I just bought me some sweet Altec Lansings, but I found that they emit this strange hiss even after I turn them off. It's only when I disconnect the power manually that it goes away. The manual is useless(OEM) and Lansing has no trouble shooter for it. I surmise that the his is due to the fact that the power switch probably just disconnects the connection to the PC, rather than actually cutting of the power source. If so, is it safe to practically leave on the speakers 24/7 even when the PC is off? I'd rather not reach under the desk to disconnect the power whenever I'm shutting down. Thanks.

leichaolan,

Hmmmm...Just had what might be a similar problem. It turned out there was a maximum I could turn up the speaker volume using the "physical" speaker volume control. Also put on a new set of speakers.

I had to reach a balance between my audio card volume controls and the physical speaker control...or they were hissing continually.

If you're using a microphone you might want to mute unless using. If the speakers are sensitive they might be creating the feedback loop.

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

Very interesting....But would these still apply if the computer was off? When I shut everything down, they still hiss. You are right though, I do have a pc mic nearby, but that is usually muted. What difference would that have though if the pc was off? The hiss is still there even if I turn the volume knob on the speakers all the way down. But I will try balancing the speaker/volume control like you suggest. Thanks.

Sounds like (pun unintentional http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif ) that if you still have the hiss going on after using the physical volume control that it could be the speakers themselves.

Once I figured out that it was the physical volume causing the hissing, by turning it down, I then balanced the two to achieve a "comfortable" level.

What I did was turn up the Audio Card Volume to the max and then added the physical volume...then, just backed off using the Audio Card Volume Control to my normal listening level.

That then leaves me with a bit of "boost" without distortion if a good song comes on that I might want to "get down a boogie" to! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

These speakers have a small amp built into them, usually located in the one with the volume control (typically the right one). A separate sub will have its own amp as well. This is why as Whyzman suggested you have a volume control on the speakers (at the amp) and also in the software on the PC. Your hiss is coming from the built in speaker amp (generally none of this stuff is of the highest order of fidelity), which obviously is not being switched off when you turn the power off at the speaker. As suggested, by lowering the speaker amp enough to eliminate audible hiss, you can probably still get acceptable volume from most material with the PC VC. See? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif It is typical for many "modern" electronic devices to remain "on" to one degree or another even when switched off. Sometimes this is required (as in the clock on a vcr) other times it's a total waste of electricity that really adds up across millions of examples, as in your pc speakers.

Dan

What happens if you unplug the speaker sound cable from the soundcard?

If this eliminates the hiss then most likely you have a grounding or earthing problem. The soundcard could be loosely seated or the mounting bracket screw is loose. The same could apply to the motherboard or perhaps the ground is faulty on your power connection.

The same applies to the speaker power supply.

If unit has an external power supply it could be defective or a later revision could have an added 'choke' (those fat little cylinders on cords) to reduce RF/EMI.

If the hiss is still there after unplugging the sound cable try replacing the power supply (if external).

Double/triple/quadruple check that the hiss occurs at ALL volume levels of the physical volume setting on THE SPEAKERS themselves. You might try plugging the speakers into a portable stereo (Walkman)...

Thanks for all your responses. I think Dan has got the right idea...but turning down the physical volume on the right sattelite (or the one on the sub) does nothing. Even when I totally sever the connection to the pc (unplugging the thing from the sound card) and pushing the "power" switch on the sattelite, the hiss still persists. It is only when I unplug the thing that it goes away. Before, I had stereo speakers hooked up through a cheap boom box via RCA cables. Whenever I forgot to turn off the boom box, there would be a hiss. This hiss would be there even if the computer was off. The only way to get rid of it was to flick off the power switch on the box. I am assuming that these Lansings only turn off the connection between the speaker and the computer and not the actual power. That is why the hiss is always there (unless I unplug the unit). If worse comes to worse, I'll just have to rig up a makeshift power switch between the sub and the power source. Thanks guys.

Dan put the finishing touches on what I was attempting to convey...thanks Dan! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

leichaolan, the amp volume, present on the speaker with the volume control, should be able to be turned down to the point where the hissing stops. You shouldn't need to unplug the speakers' power supply to make it stop.

As Dan pointed out, these are not the best quality speaker systems. However, if they continue to hiss when the speaker amp volume is turned down, something is wrong! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

Now, one other thought, is that on my subwoofer there is a separate volume control which also has to be adjusted.

If you have a local computer shop nearby you might want to bring 'em down and have them put 'em to the test!

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 02-02-2002).]