Old Gaming 5.1 Speakers (low volume level "tick, tick, tick" from speaker) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2021, 06:32:22 pm
content: I'm just curious as to what would cause a really low volume fast paced tick, tick, tick, tick coming from computer speakers. This is an old 5.1 set from Creative I bought way back in 2006, so I'm not really worried about fixing it. I'm just curious.It's coming from the satellite speakers. I can't hear it unless my ear is right up against the speaker grill and there is no input.When I use the speakers' volume controller to turn up the volume knob, the ticking stops.What is curious, other than the ticking sound itself, is that when I use the volume knob to increase power to the speakers, the ticking stops.Even with the speakers unplugged for the computer side input, the ticking persists. Also, it doesn't matter what port they are plugged into, front, back, center.

author: TimNJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2021, 02:38:01 am
content: If the speakers are connected to a laptop or desktop with WiFi, turn off WiFi completely and see if it goes away. If it still persists, put your phone in airplane mode and see what happens.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2021, 04:44:23 am
content: Quote from: TimNJ on November 16, 2021, 02:38:01 am2G GSM interference can sound like what the OP describes but I'm not sure if the newer standards have the same bursty transmit patterns.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2021, 05:37:07 am
content: Quote from: TimNJ on November 16, 2021, 02:38:01 amThey aren't. They are plugged into the MB's audio outs.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2021, 05:38:36 am
content: Quote from: amyk on November 16, 2021, 04:44:23 amI think it is somehow in the amp because when I unplug the speakers from the motherboard audio outs, it still ticks.

author: TimNJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2021, 02:28:34 pm
content: I wasn’t saying the physical wired connection is responsible for the ticking. My suspicion was that some radio/cellular/WiFi thing is the cause. Turn off your cell phone, turn off computer WiFi and see if it persists. As Amyk said, GSM can sometimes show up like this.

author: TimNJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2021, 02:31:04 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on November 16, 2021, 04:44:23 amNot exactly sure either, but I sometimes get weird robot noises if I put my phone too close to my external DAC. iPhone SE from 2016 for what it’s worth.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2021, 06:40:14 pm
content: Quote from: TimNJ on November 16, 2021, 02:28:34 pmYeah it's a good place to start. I'll shut everything off and check it. After that, though, like I said,. it was just a curiosity and not worth much more effort. Interesting that when I turn up the volume knob, even with no input, it goes away.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2021, 08:52:39 pm
content: I find the RF is picked up by the loudspeaker wiring - not the audio inputs, but sometimes it's both.I can hear clicks and beeps whenever my cellphone is a few feet or closer (on my PC desk). It's kind of funny, when I hear many clicks and beeps a text message is incoming, my phone beeps afterwards.Ferrite clip-on chokes can help, as common-mode filters but overall it can be very difficult to get rid of the interference. I know the 900Mhz-band is brutal for audio gear, very hard to stop the beeps and clicks.Turning up the volume can lower impedance (seen) at the amp's front-end which might explain that.

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2021, 01:16:48 am
content: You're not out in the country anywhere near an electric fence?

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2021, 05:39:05 pm
content: Quote from: aargee on November 17, 2021, 01:16:48 amhaha no.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2021, 05:41:18 pm
content: Quote from: floobydust on November 16, 2021, 08:52:39 pmTonight I will turn everything off including my phone, wrap the phone in foil, and see if that makes a difference. However, this is inaudible unless I have my ear right up against the speaker cone. Also, it's not intermittent or chaotic. It's a clear cadence. Do you think it is possible I'm getting some sort of signals from aliens?