ATH-AD2000 need ground-power?

[alexpea]

Hi
I moved in to a new apartment where the power-outlets aren't grounded. (Don't know exactly how to explain in english) So, when I put my ATH-AD2000's on, there are some electrical sounds coming out of the cups when I move my head. If I just sit still, nothing happens. But as soon as movement is implented, the cups sparks up with electrical vibes, and I get small amounts of shock on my ears.

This didn't happen with my Grado SR-60's.

Is it the power-outlets which are causing the problem? Cuz I really hope there's nothing wrong with my AD2000's...

Power-outlet--> PC
Power-outlet--> External soundcard--> Headphones

 

[alexpea]

?

 

[MaloS]

I think you need to ground your PC chassis.

 

[ericj]

That noise comes from your source or amp

 

[alexpea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif That noise comes from your source or amp

I highly doubt it. I tried it on my amplifier as well, and the same thing happened. The thing is, if I sit still then everything is fine. But as soon as I move my head, static sounds and magnetic shocks are implented into my ears. And as I said, the SR60 doesn't suffer from it !!

Logic thinking makes me believe that the electrical circuit is trying to find ground through the headphones&me and into the ground.

 

[MaloS]

No, thats not the issue. Generally it seems that your apartment is very inductive due to lack of grounding. Subsequently somehow the AD2000 is more sensitive as a current loop than your Grados, making you actually get shocked with AD2000 on your head.

 

[tazzmissionx]

First, if your electrical outlet is not grounded or wired properly, get that fixed pronto, and no, a surge protector will not help because they function properly solely because of a properly wired/grounded outlet.

You mentioned you are getting small shocks on your ears, that is definitly a grounding issue, would not be surprised if PC is the culprit, If you have your pc located on carpet, get it off the carpet by relocating it or have something inbetween the pc and carpet such as wood or better yet some sort of ESD mat.

 

[Mik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexpea /img/forum/go_quote.gif I highly doubt it. I tried it on my amplifier as well, and the same thing happened. The thing is, if I sit still then everything is fine. But as soon as I move my head, static sounds and magnetic shocks are implented into my ears. And as I said, the SR60 doesn't suffer from it !! Logic thinking makes me believe that the electrical circuit is trying to find ground through the headphones&me and into the ground.

I had the exact same problem with my Audio-Technica A900 and A1000 headphones and eventually sold them partly because of it. It was worst when I stood up and tried to walk around with them on. Instant-shock in the ear every time. None of the Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, Sony, or Koss headphones that I've tried over the years have had any problems like that.

My house is quite old and the wiring is very bad. Most outlets in my house aren't grounded and the ones that are aren't grounded very well. I'll eventually rewire my house but it's quite a big job and I don't have the time right now. If you're in the same situation I was in, I'd recommend selling the AT's and getting some Beyerdynamic DT880 headphones instead. I've been very happy since I made the switch.

 

[jirams]

Get out of that building pronto and keep your hands in your pockets until outside!

Ungrounded mains outlets can be lethal!

 

[ericj]

I am intrigued by your ideas, and i would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Seriously though. I have an A900 and while i haven't spent a lot of time on it, I too live in an old house with bad wiring. Old as in ceramic tubes & knobs.

I haven't experienced any shocks.

I am going to bet that your outlets are miswired, as in hot / neutral swapped. I would also venture to guess that you have some 3-prong outlets without a real ground wire on the ground prong, or worse yet, some boob put neutral on it.

Got any exposed plumbing? In a pinch, you can get a 3-prong to 2-prong adapter and run a wire from the ground terminal on the adapter to any metal plumbing that goes into the ground outside your house.

Ideally, you'd run it to a grounding rod that you'd hammered into the ground, but, the water main works in a pinch, for temporary installations at least.

So, i suggest that you get some 14awg stranded copper wire and an adapter, and an outlet tester. To tell the truth i'm not sure if the outlet tester will tell you if hot/neutral are swapped if the ground is open, but it might anyway.

Edit: And while you're at the hardware store, pick up a battery powered fluorescent lantern if you don't have one already, because you'll need to turn the power off at the breaker box to rewire your outlets if they have hot / neutral swapped.

Seriously there were some outlets in my house wired so wrong that standing on the concrete of the basement floor and touching the ground terminal made my feet tingle. What the heck is up with THAT?

 

[Mher6]

What are you sitting on (are your feet planted on carpet? or some other flooring material).

 

[alexpea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mik /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had the exact same problem with my Audio-Technica A900 and A1000 headphones and eventually sold them partly because of it. It was worst when I stood up and tried to walk around with them on. Instant-shock in the ear every time. None of the Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, Sony, or Koss headphones that I've tried over the years have had any problems like that. My house is quite old and the wiring is very bad. Most outlets in my house aren't grounded and the ones that are aren't grounded very well. I'll eventually rewire my house but it's quite a big job and I don't have the time right now. If you're in the same situation I was in, I'd recommend selling the AT's and getting some Beyerdynamic DT880 headphones instead. I've been very happy since I made the switch.

Selling my babies?? Are you totally mad? I have owned the DT 880's and they are the biggest disapointment of my life!! Never again. I won't be staying here for very long, so I'll just have to put the AT's on the shelf for a little while

 

[donunus]

Oh no, I just ordered the ad2000 and grounding does not exist in our ac plugs here in the philippines

 

[ericj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh no, I just ordered the ad2000 and grounding does not exist in our ac plugs here in the philippines

I think this whole thread is silly - commercially manufactured consumer audio gear is never grounded. On purpose. As a means of avoiding some possible ground loops.

But if some of the outlets are wired improperly, Very Bad Things can happen depending on the power supply circuits in your equipment -- if the cord only goes in one way, it matters which side is hot and which side is neutral.

If your outlets are all wired correctly (or, chances are, all wired the same even if they're all wired wrong the same way), you'll be fine.

 

[donunus]

hehehe I'll soon find out and report my findings when I get my cans. Hope I do get shocked, by how good it sounds and not by electrical current