Strange noise from new headphones

[koberulz]

Just got new headphones, and they emit a noise in the background pretty much constantly. It adjusts with the volume knob, but it's noticeable at a reasonable volume. Managed to record it with the attached microphone (plus a volume-boost in Audacity). The previous pair never did this.

[video.baba]

Wow, takes me back to the dial-up modem days........

[pandy]

I assume wireless headphones, you should invest money in decent brand wired headphones - wireless headphones are bad idea.

[mike20021969]

What brand and model are they?

[koberulz]

They're not wireless. They're not expensive either, about $25. Had a similar-priced pair previously, though, without this issue.

Was really bad when I used the earbuds from my phone just so I had a way of getting audio until I could get new headphones, though.

http://geckogear.com/gecko-pro-headset-with-mic/

[smrpix]

I had this a long time ago. It's RF interference from either the computer itself, a speaker or possibly a monitor. Try to take note of what the computer is doing when you hear it.

If you have another audio output on your system see if that makes a difference. Otherwise, this is a case where a good, shielded cable can help.

[koberulz]

It's constant from the front output, absent on the back output. But the back output is too far away for the cable.

[mike20021969]

Do you hear the noise when they're connected to another source e.g. an mp3 player?

[koberulz]

Site is slow, edited above post while you were posting. Fine from the rear output. Haven't tried any other device but I figure that answers the question well enough.

[aedipuss]

you can try moving the wires that go from the motherboard to the front connector. re-route them away from as much stuff as you can and check them for missing insulation. they are a pair of thin un-shielded easily broken wires that could be picking up rf interference.

[smrpix]

It's constant from the front output, absent on the back output. But the back output is too far away for the cable.

Get a decent, shielded extension.

[pandy]

Disable S/PDIF output - this may be source for your problem - nowadays all audio connections are more or less virtual - they can be input/output analog/digital - seem that on front jack some digital transmission going...
btw still think that buying decent brand wired headphones is one of best investments.

[johnmeyer]

1. Does it make this noise when connected to an iPod or similar device?

2. Is it possible that the mic and headphone connectors have been reversed?

[mike20021969]

1. Does it make this noise when connected to an iPod or similar device?

2. Is it possible that the mic and headphone connectors have been reversed?

You didn't read the rest of the thread before replying then?!

[johnmeyer]

1. Does it make this noise when connected to an iPod or similar device?

2. Is it possible that the mic and headphone connectors have been reversed?

You didn't read the rest of the thread before replying then?!

Yes, actually I did. For my first point that you quoted above the OP said (in post #9): "Haven't tried any other device." He did say that he had no problem with the "rear output," but it wasn't clear to me what he meant by that. In particular, if it gets clear sound from the rear output then it would seem that the headphones are just fine and the problem is his source, so what is the point of he post which clearly implies that he thinks he has a problem with the new headphones? Therefore, I figured the "rear output" meant something else.

For #2 in my quote above, he never made any statement. Since this appears to be a headset with a mic, using the wrong connectors could cause an issue.

But thank you for auditing my posts. It is nice to see that someone cares!

[turk690]

It's constant from the front output, absent on the back output. But the back output is too far away for the cable.

This behaviour is typical of many computers. Back output connectors are soldered directly to the main board so noise pick-up is largely avoided. Front connectors use cables that are plugged to the audio headers on the main board. These cables are often poorly shielded and instead of being kept close to the chassis are often strung across the main board and/or PSU, both of which generate a lot of noise that is then picked up. I almost exclusively avoid using the front audio connectors because of this. For some who must, I cut off/unsolder the existing wretched cables. Then I use 3mm RG-58A/U in their place, looped with RF-suppression ferric beads or donuts near both ends and in the middle, and snake the cables inside the case such that it is always lying against a chassis wall. This is the only approach I've tried that snuffed the noise out from the front jacks.
Another approach is to avoid any analogue audio from the main board (such as what these front and back connectors in question are). Most current monitors have HDMI or DP inputs and headphone outputs. Appropriate audio drivers can route audio to the HDMI or DP output, which can be chosen as the default audio device. D/A audio conversion then takes place in the monitor, (which may or may not introduce noise of its own in the process. Gasp!) output through its speakers or connected headphones.

