z-5500 Hissing

Spootage · 11th August 2008, 12:22 AM

Sorry if this has been posted before, but I had a search and could not find anything...

Whenever I am listening to movies or music on my PC at a low volume the speakers make a noticeable 'hissing' sound. This is especially annoying when the speakers are turned down low at night.

Currently I am running the speakers through RCA to on-board sound on my motherboard. RCA is the only sound option I have, as the motherboard is a PM800-8237. I also have Windows XP, and obviously the Z-5500's.

Is this hissing sound just feedback from using onboard and would a decent soundcard be my solution?

Thanks for any help. Muchly appreciated.

eagleeyed · 11th August 2008, 10:19 AM

Have you tried plugging the speakers directly into a MP3 player or another computer quickly and seeing if they do the same thing?

Best to see if it is the speakers or the computer. No point upgrading the comp if that is not what is wrong. If you need a RCA to 3.5 converter, you can get a RCA Female x2 - Stereo 3.5mm Jack for I think even 2.90 from Dick Smith, if they still sell them.

My speakers do things weird aswell when they are physically set on a low volume (pick up wireless telephone calls and construction worker radios) so it could just be the speakers.

hope this helps.

l.lai · 11th August 2008, 10:48 AM

Yeah i'd say try connecting it up to another soure and seeing if it still does it. If not is the speaker system still under warrenty?

I got mine about a month ago and no problems as yet *fingers crossed*.

Spootage · 11th August 2008, 1:09 PM

Just disconnected the speakers from the PC and turned them up full. There was no sound at all, which means it may be the comp.

I should also note that the sound is more of a static type noise, rather than a hissing.

Cannot try an alternate source until tonight.

Menthu_Rae · 11th August 2008, 1:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spootage

Just disconnected the speakers from the PC and turned them up full. There was no sound at all, which means it may be the comp.

I should also note that the sound is more of a static type noise, rather than a hissing.

Cannot try an alternate source until tonight.

Make sure your input/recording sources in Control Panel > Sound > Volume > Advanced... are all muted.

If I had Line 2 enabled on my Audigy2 it'd get very quiet hissing through my Z-680s. With it muted, everything is silent.

Spootage · 11th August 2008, 7:11 PM

Have tried muting everything but this did not help.

Oh, and the speakers are definitely under warranty. They are only 1 month old.

aznpsuazn · 11th August 2008, 7:23 PM

Is your PC volume on MAX by any chance?

Spootage · 11th August 2008, 7:58 PM

PC volume is always on max. I make the changes using the remote.

Anyway, just tried a different PC. This one is also running windows XP with on-board sound only this time the sound is not there.

Looks like the issue is my own PC.

Guess I needs a sound card, as on-board looks to be stuffed.

samo · 11th August 2008, 8:04 PM

first things first, try turning down Windows volume to around 50%. Same goes in WMP as well and only use the volume control on the Z5500's to adjust volume levels

Spootage · 11th August 2008, 9:23 PM

Still happens and its just as loud.

Was dead silent using the other PC.

Whats a decent sound card these days?

samo · 11th August 2008, 9:28 PM

Asus Xonar DX ~$100

aznpsuazn · 12th August 2008, 12:09 AM

May i suggest that you reduce your PC volume a few notches down from max and test to see if the noise is gone.

-=HeAdHuNtEr=- · 12th August 2008, 2:56 PM

I notice this on mine, will try a few of these pointers tonight when I get home. Cheers.

11th August 2008, 12:22 AM	#1
Spootage Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Adelaide Posts: 891	z-5500 Hissing Sorry if this has been posted before, but I had a search and could not find anything... Whenever I am listening to movies or music on my PC at a low volume the speakers make a noticeable 'hissing' sound. This is especially annoying when the speakers are turned down low at night. Currently I am running the speakers through RCA to on-board sound on my motherboard. RCA is the only sound option I have, as the motherboard is a PM800-8237. I also have Windows XP, and obviously the Z-5500's. Is this hissing sound just feedback from using onboard and would a decent soundcard be my solution? Thanks for any help. Muchly appreciated. __________________ Successful trades: theyetti (x2), hobo-jo, goodguy82, bthomass, VippiN, khendar, jtsmorris, CoolerMaster, stiiky Photography: Nikon D60 w/18-55mm VR lens NINTENDO™ DS Lite Owners Club Member #0091

