Speakers Recieving Radio Signal

[DevoidSoul]

Firstly I'd like to begin by apologising if I have submitted this thread within the incorrect category, now I'll proceed to the problem that is leaving me very puzzled. Although I can theorise why it may perhaps be possible but cannot fathom why precisely, okay okay I'll get to the point.

 

 

I am currently and have been for quite some time been experiencing this issue, it is very easy to describe but for my poor little brain very hard to explain away. I many a year ago purchased a set of 5.1 surround sound speakers, I took the cheap option but they where and remain perfectly adequate for my needs. The speakers in question are Logitech X-530's.

 

 

I will not go onto mention my entire hardware specifications as this issue occurs whether I have the base units power on or off, so I'm relatively confident in my stupidity that we can cross anything relating to the base unit off the list of possible causes. Although the power is off in actual fact it is often still plugged into the power supply, although not literally running.

 

 

 

• THE Problem: When these speakers are left switched on, alone or with the computer base unit running they receive and play very quietly, a foreign spoken radio station!? To add to my amazement, with a very cheap radio I cannot pick up any foreign spoken radio stations anywhere in this house.
  

 

 

Also perhaps irrelevant, but this 'issue' only occurs when the volume knob is turned down to very near minimum, or right down to minimum.

 

 

I cannot for the life of me explain precisely why it would be able to receive a radio signal, let alone transmit it along to all of the speakers quietly as I have never had an interest in anything remotely close to whatever field this would come under. So I was hoping and wondering if any of you kind chaps here at freepchelp.com would mind putting my mind at ease solving my confusion by way of an explanation.

 

 

And of course, many thanks for making it this far and, if you do, for lending a hand.

 

 

 

 

Regards,

Neil

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Neil, welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help by the way.

What you need are some radio frequency filters, these will eliminate the radio signal and prevent it from getting into your speakers. They are reasonably easy to install and are most likely available from somewhere like Maplin, Tandy, Radio Shack or any specialised radio and electronic shop in your area. If you get a decent assistant, they will explain how to fit them, but they go in your speaker cables, or any cable that supplies the sound before it gets to the amplifier if your speaker system has one. (I haven't checked that yet).

In essence they are a ring of ferrite and you wind the cable around the ring, two or three turns is usually enough, though you may be able to get the clip over type which are even easier to use.

[KenB]

Hi,

 

In addition to P-Ns post...

 

This is not an uncommon occurance.

Radio signals have been known to be picked up on electrical domestic appliances ( vacuum cleaner etc ) and even by dental fillings. see link.

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF12/1221.html

 

The explanation is that something is acting as a receiver and amplifier. This does not have to be specific radio equipment - google cats whisker radio.

 

Not so easy to diagnose what is causing it and how to stop it.

If you have an external mic attached try disconnecting this.

 

A change of speakers would probably cure it.

 

Also try coiling the speaker wires around a ferrite rod ( if you happen to have one ) or try a steel bolt. This, hopefully will act as a simple choke to block the signal.

 

Hope this helps.

[Tony D]

Something is acting as an antenna. I'm guessing this is an AM station, not an FM station. Something is picking up the signal and something is 'detecting' the modulation. Do you remember crystal radios of the past?

 

Your system is in perfect harmony with the transmitted radio signal. You need to disrupt that harmony. Try repositioning the wires and/or speakers, change the wire lenght, move things around.

 

-td

[DirtyPolo]

Hey Devoid, I have the same speakers as you but luckily for me I do not have the same problem as you. :P

 

It is an odd problem indeed,

 

This maybe a bit basic but have you tried unplugging them and putting them back, into the PC? i've seen this remedy the same problem before in the past although I do not know how! :D