One sub buzzes the other does NOT

[videopete]

I have a Velodyne DPS-12 when plugged in and turned on (no audio cable attached) - there is NO BUZZING.
I have a Paradigm PS-1000 when plugged in and turned on (no audio cable attached) - there is a very light constant buzzing sound.
Same outlet, same everything.
Could the Paradigm be MORE sensitive to ground issues....also, I hear of ground issues ALOT BUT both my subs don't have a ground wire at the end of the plug, only the positive and negative connections to the wall outlet.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[highfigh]

I have a Velodyne DPS-12 when plugged in and turned on (no audio cable attached) - there is NO BUZZING.
I have a Paradigm PS-1000 when plugged in and turned on (no audio cable attached) - there is a very light constant buzzing sound.
Same outlet, same everything.
Could the Paradigm be MORE sensitive to ground issues....also, I hear of ground issues ALOT BUT both my subs don't have a ground wire at the end of the plug, only the positive and negative connections to the wall outlet.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

If the audio cable isn't connected, you can't have a ground loop. How old is it, has it been zapped by high voltage and is it under warranty?

Rotate the cabinet of the one that buzzes 90 degrees as you look down at it. If the noise goes away, it's probably coming in from AC wiring and the amp isn't able to filter it or shield the circuit. If it doesn't go away, it could be from a light dimmer or a motor. If they have an input level control, make sure they're not turned up all the way. That's not a normal setting, anyway.

 

[videopete]

I tried turning it 90, 180, 270 but it still has that light buzzing....

I do have dimmer switches in the basement, and I tried with them ON and OFF but the light buzzing is always there once the sub turns on.

 

[highfigh]

I tried turning it 90, 180, 270 but it still has that light buzzing....

I do have dimmer switches in the basement, and I tried with them ON and OFF but the light buzzing is always there once the sub turns on.

Has it always done this? If so, I would contact the manufacturer.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I tried turning it 90, 180, 270 but it still has that light buzzing....

I do have dimmer switches in the basement, and I tried with them ON and OFF but the light buzzing is always there once the sub turns on.

Is this buzzing right at the sub or can you hear it from the listening position?

One more experiment: but two grounding RCA plugs from radio shack for both RCA inputs and see if that helps, or a very short RCA cable and the ends shorted.

 

[videopete]

The buzzing is at the sub itself, very faint near the amp section of the sub. If I sit in my seat, I probably won't hear anything but if I'm standing near the sub, I will hear it. I don't understand the last post concerning the short RCA cable....I don't have any audio cables going to the sub, it's just plugged into the wall. I've only had this sub a short time myself so I don't know if it's always done this or not.....
Everyone who uses a sub ==> do you hear any slight buzz sound or is it completely 100% silent when turned on?

 

[dapack69]

do you hear any slight buzz sound or is it completely 100% silent when turned on?

I have two subs and both of mine are quit.

I know you have nothing hooked up to it, but is it on standby mode or power on all the time? How do you have it set to activate?

 

[highfigh]

The buzzing is at the sub itself, very faint near the amp section of the sub. If I sit in my seat, I probably won't hear anything but if I'm standing near the sub, I will hear it. I don't understand the last post concerning the short RCA cable....I don't have any audio cables going to the sub, it's just plugged into the wall. I've only had this sub a short time myself so I don't know if it's always done this or not.....
Everyone who uses a sub ==> do you hear any slight buzz sound or is it completely 100% silent when turned on?

If the RCA plugs are inserted into the input jacks the center, which is the "positive" for the signal, will be shunted to ground and this indicates that the buzz may disappear when you connect it to the receiver/controller. If the buzz is loud enough to be heard at the listening location, it may have a problem but if it goes away when you plug the cable in, don't worry about it.

You can use a regular audio cable for this- just connect the pin to the ring with something made of metal.

 

[videopete]

I activate the sub with the RCA cable, then turn off the receiver and unplug the RCA cable...this leaves the sub in the ON position at which point I can hear the buzz.

 

[highfigh]

I activate the sub with the RCA cable, then turn off the receiver and unplug the RCA cable...this leaves the sub in the ON position at which point I can hear the buzz.

Are you unplugging the cable from the receiver or the sub? If you're unplugging it from the receiver, it's acting as an antenna and the one that's not buzzing may not be as sensitive to this. If you're unplugging from the sub, it's possible that it's not shielded/isolated as well but the problem is only when the input is unterminated.

 

[videopete]

Yes I unplug everything from the sub itself. Only the power cord remains and the sub remains on for several minutes. Even if I plug in the RCA cable from the receiver at this time, the buzz doesn't change at all....exactly the same. Like I mentioned, it's very light so I was wondering if these subs are all like that or just this one.

 

[highfigh]

Yes I unplug everything from the sub itself. Only the power cord remains and the sub remains on for several minutes. Even if I plug in the RCA cable from the receiver at this time, the buzz doesn't change at all....exactly the same. Like I mentioned, it's very light so I was wondering if these subs are all like that or just this one.

Hard to say. If it's 120Hz, it could be a bad solder joint after the rectifier or a bad solder joint on the ground plane. Maybe the manufacturer can be of help.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I activate the sub with the RCA cable, then turn off the receiver and unplug the RCA cable...this leaves the sub in the ON position at which point I can hear the buzz.

Then let me ask another question. Your sub should have a level control on it at the amp? Where is that set at for both subs? If it is too high, nothing plugged in, you may be amplifying noise. One reason I suggested that shorting plug to see if it still makes that noise or not. If it did, it may have an internal issue. AS to that short cable, that could have been used instead of buying that shorting plug, with the end shorted.

 

[videopete]

Even with the volume knob at 0, the buzz is still there. I put the volume on full, the buzz is still there, not any louder, same level.

 

[TLS Guy]

Even with the volume knob at 0, the buzz is still there. I put the volume on full, the buzz is still there, not any louder, same level.

The sub has a power supply problem. May be they all have, it would not surprise me, with the junk around these days. I auditioned a pair of their Studio 100s recently and what a mess!