How to stop humming in creative sbs 560 5.1 speakers?

[yoda313]

I bought this set of 5.1 creative labs sbs 560 speakers. I have the USB creative LIVE 5.1 usb external sound unit. I hooked everything up and I was able to get the surround sound working. BUT there's a loud and persistent hum in all the speakers. Even the rear speakers which are a few feet away from the computer and monitor.

I've tried unplugging the speakers and have just the sub connected but the sub still hummed. Also I couldn't get the sub to do anything, even moving the sub volume control was a no go.

Any ideas??? I sent an email to the creative tech support so I should hear something from them in a day or so.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

[offline]

Return and replace with another brand. Creative blows

[yoda313]

Any other options??? Thanks offline.

[jameshgross]

Humming like you describe is most often caused by incorrect grounding somewhere in the system.
Re-check all connections.
Make sure that the three wire electrical outlet is properly grounded.

[redwudz]

It sounds like a grounding problem or loose connection. Have you tried other USB ports or a different computer? The only other thing I can suggest is to go to Creative's website and look in their troubleshooting page. I saw some suggestions there for hum, static problems with external units.

The sub may not do much unless it has a low enough frequency signal. Mine is silent most of the time. (It's on my stereo system, but I do run computer sound out through it.)

[yoda313]

Well I don't think a different usb port will work because my older speakers worked without any hums using the exact same setup. The other speakers were 2 pairs of 2.0 speakers and a seperate sub/center channel that worked without hums.

Actually the supplied plug is a 12v dc two pronged plug. Should I try a different 12v plug adapter?

[dwill123]

Any other options??? Thanks offline.

Yes, return and replace with another brand. Creative blows. Honest, Creative stuff sucks the big one for sure. I myself have a Terratec Aureon 7.1 Universe soundcard and some Logitech® Z-5500 Digital speakers. They will blow the doors off of just about anything.

[redwudz]

It could be a bad adapter, if you have a different one, try it. Or a different outlet if it runs off the mains.

[richdvd]

Take them back and get another kind, like Logitech.

[waheed]

Ive own a Creative set too (Megaworks 6.1 650D). Unfortunately, most Creative sets do humm/hiss quite alot and its seems to be a common problem with creative. I would advise for a different set too.

[kimco52]

I had the same problem with earlier Creative speakers. They looked nice but had a hum. I replaced them and that did not work. I replaced the power adaptor. No solution, either. I went into the sub(where the electronics were) and added filter capacitors. That helped a lot but still had problems. Eventually put them on a shelf in the garage about 8 years ago and they are still there. There is no hum anymore. Of course, they have not been plugged in during that time or turned on, either.
I like my Altecs just fine.

[offline]

Sounds like an idea for a poll Yoda313

[ebenton]

It's obvious that your sound card is humming because it doesn't know the words. Find some lyrics and download them to your sound card.

[Bjs]

1: Update sound card driver's first .
2: Confirm the device works well on another pc first .
3: If it dosent produce the humming on second pc , it's a grounding fault .

4: If humming is produced , consider poor quality rf choke's used in unit ... replace unit .

If you are handy with a soldering iron and a quality volt meter , you can rectify the problem by replacing the rf filter capacitor's with know quality unit's , local electronic store should beable to source replacement component's easily ...

[yoda313]

I believe its a bad ac adapter. I tried a different 12v adapter and the hum wasn't there. But it didn't sound right on loud volumes because it wasn't a perfect match for the system.

I just emailed tech support asking if they can send a replacement adapter. I hope that solves the problem.

[yoda313]

Well I got the response from tech support earlier in the week. They suggested returning them and exchanging for another would be easier than a parts replacement order.

So I looked around for different speakers thinking there might be something better.

I took back the creative speakers this morning and bought the Logitech X530 5.1 speakers. I love them! No hum. Beautiful Bass. And a signal to noise ratio of 99db!!!

Defintely worth the price

Thanks for the help.

[offline]

Nothing Creative produces has anywhere near the same quality as Logitech's cheapest product. Well done Yoda! Another satisfied Creative customer - by returning the product!

[yoda313]

Wow I can't get over how much I like these Logitech x530 speakers

Listening to mp3's and cd's is just so much better. I love having the subwoofer working perfectly with any source. Great depth too.

I'd recommend these to anyone looking for high quality 5.1 speakers