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Noisy 3.5mm output

post #1 of 6
2/21/11 at 11:21am
Thread Starter 

Hi

I travel a lot and I'm trying to get a portable system that I can carry with laptop without needing spinal surgery. Problem is that whichever set of speakers I use I am still getting a lot of noise from the 3.5mm out on the laptop - crackles, hiss and pops, possible alien communications and such - any ideas how to quiet down the output?

I have also tried some of the new usb out speakers, but stil get a level of noise.

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post #2 of 6
2/21/11 at 2:06pm

The cables connecting your speakers to each other and the laptop and what not are picking up interference, most likely.

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post #3 of 6
2/22/11 at 11:49pm

If you are getting the same noise from both the headphone jack and the usb speakers, then the problem is your computer. Try running off battery power. If that gets rid of the noise, then it's a power or ground loop problem. If it still makes that noise running off battery, something is really wrong.

 

One quick general fix to try is to use a ground loop isolator (about $10 from radio shack which is essentially a pair of RCA interconnects with a small cylinder in the middle somewhere which acts as a filter).

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post #4 of 6
2/23/11 at 3:24pm

Some laptops have poor grounding altogether, I've noticed.  =\

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post #5 of 6
2/25/11 at 4:31am
Thread Starter 

Thanks guys - noise is reduced when I go battery only, but not eliminated, so I will try the ground loop isolator if I can fin anyone in the UK that sells one.

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post #6 of 6
2/25/11 at 12:22pm

Most general electric parts store or music stores should carry them.

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