Speakers getting electrical interference (pops)

braaad · 26th August 2012, 06:50 PM

I have a small digital audio workstation with powered monitor speakers in my my home. When the AC, dishwasher or lights switch on/off, the speakers produce a loud "pop."

My power supply is a very basic Belkn surge protector power strip. The monitors connect to my PC via Monster audio cables.

What can I do to eliminate the pops?

marce · 28th August 2012, 04:36 PM

EMC, noise created by he switch is getting through he PSU.
Look for a decent mains extension with good suppression would be the cheepest.

macboy · 28th August 2012, 04:47 PM

I would try adding a snap-on ferrite to the power cable, then to the audio input, then to the speaker cables (try google images if you don't know what it is). Those things can work like magic.

braaad · 29th August 2012, 02:12 AM

Thanks for the replies. I went ahead and bought an APC BE-350G battery backup, put my Mac and my monitors on it, and set the "sensitivity setting" to high. The pop is still there but is much lower in volume.

I will look up the snap-on ferrite.

Thanks!

marce · 29th August 2012, 07:07 AM

The ferrites will help but the mains pop is a surge caused by switching, Varistors on the input to PSU's are one of the best methods of supressing these. You should not hear any noise when you switch things on and off, I would still be worried.
I'd start of by listing the things that cause the pops.

braaad · 29th August 2012, 08:24 PM

I don't even know if this APC has varistors as part of the circuitry. I suppose I could have done a bit more research before going out and buying it, but then again I've always had really good experiences with APC PSU's.

Can you please suggest a PSU with better suppression?

26th August 2012, 06:50 PM	#1
braaad diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2012	Speakers getting electrical interference (pops) I have a small digital audio workstation with powered monitor speakers in my my home. When the AC, dishwasher or lights switch on/off, the speakers produce a loud "pop." My power supply is a very basic Belkn surge protector power strip. The monitors connect to my PC via Monster audio cables. What can I do to eliminate the pops?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
M-Audio 192 S/PDIF electrical interference help!	judderod	PC Based	23	15th May 2012 10:59 AM
Car Amp Electrical noise interference	dannyjmf	Car Audio	5	6th November 2011 01:50 AM
intermitent static pops from speakers st70	chopchip	Tubes / Valves	5	18th July 2010 01:05 AM
Mains pops and clicks	markiemrboo	Chip Amps	10	9th September 2007 09:57 AM
Interference, speakers --- > computer screen	Flavius	Multi-Way	10	2nd June 2003 02:51 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

28th August 2012, 04:36 PM	#2
marce diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blackburn, Lancs	EMC, noise created by he switch is getting through he PSU. Look for a decent mains extension with good suppression would be the cheepest.

28th August 2012, 04:47 PM	#3
macboy diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada	I would try adding a snap-on ferrite to the power cable, then to the audio input, then to the speaker cables (try google images if you don't know what it is). Those things can work like magic.

29th August 2012, 02:12 AM	#4
braaad diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2012	Thanks for the replies. I went ahead and bought an APC BE-350G battery backup, put my Mac and my monitors on it, and set the "sensitivity setting" to high. The pop is still there but is much lower in volume. I will look up the snap-on ferrite. Thanks!

29th August 2012, 07:07 AM	#5
marce diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blackburn, Lancs	The ferrites will help but the mains pop is a surge caused by switching, Varistors on the input to PSU's are one of the best methods of supressing these. You should not hear any noise when you switch things on and off, I would still be worried. I'd start of by listing the things that cause the pops.

29th August 2012, 08:24 PM	#6
braaad diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2012	I don't even know if this APC has varistors as part of the circuitry. I suppose I could have done a bit more research before going out and buying it, but then again I've always had really good experiences with APC PSU's. Can you please suggest a PSU with better suppression?