum isn't mechanical eg a "buzzing" mains trannie.

From a hum point of view hifi & PCs don't mix with out considerable attention to problem of hum loops.