Power line conditioner for computer speakers

[shuttleboi]

I bought some new computer speakers and am hearing from static hissing noise coming through them. I am using USB to connect the speakers to my computer, so I am guessing the hissing is from the power supply or the electricity from the wall. My home was built in 1987, in case that's relevant.
 
So I am wondering if purchasing a power line conditioner would remove the hissing? Currently my computer and the speakers are attached to a $20 surge protector.
 
This is the line conditioner I'm thinking about (Furman Elite 15):
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_756ELT15PF/Furman-Elite-15-PFi.html
 
I'm willing to be spendy because I've really had it with hissing speakers.
 
 

 

 

[astrallite]

$700 line conditioner for USB speakers?

 

[shuttleboi]

The speakers I bought were $500-$600.
 
I just want to know if these power line conditioners actually work, or are they snakeoil? Will the conditioner actually remove hiss?

 

[TheRH]

Ok, you may need to clarify, what speakers are you using, what is the interface, and what is the connection type? I had the same problem with my KRK PR2 8's, though I was using an unbalanced connection.
 
I am using a Lexicon Alpha, and at first there was terrible hiss as well, though I was using an un-balanced TS connection and the went to TRS connection, and the hiss is virtually gone. Oh and my house is from the mid- 1970's.

 

[Roseval]

It can be anything.
Try:
another PC
if it is a laptop disconnect the mains forcing it to use the battery
Plug speakers and PC in the same powerstrip
Us another USB cable
Try different USB ports
 
Try to isolate the problem before you buy.

 

[shuttleboi]

Quote:

It can be anything.
Try:
another PC
if it is a laptop disconnect the mains forcing it to use the battery
Plug speakers and PC in the same powerstrip
Us another USB cable
Try different USB ports
 
Try to isolate the problem before you buy.

 
I can hear the buzz even when the USB cable is unplugged.
 

 

[headfinoob]

I have used a Furman PL-8 Series II in several setups and a Furman PM-8 Series II (the PM-8 has a line voltmeter and an ammeter.)
I believe the Furman PL-8 Series II is now the Furman PL-8C, or classic.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Furman-PL-8C-PL-8C-8-C-9-Outlet-Classic-Pro-Power-Conditioner-w-Light-PL8C-/300679406643?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4601e3a433
 
I bought most of mine from the seller in the above link, as they are authorized.  I honestly cannot really say how much it actually reduces noise on the AC lines, because I don't have a scope.  It seems to me that the Furman units are some of the better around in terms of value.

 

[astrallite]

Quote:

The speakers I bought were $500-$600.
 
I just want to know if these power line conditioners actually work, or are they snakeoil? Will the conditioner actually remove hiss?

What speakers are these?

 

[TheRH]

The type of speakers and interfaces would be helpful.Please let us know what you have.

 

[shuttleboi]

 
Quote:

The type of speakers and interfaces would be helpful.Please let us know what you have.

They are B&W MM-1 speakers. They can connect to my computer by USB or mini-plug, but I'm using USB. There is some hissing in either case. The hissing occurs with both a Windows PC and a Macbook Pro.
 
I can't exchange/return the speakers at this point. They were $500.
 
So my question is whether or not a power conditioner (like the high-end Furman I suggested earlier) will eliminate the hissing. Are they for real or snake oil?
 
 
 

 

[astrallite]

No a power line conditioner would not fix the hissing. I have the MM-1s and went through three pairs to test it, and also listened to one in Best Buy Magnolia and the Apple Store and they all exhibited this behavior. You will find plenty of threads on Apple forums, AVSforum, or other PC forums on this issue.
 
Either the pre-amp and/or DSP is the culprit. The other multimedia speaker I had experience with that suffered from this loud hiss issue was the Logitech Z-680s which was well documented.

 

[shuttleboi]

Quote:

No a power line conditioner would not fix the hissing. I have the MM-1s and went through three pairs to test it, and also listened to one in Best Buy Magnolia and the Apple Store and they all exhibited this behavior. You will find plenty of threads on Apple forums, AVSforum, or other PC forums on this issue.
 
Either the pre-amp and/or DSP is the culprit. The other multimedia speaker I had experience with that suffered from this loud hiss issue was the Logitech Z-680s which was well documented.

 
Thanks for the reply. I am currently trying out the Focal XS 2.1 computer speakers, and they exhibit a different kind humming.
 
When I lived in a previous house, I had older Altec Lansing speakers that did not have this kind of noise. So that is why I'm thinking a power conditioner will help with these speaker sets.
 

 

[astrallite]

Humming from the speaker amp section is due to the transformer rattling and can be fixed with a device that can control voltage ripple like an APC H15 or a Humbuster. Hum from the speaker drivers themselves is a ground loop problem and you need to physically go through your house electrical wiring to make sure it is all grounded to the house ground pipe.
 
Hissing from the speakers is generally an internal DSP or pre-amp quality control issue, and an external device is not gonna fix it.

 

[shuttleboi]

Thanks for the reply. I think I'm going to try out the power conditioner anyways with the speakers. Maybe I'll get one of the higher-end Furman or Panamax units. I'll report back the results here in a few weeks.