[johnmeyer]

As I re-read the posts about front & back connectors, I suddenly remembered something from over a decade ago where I got similar noise to what you posted. To cut to the chase, the noise was feeding in from the audio connector on my CD-ROM. My solution was to open up the audio mixer and mute everything. Then, un-mute only the source that is providing the audio you want to listen to. If you don't hear the hiss, then unmute one source at a time until you find the one that is causing the hiss.

This should only take you a few seconds, so if it doesn't work, you won't have wasted much time.

[koberulz]

[QUOTE=johnmeyer;2511406]

For my first point that you quoted above the OP said (in post #9): "Haven't tried any other device."

The lack of an issue with the rear output eliminates the headphones as culprits, so there's no need to try another device.

He did say that he had no problem with the "rear output," but it wasn't clear to me what he meant by that.

What isn't clear?

In particular, if it gets clear sound from the rear output then it would seem that the headphones are just fine and the problem is his source, so what is the point of he post which clearly implies that he thinks he has a problem with the new headphones? Therefore, I figured the "rear output" meant something else.

The problem isn't the 'source', because there is no source. The sound is present with no audio being played at all.

The post about the rear output was literally in response to a post suggesting I try another output. It was made after I created this thread. Obviously.

[mike20021969]

For my first point that you quoted above the OP said (in post #9): "Haven't tried any other device."

I swear I didn't say that

[johnmeyer]

[QUOTE=koberulz;2511432]

For my first point that you quoted above the OP said (in post #9): "Haven't tried any other device."

The lack of an issue with the rear output eliminates the headphones as culprits, so there's no need to try another device.

He did say that he had no problem with the "rear output," but it wasn't clear to me what he meant by that.

What isn't clear?

In particular, if it gets clear sound from the rear output then it would seem that the headphones are just fine and the problem is his source, so what is the point of he post which clearly implies that he thinks he has a problem with the new headphones? Therefore, I figured the "rear output" meant something else.

The problem isn't the 'source', because there is no source. The sound is present with no audio being played at all.

The post about the rear output was literally in response to a post suggesting I try another output. It was made after I created this thread. Obviously.

I truly am sorry I tried to help. I won't make that mistake again. Good luck fixing your problem.

[amaipaipai]

This is coming from your computer and power supply. Notice that if you move your mouse or open any program there are noises that changes and others that don't.
Your problems are related with this ratter than this, that's why shielding won't do anything for you.

I had issues like that before designing a analog DSP and there is not a easy solution for this.
First of all, take your headphone and try it out at your friends computer to see if it's noisy there, if it is, or the headphone sensitivity is too high or get a better one in the same price range.

Suppose you still have this issue with a well know brand, you can try get a better power supply, note that if your power supply is overloaded, this kind of noise will increase significantly, so calculate the proper PS for your computer.[1][2]

After all this, if you still can hear a little noise at night when everything is quiet, you need a sound card with his own power supply or a external USB DAC. I have the Asus Essence STX II, I don't hear any noise at all with it.

[Cornucopia]

For someone who seems to need a lot of hand-holding, it isn't smart to smack the helping hands.

Scott

[pandy]

The sound is present with no audio being played at all.

But jack is not unconnected i.e. floating - so source is connected - in your case this is pretty obvious - check your mixer settings as i wrote before - i bet that with low impedance headphones (and most of them is 32 Ohm i.e. low impedance) cables related coupling is not your problem and mentioned by many shielding may improve/reduce effect of capacitative coupling but not (el.)magnetic coupling. Sound of noise is clear - this is packet type transmission where packets are in very regular intervals. As you not providing useful details then you must solve problem on your own.