Audioengine A5 - humming, hissing, popping, cracking
Nov 27, 2008 at 3:09 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 26

kaldaim

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I just got my A5's and while they sound good they hum and hiss all the time, pop and crack on occasion (even with no source plugged into them), and frankly they're just not going to work out for me.

I need another option.

My budget is around $300 but if I really need to I could push it to $400. They're going to be used as computer speakers sitting about 3-4 feet from my head and at least a foot from the wall so rear firing is ok. They will be for music listening (all sorts, from jazz to rap, mostly 320k mp3) and movie watching.

I've read around here that M-Audio BX5a's and Mackie MR5's are other options, but I really need to know if a hiss or hum is present. I'm not talking about a faint one when you put your ear up to the tweeter, either, because that's expected. Sitting in a quiet room I can hear my m5's hissing from 6 feet away and that's unacceptable to me.

I'm not in a huge rush, but my klipsch promedia's gave out on me and I've been using [comparatively] uncomfortable headphones for the past few weeks.

Need help here, thanks.
 
Nov 27, 2008 at 5:02 PM Post #3 of 26
I agree with mrarroyo. I have a pair of these and mine don't "pop" or "crack" when left on. If the speakers are on while I unplug my iPod (from the headphone out jack) I get a cracking sound, which I think is normal.
 
Nov 27, 2008 at 5:25 PM Post #5 of 26
They make a damn good speaker for a great application. Get them replaced.
 
Nov 27, 2008 at 5:46 PM Post #6 of 26
Do you have an X-Fi? lol

Replace them They are the best at their price point. You won't get better.
 
Nov 29, 2008 at 2:12 AM Post #9 of 26
Quote:

Originally Posted by kaldaim /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Ok I will try a new pair before jumping ship

I was just feeling very sour - I'll give them another shot.



Hey, I understand. Trusting us is a good idea on this one though. You will love them.
 
Jan 24, 2010 at 10:09 PM Post #11 of 26
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jottle /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I noticed the occasional snap/pop from my a5's. It turns out that it's my crappy macbook pro soundcard. I'm switching to a DAC to see if that eliminates it.


Just a followup for anyone who's interested. It turns out that the internal amp on the a5's makes a hiss regardless of the input source or power protection on the circuit it's connected to. I listened to another pair of a5's in a store, and they make the exact same hiss noise out of the tweeters when there's no source connected. Unfortunately, a downside of having the internal amps is a higher noise floor. You can hear the hiss if you're 1-2 feet away from the speakers. But it's only really audible if you crank up the master volume or if you are in a completely silent room. The speakers also have a low level hum out of the woofers as well. This is just part of the internal amp.
 
Jan 25, 2010 at 6:04 AM Post #12 of 26
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jottle /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I noticed the occasional snap/pop from my a5's. It turns out that it's my crappy macbook pro soundcard. I'm switching to a DAC to see if that eliminates it.


I have the same issues with mine. They are plugged into a monster power conditioning unit and a HeadRoom Ultra Desktop. Still have the same issues, so it's definitely the speakers and a DAC won't make any difference.

The pop happens when the speakers go to sleep. I guess the amp shuts off or something.
 
Jan 27, 2010 at 9:11 PM Post #13 of 26
Quote:

Originally Posted by noris83 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I have the same issues with mine. They are plugged into a monster power conditioning unit and a HeadRoom Ultra Desktop. Still have the same issues, so it's definitely the speakers and a DAC won't make any difference.

The pop happens when the speakers go to sleep. I guess the amp shuts off or something.



Same with my set of A5's, but I've experienced that with every pair of powered speakers (with an internal amp) that I have ever owned. Not really an issue, IMO.
 
Jan 28, 2010 at 10:11 AM Post #15 of 26
Quote:

Originally Posted by jwhitakr /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Same with my set of A5's, but I've experienced that with every pair of powered speakers (with an internal amp) that I have ever owned. Not really an issue, IMO.


Strange, because my Pico DAC to Audioengine A2 doesn't hiss a bit, even when I turn the volume to the max. Perhaps it's because you're double amping the signal, and picking up the hiss from the source?
 

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