11th August 2008, 10:19 AM	#2
eagleeyed Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ferntree Gully, Victoria Posts: 30	Have you tried plugging the speakers directly into a MP3 player or another computer quickly and seeing if they do the same thing? Best to see if it is the speakers or the computer. No point upgrading the comp if that is not what is wrong. If you need a RCA to 3.5 converter, you can get a RCA Female x2 - Stereo 3.5mm Jack for I think even 2.90 from Dick Smith, if they still sell them. My speakers do things weird aswell when they are physically set on a low volume (pick up wireless telephone calls and construction worker radios) so it could just be the speakers. hope this helps. Last edited by eagleeyed; 11th August 2008 at 10:26 AM.

11th August 2008, 10:48 AM	#3
l.lai Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,264	Yeah i'd say try connecting it up to another soure and seeing if it still does it. If not is the speaker system still under warrenty? I got mine about a month ago and no problems as yet fingers crossed. __________________ Training at: VT1-Gym

11th August 2008, 1:09 PM	#4
Spootage Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Adelaide Posts: 891	Just disconnected the speakers from the PC and turned them up full. There was no sound at all, which means it may be the comp. I should also note that the sound is more of a static type noise, rather than a hissing. Cannot try an alternate source until tonight. __________________ Successful trades: theyetti (x2), hobo-jo, goodguy82, bthomass, VippiN, khendar, jtsmorris, CoolerMaster, stiiky Photography: Nikon D60 w/18-55mm VR lens NINTENDO™ DS Lite Owners Club Member #0091

11th August 2008, 7:11 PM	#6
Spootage Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Adelaide Posts: 891	Have tried muting everything but this did not help. Oh, and the speakers are definitely under warranty. They are only 1 month old. __________________ Successful trades: theyetti (x2), hobo-jo, goodguy82, bthomass, VippiN, khendar, jtsmorris, CoolerMaster, stiiky Photography: Nikon D60 w/18-55mm VR lens NINTENDO™ DS Lite Owners Club Member #0091

11th August 2008, 7:23 PM	#7
aznpsuazn Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,319	Is your PC volume on MAX by any chance?

11th August 2008, 7:58 PM	#8
Spootage Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Adelaide Posts: 891	PC volume is always on max. I make the changes using the remote. Anyway, just tried a different PC. This one is also running windows XP with on-board sound only this time the sound is not there. Looks like the issue is my own PC. Guess I needs a sound card, as on-board looks to be stuffed. __________________ Successful trades: theyetti (x2), hobo-jo, goodguy82, bthomass, VippiN, khendar, jtsmorris, CoolerMaster, stiiky Photography: Nikon D60 w/18-55mm VR lens NINTENDO™ DS Lite Owners Club Member #0091

11th August 2008, 8:04 PM	#9
samo Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 968	first things first, try turning down Windows volume to around 50%. Same goes in WMP as well and only use the volume control on the Z5500's to adjust volume levels

11th August 2008, 9:23 PM	#10
Spootage Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Adelaide Posts: 891	Still happens and its just as loud. Was dead silent using the other PC. Whats a decent sound card these days? __________________ Successful trades: theyetti (x2), hobo-jo, goodguy82, bthomass, VippiN, khendar, jtsmorris, CoolerMaster, stiiky Photography: Nikon D60 w/18-55mm VR lens NINTENDO™ DS Lite Owners Club Member #0091

11th August 2008, 9:28 PM	#11
samo Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 968	Asus Xonar DX ~$100

12th August 2008, 12:09 AM	#12
aznpsuazn Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,319	May i suggest that you reduce your PC volume a few notches down from max and test to see if the noise is gone.

12th August 2008, 2:56 PM	#13
-=HeAdHuNtEr=- Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Adelaide, SA Posts: 649	I notice this on mine, will try a few of these pointers tonight when I get home. Cheers. __________________ i7 2600K \| GTX580 \| 16GB Kingston DDR3 \| 128GB SanDisk SSD