Rio Carbon static problem.

[OniVerde]

I picked up a Rio Carbon at my local Best Buy today. After I charged it for 3 hours and loaded some music into it, I plugged in a pair of Koss PP2's. The sound is pretty good. Better than my FL100. All is well. Then I happened to move the headphone jack around and I heard static. Loud static. It sounds like someone blowing into a microphone. I then switched the PP2's for MX500's and moved the jack around. There was no static. Hmm.... Then I plugged in some E2's and the static was there again. Has anyone noticed this static noise?

The PP2's and E2's both have gold plugs while the MX500 does not.

 

[gsferrari]

Impedance has something to do with it? What is the impedance of the PP2 and MX500?

 

[OniVerde]

I don't know but either way, there shouldn't be such noise. This doesn't happen with my FL100 or my CD player, so why would it happen on the Rio? I'm returning it tomorrow.

 

[proximal]

Have you made sure that any metal on the miniplug isn't making contact with metal on the case?

 

[OniVerde]

Quote:

Originally Posted by proximal Have you made sure that any metal on the miniplug isn't making contact with metal on the case?

DING DING DING! That solved the problem. By pulling the plug out a little bit it got ride of the noise. But in doing so I discovered a design flaw. There should be a non-conductive barrier between the jack and the metallic body. I'm returning it tomorrow.

 

[proximal]

Rio actually already knows about this, and I for one think its a huge oversight. Not all models have this problem though as you have discovered with the MX500. Does anybody know why some earphones are designed with an exposed metal base on the plug?

 

[Sweet Spot]

Instead of returning it, why not just dab a bit of gel (silicone or even bit of poxy glue on the base of the HP plug ?

 

[Achtunghoy]

Get one of them lined paper hole reinforcers and slap it on there.

 

[moi]

this is exactly the "static" problem with the ipod 40 4G. Just by pulling out the plug a tad it stops the noise. Also, using the remote with earplugs eliminates the noise (must be the connectors on the remote). Strange that two large companies have the same (new) issue now.

 

[OniVerde]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Spot Instead of returning it, why not just dab a bit of gel (silicone or even bit of poxy glue on the base of the HP plug ?

Why not? Because when I pay good money for a product, I expect it to work flawlessly without me having to jack around with modifying a design flaw. That's just me though.

 

[Sweet Spot]

LOL...fair 'nuff. Just thought you might have liked it enough to go that extra step...Sheet happens.

 

[OniVerde]

Well, I took the Carbon in to BB today to exchange it for a new one. I opened up the new Carbon right there in the store and plugged in my E2's. As soon as the unit powered up I started to hear the same static noise. I immediately asked for a refund. What a disappointment...

I really liked the Carbon, but I think I will wait until Rio fixes the flaw before buying another one. For now, I will just stick with my FL100. My 512mb SD card arrived today, so that should hold me off for a while.

 

[Achtunghoy]

I would've fixed it. But, opinions are opinions.

 

[austonia]

i confirmed this problem exists (with my own Carbon). however it's only with some headphones where the metal base is exposed for some reason. Sony MDR-7506 for example

 

[austonia]

oh man. this is much worse than I thought.

So far, my headphones that have this issue include:
Sony MDR-7506
Grado/Allesandro MS-1
Shure E3c
Sennheiser PX200
My custom Xin-made Etymotic ER4P cable

... and the ones that are not affected:
Sennheiser HD25-1
Sennheiser MX500

I've made a thread detailing the problem at Riovolution.com forums, and requested a response from Rio. This needs a fix.

http://forums-riovolution.com/index.php?showtopic=9066

I imagine this is going to turn into a huge deal. Carbon will be known for this static issue more than anything. the funny side of this is that it's all due to thier ipod-copying, with that shiney metal plate. good one, Rio (doh!)