Buzz from tweeters while playing low frequencies!?

[dertuman]

Hi, first of all let me say I´m new to this forum. I searched the forum for a similar problem but I couldn´t find anything. I read the article about ground loops, but that doesn't seem to be my problem. So here's my setup:

I have an Onkyo Txnr509 receiver. It is connected to my sound card via a 3.5mm cable to RCA, to a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE. I have it connected to bd/dvd on the receiver (although I have switched it from aux and other inputs but the problem persists). I have the receiver connected by quite thick speaker wires, to a pair of Behringer b2030p's. No subwoofer. So here's my problem.
When I play a low frequency (say 10hz to 100hz) for example ableton live's frequency tester, I hear a hizz that comes out of the tweeters. This happens on both speakers, and other speakers iv'e tried. It's really annoying, because I listen to a lot of electronic music with especially low frequencies, and the tweeters make this hizzy sound! What do you think the source of my problem is? Is it the sound card? Or maybe I need to connect the source of sound via Optical Cable? Also, I took apart one of the speakers, and connected a 10microfarad capacitor in series on one of the tweeters inside the speakers, but there is absolutely no difference in sound.

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi, first of all let me say I´m new to this forum. I searched the forum for a similar problem but I couldn´t find anything. I read the article about ground loops, but that doesn't seem to be my problem. So here's my setup:

I have an Onkyo Txnr509 receiver. It is connected to my sound card via a 3.5mm cable to RCA, to a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE. I have it connected to bd/dvd on the receiver (although I have switched it from aux and other inputs but the problem persists). I have the receiver connected by quite thick speaker wires, to a pair of Behringer b2030p's. No subwoofer. So here's my problem.
When I play a low frequency (say 10hz to 100hz) for example ableton live's frequency tester, I hear a hizz that comes out of the tweeters. This happens on both speakers, and other speakers iv'e tried. It's really annoying, because I listen to a lot of electronic music with especially low frequencies, and the tweeters make this hizzy sound! What do you think the source of my problem is? Is it the sound card? Or maybe I need to connect the source of sound via Optical Cable? Also, I took apart one of the speakers, and connected a 10microfarad capacitor in series on one of the tweeters inside the speakers, but there is absolutely no difference in sound.

Thanks a lot for your help.

Somewhere there is inter modulation distortion. I would try and connect your sound card to another source of amplification and see if it is present or not.

The problem could be the sound card, the receiver or something inherent in Abelton live.

I recently went to a demonstration of Abelton Live. I guess I was in a minority of one, but I thought Abelton was a totally dreadful piece of work and gave the company rep a real ear full.

My guess is that this is something being generated by Abelton.

See if you can lay your hands on a signal generator and see if you still have the problem.

 

[dertuman]

Thanks for the reply. I doubt it is a problem with ableton, because I can also hear the buzz when I listen very carefully to music on the computer. Even when using FlAC files, or other high quality formats. It could be the sound card however, so I will try connecting it to some other source and see what happens. If it is the sound card, which one would you recommend for the best quality music under a budget say of 150 dollars? Thanks for the help!

 

[slipperybidness]

Thanks for the reply. I doubt it is a problem with ableton, because I can also hear the buzz when I listen very carefully to music on the computer. Even when using FlAC files, or other high quality formats. It could be the sound card however, so I will try connecting it to some other source and see what happens. If it is the sound card, which one would you recommend for the best quality music under a budget say of 150 dollars? Thanks for the help!

Read up on the asus xonars. Essence or probably even the DG.

I would also consider a DAC (basically an external soundcard). Not really many in the $150 range, but you could get Emotiva XDA-1 for $200.

 

[dertuman]

Hey!!! I disconnected the 3.5mm that was connected to my sound card and connected it to my galaxy s2 (not even good sound), and ran a frequency sweep test, the low frequencies played fine without the tweeter doing anything! So yes, you were right, the problem was my sound card. It's a a sh#$t sound card anyway, so I will be investigating which one suits me best. Thanks a lot!

 

[TLS Guy]

Hey!!! I disconnected the 3.5mm that was connected to my sound card and connected it to my galaxy s2 (not even good sound), and ran a frequency sweep test, the low frequencies played fine without the tweeter doing anything! So yes, you were right, the problem was my sound card. It's a a sh#$t sound card anyway, so I will be investigating which one suits me best. Thanks a lot!

If you have paid for Abelton, then your application gets into the critical category. In that case sound cards within the computer are not recommended.

I use RME Fireface 800, but that is well out of your budget range.