Can any one dissect this audio problem for me?

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
I'm getting a very bad buzzing sound as well as loud radio reception on my subwoofer when I have the volume turned all the way down.

When I plug my DVD player coax digital in, it gets very bad. When it is unplugged, the sub buzzes a little but not too much.

I have tried different cables including expensive component cables but I still get the same result. I have also tried using different electrical outlets to the same result. The sub is located very close to the receiver so the connectors are at most 6' long.

Any ideas?

I'll probably have to switch to optical if this doesn't get resolved however the sub still buzzes though not as badly even disconnected from the DVD.
 

xchangx

Golden Member
Mar 23, 2000
1,692
1
71
It may be the internal connection of the sub output inside the amp, the buzzing sounds like a grounding issue
 

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
Try attaching a fat ground wire from a known good ground to the outside of the coax. If that goes away, it's definately a grounding issue.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
I thought it might be a grounding issue too but I've tried plugging the 3 prong plug into the wall outlet to the same result. Should the buzzing get even worse if you plug a DVD player in? It is not connected to the sub but to the receiver. When I unplug the sub from the receiver, it stops buzzing. It is only the sub though. The other speakers do not buzz.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Try attaching a fat ground wire from a known good ground to the outside of the coax. If that goes away, it's definately a grounding issue.

I will try that.
 

davestar

Golden Member
Oct 21, 2001
1,787
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two things to try:

1) get a "cheater plug" from home depot. it accepts a 3-prong plug and has 2-prongs out. it serves to float the sub amp's ground that will minimize 60 Hz hum.

2) connect a wire between the chassis of your reciever and the chassis of the plate amp on your sub. this also give the two components the same reference ground, reducing the hum.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
Originally posted by: davestar
two things to try:

1) get a "cheater plug" from home depot. it accepts a 3-prong plug and has 2-prongs out. it serves to float the sub amp's ground that will minimize 60 Hz hum.

2) connect a wire between the chassis of your reciever and the chassis of the plate amp on your sub. this also give the two components the same reference ground, reducing the hum.

Thanks.

I've tried the 3 prong plug and grounded the wire to the receiver chassis but I think the buzzing actually got worse. I will try them again though.
 

yukichigai

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2003
6,404
0
76
Originally posted by: Doggiedog
I've tried the 3 prong plug and grounded the wire to the receiver chassis but I think the buzzing actually got worse. I will try them again though.
Make sure everything you hook up to the receiver is grounded to the same thing. Even something entirely unrelated, like a VCR or whatnot, could be causing the problem.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
Originally posted by: LeadMagnet
try a cheap - Toshlink optical cable (if thats an option)

Thats what I plan on doing but I don't think it will solve the minor buzzing issue.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
Originally posted by: yukichigai
Originally posted by: Doggiedog
I've tried the 3 prong plug and grounded the wire to the receiver chassis but I think the buzzing actually got worse. I will try them again though.
Make sure everything you hook up to the receiver is grounded to the same thing. Even something entirely unrelated, like a VCR or whatnot, could be causing the problem.

I will look into it.

It's my new FPJ setup and things are plugged everywhere. Some things are plugged into the receiver, others in the wall. I'm not sure if I can hook my FPJ to the same outlet as the receiver though since it is kind of far away.
 

yukichigai

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2003
6,404
0
76
Originally posted by: Doggiedog
It's my new FPJ setup and things are plugged everywhere. Some things are plugged into the receiver, others in the wall. I'm not sure if I can hook my FPJ to the same outlet as the receiver though since it is kind of far away.
At least get some wire and interconnect the chassises. (Chassi? Chassai? Whatever) That should help, though I do know certain pieces of equipment do not have their exteriors grounded. You'll have to play it by ear.

He he, I made a pun. :D
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
Originally posted by: ableach33
maybe you're getting noise from any of the power cords near the speaker wires?

I don't think so because the problem gets worse when I plug in my DVD player. The sub isn't even connected via speaker wire. It's connected by composite cable.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
Originally posted by: myusername
Disconnect the cable TV line from whatever it is connected to.

Its not connected to any cable TV line. I only have a DVD plugged into the stereo. The DVD also connects to my front projector.