brand new HD485 crackling (slightly)

outlander83 · 13-08-2009, 2:50 AM

i was in the market for a good set of headphones at a good price and after MUCH research i choose a pair of Sennheiser HD 485. the sound in general is very good but i have noticed in certain situations there is slight crackling and popping. most notably during music in movies.

an example of this was a blu ray of tokyo drift playing on a ps3 through a panasonic 42pz70 with the 485's plugged into it. the opening music and the first car race (against the rich kid, kid rock's bawitdaba being the music) had crackling through it, not very loud but Noticeable. the volume was not that loud either (about 25% of the volume bar). its definitely not there during dialogue and i havent noticed it while listening to music on my computer of mp3 player.

i have heard that most headphone take time to break in but i didnt think you would ever hear crackling. so i am wondering do i have a defective pair or are these just not the pair for me or hopefully they might be "broken in" after a couple of weeks use.

what do we think?

Drubbing · 13-08-2009, 3:17 AM

Phones don't un-develop faults after prolonged usage, but as it doesn't replicate this on your PC/player, then it's unlikey to be the phones.

Then the problem is your PS3 or TV. These two are probably the worst sources to plug phones into. I'm not sure why they'd do this, but, it could be poor connections, the poor digital decoders themselves, or poor quality of headphone jacks on them.

outlander83 · 18-08-2009, 9:27 PM

ah man really, is there anything i can put between them to boost the quality?

Drubbing · 19-08-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outlander83

ah man really, is there anything i can put between them to boost the quality?

No. 'boosting' poor sources with amps of any quality will make all the crap things even more apparent.

Those sources weren't really designed with audio as the main function, so when you use half decent gear with them, you can find out it has limits.

djfonti · 24-08-2009, 9:05 PM

Exactly the same for me, I've had them for a week.

Songs on youtube there is crackling, I change the video to 'HQ' and that did eliminate it.

There are couple more instances where the sound leaves a little to be desired.

Not sure what to make of it yet or what to do.

That being said, they are plugged into a PC monitor, so not exactly ideal.

I need an audio switching device so I may look into something that has a headphone out.

djfonti · 27-08-2009, 5:07 PM

Hi all.

I need some advice on what to do next.

I am no audio expert or enthusiast but I bought a pair of these headphones mainly because I wanted something more durable as I don't use PC speakers, only headphones.

They are plugged into my PC monitor (which is fed the XBOX 360 + PC via a audio switch)

and I find on certain youtube videos I get a little distortion or crackling.

I thought it would be because of the quality of the source and when I play CDs it tends to be fine.

However, I have tried using my old cheap Phillips headphones on some of the youtube songs I have problems with, and there is no such problem on them. They don't sound as loud but there is no distortion/crackling or whatever.

Do you think I have a faulty pair?

Is it because they are plugged into a PC monitor?

Something I'm missing?

Like I said I am no expert I just want a decent set of headphones that work!

Thanks for reading, I look forward to any responses.

tudj · 27-08-2009, 5:46 PM

It may be that the Philips arent as detailed or they are not as sensetive so they don't pick up the distortion.

What is the source for PC sound? If it's your motherboard, that may be the cause as onboard is pretty poor as it's subject to lots of EMI from all the stuff on the board itself and other components.

djfonti · 27-08-2009, 6:58 PM

Hi Tudj, thanks for the reply.

Yeah, it's the motherboard...

The sound won't be messed up all over, just a pop or crackle at the end of a loop or sometihng.....but this isn't for all sources, CDs tend to be fine when played through the PC.

Perhaps you are right when you mention the lack of detail in the cheaper headphones.

So I am not sure what to do now.

I don't have long to return them to Amazon and doubt I can get them replaced as they were through a markeplace seller with a very good price.

I do not want to return them only to find a different brand has the same problem......

I'm just paranoid they are faulty but I can't really see a way of troubleshooting this.

Drubbing · 05-09-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfonti

They are plugged into my PC monitor (which is fed the XBOX 360 + PC via a audio switch)

I thought it would be because of the quality of the source and when I play CDs it tends to be fine.

Do you think I have a faulty pair?

Is it because they are plugged into a PC monitor?

Something I'm missing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfonti

CDs tend to be fine played through the CD

Process of elimination should tell you the Xbox fed through a PC, which are both bottom of the food chain sources, is the problem.