Humming in speakers

[dovplay]

<font color='#000000'>Ok, I have a speaker question.

Since my budget is limited, and I live in a NYC apartment, I did not feel the need to throw out thousands of dollars for a 5.1 system. &nbsp;I have a Pioneer VSX D710S receiver and a relatively inexpensive theatre surround set of bookshelf speakers from Yamaha (NS-P220). &nbsp;Now the sound quality is fine by my standards, especially in a 20x13 foot room with neighbors who complain when I turn it up too much anyways. &nbsp;My question is why the speakers have an electical hum as the volume is turned up. When the volume level of the TV is low, it's definitely an audible hum. &nbsp;It's not a problem, more of an annoyance. &nbsp;Can this be fixed? &nbsp;Someone told me it's a problem with the surge protector but I have everything already plugged into one so I don't know if I believe that. &nbsp;

Any ideas?</font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>If your receiver has a three prong plug, go to your local Radio Shack &amp; get a plug reducer, making the three prong a two prong. This should solve your problem at the lowest cost. The problem could be a poor quality audio connection or interference from tv.</font>

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Sounds like you have a ground loop somewhere in your system. &nbsp;Try removing power first from your subwoofer, then TV, then cable box to figure out where it is coming from. &nbsp;

You may wish to review:
Bulletproofing Your System From Interference (http://audioholics.com/techtips/setup/interconnects/bulletproofing.php)</font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>Also would probably be a good idea to pick-up new audio cables if you feel yours might be inferior.</font>

[dovplay]

<font color='#000000'>Thanks for the replies so far. &nbsp;As far as the two prong/three prong plug, my receiver already has a two prong plug. &nbsp;I have the receiver receiving digital inputs from my cable box and toshiba DVD player. &nbsp;The hum is the same for both devices. &nbsp;As for a ground loop problem, I have no idea what that means really. &nbsp;And I just replaced the cables. &nbsp;They're not gold plated or anything but they're decent.</font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>What about plug on tv or cable box?</font>

[dovplay]

<font color='#000000'>Zumbo, the plug on the TV is three prong. &nbsp;The plug on the cable is 2 prong. &nbsp;That can really be the cause of the hum?</font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>You can try to trace problem. Hook the dvd up by itself, check. Then hook-up the cable box, without tv, and check sound. Then tv. This is what I did &amp; found it was the cable(coax) from wall. It was a ground loop problem, and like you, I have no idea what that is. The plug reducer solved the problem. I guess this eliminates the ground loop by eliminating the ground prong on the power cord. It was the sub power cord that I put the reducer on!</font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>I bet that will get it! <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'></font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>If you are using a surge protector &amp; it has a three prong plug, well that could be picking up the interference also. My receivers manual stated to plug into WALL outlet!</font>

[dovplay]

<font color='#000000'>Thanks for the tips Zumbo, I'll definitely try that out. &nbsp;And if I remember correctly, the surge protector is three prong.</font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>You might try eliminating it first. Just for a test. But if you put a plug reducer on the surge protector, it is useless.</font>

<font color='#000000'>Also, if anyone else has any thoughts on the issue...feel free to respond!

Thanks.</font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>dovplay, I would think that other people might respond if Gene &amp; I have not solved your problem or if they felt we were wrong! Have you tried any of our recommendations? <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'></font>

[dovplay]

<font color='#000000'>I will try them tomorrow night or this weekend. &nbsp;Going drinking tonight!</font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>Sorry, I can't help with the drinking problem due to the fact I am drug &amp; alcohol free. It is a fine place to be! <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'></font>

[jrz1]

<font color='#000000'>Equipment is grounded for a reason and I'd leave it that way.

Hum is probably catv line causing ground loop. &nbsp;check out this for explanation:

http://www.jensen-transformers.com/an/ts_guide.pdf

I have ordered a Holland Electronics CATV isolater from cencom94.com for about $12. &nbsp;Hasn't arrived yet so I don't know if it will work but did hear good things on another forum.

http://www.hollandelectronics.com/catalog/25.pdf</font>

[BroonsBane]

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>zumbo : <font color='#000000'>Sorry, I can't help with the drinking problem due to the fact I am drug &amp; alcohol free. It is a fine place to be! <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'></font>
<font color='#000000'>Hey Zumbo...are you a friend of Bill W by any chance??</font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>jrz1, Thanks so much for that link. I ordered one of those bad boys. A guy that installs home theater gave me the tip to use a plug reducer. I had determined that it was my cable, but he suggested to use the reducer. It worked, so I forgot about it!

Thanks again for the link, I hope it works! <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'></font>

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>BroonsBane, I quit drinking, druging, and smoking! Now I have no friends! <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':laugh:'>

Oh well, all I need is my wonderful *wife! <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'></font>

[BroonsBane]

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>zumbo : <font color='#000000'>BroonsBane, I quit drinking &amp; druging! Now I have no friends! <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':laugh:'>

Oh well, all I need is my wonderful &nbsp;wife! <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'></font>
<font color='#000000'><img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':laugh:'> I think you and I are living parallel lives!</font>