PROBLEM: Constant noise in my new S4's

[bl33d]

My problem is that on all devices, except an ipod i tested, there is this constant "humming" noise that you sometimes find on really cheap headphones. English is not my first language but I hope you understand what I mean when i say constant "humming" noise.

This product is not supposed to be apple only right? So is this how it is or is there something wrong with my headphones? [:^)]

[Kbuzbee]

I've had that, as you say, with cheap headphones or devices. Never with my Klipsch. Mine are X5s but I would not expect this with S4s either. Are they new? What devices do you hear the "hum"? I'd call Klipsch or your retailer and discuss the problem.

Ken

[bl33d]

Yes, they are brand new. I've tested them on my Nexus One, my pc and on an iphone.

As soon as i plug them in to my pc I get noise even on no volume at all. I hope you did not missunderstand my description of the sound. Found a better way to describe it: it's like cranking the volume on a pair of speakers way up without any music playing, it's that kind of constant noise.

[Kbuzbee]

My guess (and it's only that) is this is a signal your device is generating. I think (maybe?) your S4s are more sensitive and able to reproduce it. Whether the hum is some sort of feedback loop or what, I can't say. The only way I could think of to test this wool be to connect a O-scope to the out put and see if you can measure the frequency and amplitude of the wave being generated. Assuming you find this to be the case, you have, as I see it, three options:

1. Use less sensitive headphones (with corresponding loss of response)

2. Use and inline noise filter. This would impact your playback as well but if you can dial in a specific frequency, you could minimize the impact.

3. Only use playback devices that don't generate this signal. (you mentioned you iPod doesn't?)

Good luck,

Post what you find out.

Ken

Cavet -I'm not an audio engineer and the folks who frequent this forum may have far better ideas as to what's going on.....

[Amy]

If they have a hum on all the devices you mentioned, I would say there is likely a problem with them. Are you able to exchange them at the place of purchase?

If you need help, please contact us at support@klipsch.com or 800-Klipsch.

Thanks!

[Kbuzbee]

But Amy, why would they NOT hum on an iPod if the S4s are defective? That was what I didn't understand....

[bl33d]

Unfortunately I don't have access to an oscilloscope. I mean, sure it's possible that there is something going on there. But at the same time, I've got Sennheiser HD595's connected to the same computer and those are $180 headphones. You would think that they are more sensitive than the S4's, but I don't know.

Anyway I mailed the support earlier today but have yet to hear from them. I have to agree with Amy though. It feels like something must be wrong with mine. I can't find anyone else with this problem and I highly doubt that everybody is using the S4's with only apple products hehe.

[Kbuzbee]

As I said in my first post, contacting Klipsch would be my first try. Still, there's something that doesn't make sense to me. Please do post the resolution.

Ken

[Amy]

I'm sorry, I thought he said they hum on all devices. If they are only humming on a certain device, then the noise is coming from that device.

[Kbuzbee]

According to OP they are humming on several devices, but not on his iPod....

Ken

[BLSamuel]

As soon as i plug them in to my pc I get noise even on no volume at all. I hope you did not missunderstand my description of the sound. Found a better way to describe it: it's like cranking the volume on a pair of speakers way up without any music playing, it's that kind of constant noise

If they work fine on iPod or iPhone then I'd think the problem is in the sources. Not uncommon for a pc soundcard to be noisy.

I would describe that sound more as hiss. I've very little experience with the S4 but a lot with Custom 2 (RIP) and Image X10 and with both I can hear a lot of things that I couldn't with my Grado SR60's I've had for years. More things in the music and any noise from the source. For example, when my Creative Labs zen xTra battery is low I can hear hiss through the Custom 2 and Image X10 that just didn't exist with the Grado SR60. It's low level and not noticeable with music playing but it is there.

I would not be surprised if you'll also hear more in the music and noise such as hiss from your souce with the S4 than (most) good over the ear headphones costing 2 to 3 times as much?. I suspect that type of noise is somewhat filtered out by the distance an over the ear headphone is from the ear canal compared to the S4 where the sound is in year ear canal? Maybe Professor Thump can enlighten us?

Try other high quality players if you can.

If it's more of a hum (mmmmmmmmmmmm) than hiss (sssssssssssssssss) then maybe it's hum getting into your PC and Nexus One if they're connected to a wall outlet? (I have no idea what a Nexus One is)

[bl33d]

Yeah a hiss is probably a better way to describe it. After reading up more on audio in general it seems (as you all have said now) that the problem must be the source. I could not in my wildest dreams believe that the Nexus One would have this, so that clouded my judgement a lot. Just for reference I tried them hooked up to a Marantz receiver and they had little to no "hissing" at all.

The theory that in ear is more sensitive to hiss from the source seems to make sense for the most part. But then does this apply to all higher end models also or can there be a big difference on what they pick up or are "shielded" from?

PS. Nexus One is Googles first phone. (http://www.google.com/phone)