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    Interference with external sound

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Eambo, Jun 13, 2009.

  1. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    I've found an issue that I haven't noticed before. Basically, whenever I plug in external speakers (my surround sound, for example) there is a lot of interference sound. It seems to coincide with the hard drive light - When the hard drive is being read, interference happens.

    I've tried this with the built in speakers - no interference. Also with sound muted, it still makes the noise. Anyone got any ideas why this would be, or how/if I can stop it?
     
    Eambo, Jun 13, 2009
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  2. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Sorry for the double post but BUMP. Anyone have a similar issue - and more importantly - know how to fix it? >.<
     
    Eambo, Jun 13, 2009
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  3. Quicklite

    Quicklite Notebook Deity

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    Whats your external soundcard?
     
    Quicklite, Jun 13, 2009
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  4. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Sorry, my title might have been misleading. I meant when using external speakers - I'm using the built in sound card.
     
    Eambo, Jun 13, 2009
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  5. Quicklite

    Quicklite Notebook Deity

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    Your speakers cable are too sensitive. You might want to increase the impedance in your set up. So they dont pick up noise ? you can do this by attaching a attenuator between the laptop and speaker?

    http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f21/high-quality-3-5mm-line-attenuator-pad-my-source-too-loud-424038/


    Alternative options are to invest in an external creative sound card. This should reduce noise, as well as increasing sound quality.

    Or get better built, more shielded speakers.

    Fancy building yourseld a Faraday cage ?
     
    Quicklite, Jun 13, 2009
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  6. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    Certainly have to look into it. It's a 'fake' surround sound system, taking simple stereo signals and using a matrix to split them into emulated surround. Might have something to do with it. It's durable when I have music on but when there's no sound going through it's VERY annoying =-P
     
    Eambo, Jun 13, 2009
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