Short Summary Version: Have old audio system from 2000 and can't find a replacement that sounds the same / has the same clarity/definition, and Autism makes this an overwhelming ordeal, need help.
---------------------------------------------
I apologize in advance for the long post and if I by mistake chose the wrong section; I suffer from Autism and just so stressed and frustrated trying to figure this out:
I have a Philips FW-C10 Mini Hi-Fi System made in 2000 that I bought right around the same time. (Manual:
http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/f/fw-c10_22/fw-c10_22_dfu_eng.pdf)
*** PART I: THE SETUP ***
I've always had it hooked up as the audio speakers for whatever computer I had : I used a 3.5mm to 2-Male RCA adapter cable to connect it from my computer to the FW-C10's RCA Aux In port in the back of the unit. I then have set it to the Aux / external source option. In that time I've gone through three different computers and got the best cables for that setup since the unit only has a single RCA in, nothing else.
*** PART II: THE REASON FOR NEEDING SOMETHING ELSE ***
Over the nearly now 20 years I've had it, it's served me well, but there's been four areas of concern with it:
1. Hiss/white noise coming from the speakers when idle / silent. It's not super loud, but if you put your ears near the speakers, you'll hear it
EDIT: I've had this issue through all three different computers I've owned during that time and the different cables/connections I've used, or even if there's NO cable connecting the FW-C10 to anything else. See more on that below.
2. Now large and bulky main unit / amplifier unit (12.25”H x 10.5”W x 12.5”D) greatly limits options for new tv stands / entertainment centers because it won't fit a lot of them
3. Limited speaker cable length due to one end being built directly into the speakers and not being able to add more to increase placement options, further limiting where/how I can put the main unit and speakers, going with #2
4. External audio connection options limited to only analog (RCA) and speaker connection is the difficult bare speaker wire - spring/push terminal connectors
The most problematic / immediate issue I've been dealing with for years is #1 the hiss/static which I trie to remedy by trying the following:
1. Removed all external cords; just the FW-C10 unit plugged in with power and the speakers connected, nothing else. No connection to the computer at all. Nothing even connected to the AUX in line. And even with nothing connected setting having the source set to AUX has the hiss/white noise. It's been essentially the same since I originally bought it, plus the duplicate spare model I have also has the same issue and white noise level, so I fear it's related to the components that make up this unit.
EDIT: I did just try a test now plugging headphones into the FW-C10's headphone jack, with the same setup as above. The white noise is there, but it's definitely less noticeable.
2. With same setup, tested the CD, Tuner and Tape source settings. On those it's essentially non-existent. Going back to the AUX source- back to the louder hiss
3. Use different power outlets and surge protector options to make sure it's not electrical related. Same issue.
4. Try same-model spare speakers: Had bought some spares in case my old ones failed. Same issue.
5. Try different model speakers: Hiss is slightly less, but still more than it should be. Same issue.
6. Try a same-model spare power cord. Same issue.
7. Try a SECOND, same-model FW-C10: Yes, a number of years ago I bought a spare, exact same model FW-C10 in case my original failed. Exact same issue.
It was at that point I frustratingly confirmed it has to do with the FW-C10 main unit itself on the AUX source setting, and I was screwed with nothing else I know to try. Wanting to address issue #1 but also seeing this as an opportunity to take care of the other concerns too, I looked online for something to replace it with. Seeing as my unit was 20 years old and technology/audio quality has increased a bunch since then, I didn't even hesitate to think I couldn't find something that sounded at least the same as that. I was wrong.
*** PART III: PURCHASE ATTEMPTS & MISSING MIDs/HIGH-MIDs ***
After doing a lot of researching and looking around online, I chose an Edifier R1850DB. The lows and high highs were there, but something was off; the mid & mid-highs were missing; it was flat with no clarity/definition there. I attempted different cable connection options and bass/treble adjustments, but switching back and forth between that and my FW-C10, it was obvious it wasn't going to match what I was hearing from my FW-C10.
I thought it was just maybe a bad make/model and I needed to buy something better/different. I got/tested/went through the following:
1. Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073W1R4XQ/
2. Edifier R2000DB Active Bookshelf Speakers -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016PAWJYS
3. Edifier S1000DB Active Bookshelf Speakers -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CDIS6M0
4. Yamaha R-N303 Receiver -
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-R-N303BL-Stereo-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B074F246M9
5. Sharp XL-HF203B Hi-Fi Component Speaker System -
https://www.amazon.com/Sharp-XL-HF203B-Component-Speaker-Resolution/dp/B071HFZ5DL
6. Onkyo CS-265(B) CD Hi-Fi Mini System -
https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-265-Hi-Fi-System-Bluetooth/dp/B00N9QQVQY
I swear all of these have the same issue to my ears. I tried swapping the different systems, their connections, and their speakers. Same results: the mid & mid-highs are flat with no clarity/definition there, while I can hear those muted details back on my FW-C10. I hooked up my FW-C10's speakers to those systems; nope, sound still lacking on those systems. As a last resort test, I hooked up speakers from the new units to my FW-C10. I could hear the details, not quite the same as the FW-C10's own speakers, but they were there.
UPDATE: When I was/am trying with the newer systems, I am testing with ALL connection options: hdmi/optical, Bluetooth, Airtunes. They all have zero hiss/white noise (even connecting it using the analog RCA/3.5mm connection). Even plugging in $30 behind the ear headphones to the back of my new computer with the 3.5 mm jack, the connection is completely clear; no noise level. The problem, is the sound not sounding like what I've had for so long, and not having a way to adjust it.
*** PART IV: MYSTERY SOLVED(?), BUT MAIN PROBLEM STILL REMAINS ***
What makes my unit sound so different/better then? After all the testing and looking at the manual, I think I found it. It has a feature called called 'DSC (Digital Sound Control)' with it's explanation as "the DSC feature enables you to enjoy special sound effects that have preset equalizer settings (Optimal, Jazz, Rock or Techno), providing the best music reproduction.". For the entire time I've had this system, I've always had this activated and set to Optimal, which also activates a feature called Dynamic Bass Boost (DBB) which "enhances the bass response.". So for some 20 years, that's how I've always heard music.
This leads me to where I'm stuck at now: I know there's no way all these different systems can be bad, but at the same time, none of them sound as good with the mid & mid-highs clarity/definition that mine does. All I want is a system that will do that same quality of sound, but I can't find any. I need help and answers to things I don't know about:
- How are the mid & mid-highs clarity/definition missing from all of these?
- Am I not buying the right equipment?
- Is there anything I could do to at least stop the hiss/white noise from my current system
- Are there physical EQ units (not software based) you can add in the 'equipment chain' you can be buy that would allow me to try to replicate what I've been used to for 2 decades?
Seriously, any and ALL help regarding this would be incredibly appreciated. Audio is a huge part of my life and like I said I suffer from Autism and this has gotten me immensely filled with stress and anxiety because I just want to find a solution.
PS: If there are any other sites or forums people know where I could post this to for answers, please let me know.