How much 'hum' is acceptable?

[Alonso1973]

Newbie here banging his head against a wall in the need for some wise advice..

I just need to know if it ALL subs hum. Ive had my REL T3 for some months now and even though Im quite happy with its sonic performance, there is this hum that is driving me Nucking Futs!. EVERYTHING disconnected (except mains) and still hums. Its not a super obvious thing, but at 1am, you can hear it. You touch the driver and there is some (very small) displacement. The interesting thing is that I took it to the dealer and the other T3 they have there does the same. They suggested I take the issue with Rel, but since they havent responded 7 emails in 6 months, I will just switch brands!

Bottom Q is; Can a Subwoofer be super silent? I know its difficult to describe HOW loud the hum is but believe me, I dont have bat ears and it annoys me, you can feel it more than hear it. Most evident when you're standing next to it and turn it on. During the day with everything else going on (from traffic outside to people around) you cant hear it though

I would appreciate your advice SO much. Im seriously considering trading up for a BK but if certain humming is inherent to sub design, I guess there is no point.

What is your experience?

[gchaplin]

I have a REL Q150 and it does not hum at all. - It used to...

This was an earth loop problem and only occured when connected to the amp, then REL changed my sub (impressive customer service at the time!) to one with an earth switch which got rid of it.

I know the low hum you mean and the very slight distortion of the cone.

Have you tried a different mains cable? and as ridiculous as it sounds, a range of different plug sockets?

[rszee]

I don't know about RELs but my Sub (velodyne) is double insulated a (square inside another sqaue) so elimates hum. Also it is good to use a least a double sheilded cable like ones from Mark grant or qed etc

[Alonso1973]

Originally Posted by gchaplin

Have you tried a different mains cable? and as ridiculous as it sounds, a range of different plug sockets?

Hi! Thanks for such fast reply! Well... ive thought about changing the leads but if another T3 had the same hum at the dealers, I wouldve thought that the problem wasnt the mains. Ive recently bought a Tacima CS929 mains conditioner but it made no difference... (not gonna spend the price of a BK XLS200 on fancier mains conditioners for not to work!)

Would you still try the mains lead route if the another T3 had the same problem in a completely different environment? Would you say is a design flaw? Ive done my browsing and I havent heard anybody with the same problem....

[Ightenhill]

dont know about the rel but i get No audible hum on an MJ ref150 or a castle cube.. dont think that should be happening.. humming will be inherent as you put it if you have ground or mains shielding problems though.. Does it hum when its just plugged in but the subis not connected to the receiver?

[Alonso1973]

Originally Posted by rszee

I don't know about RELs but my Sub (velodyne) is double insulated a (square inside another sqaue) so elimates hum. Also it is good to use a least a double sheilded cable like ones from Mark grant or qed etc

This whole hum is proving to be a big head ache.... I just wanted to double check that the BKs (best value/performance/reputation so far) are 100% HUM FREE!. Sorry if Im anal about it but I want SUPER SILENT as in I-cant-tell-if-its-on-or-off-with-my-ear-against-the-driver-at-3am silent..... You know frustrating it is when dealers dont see any profit in your query and just reply "all subs hum mate"

[Alonso1973]

Originally Posted by Ightenhill

Does it hum when its just plugged in but the subs not connected to the receiver?

Hi Ightenhill. It hums even when the only thing between itself and the rest of the world are its spikes and the mains lead! - nothing else. I must admit that if I connect it to the receiver (and to the Audio amp thru hi-level Neutrik connector) ads another 'layer' of humming!

[Weidass]

it shouldnt hum noticably. none of my subs, infact any of the subs i have come across, have hummed at all.

I personally wouldnt settle for a humming sub under any circumstances. (and yes, ive been thru a couple of really cheap subs too, and they didnt hum either)

[hoppaz]

Originally Posted by Alonso1973

Newbie here banging his head against a wall in the need for some wise advice..

I just need to know if it ALL subs hum. Ive had my REL T3 for some months now and even though Im quite happy with its sonic performance, there is this hum that is driving me Nucking Futs!. EVERYTHING disconnected (except mains) and still hums. Its not a super obvious thing, but at 1am, you can hear it. You touch the driver and there is some (very small) displacement. The interesting thing is that I took it to the dealer and the other T3 they have there does the same. They suggested I take the issue with Rel, but since they havent responded 7 emails in 6 months, I will just switch brands!

Bottom Q is; Can a Subwoofer be super silent? I know its difficult to describe HOW loud the hum is but believe me, I dont have bat ears and it annoys me, you can feel it more than hear it. Most evident when you're standing next to it and turn it on. During the day with everything else going on (from traffic outside to people around) you cant hear it though

I would appreciate your advice SO much. Im seriously considering trading up for a BK but if certain humming is inherent to sub design, I guess there is no point.

What is your experience?

Google ground loop and you will find a lot of people have this problem. I have a rotel amp whick has a slight ground loop hum only audible about a foot away from the speakers. Things you can try:

- Plug sub into a different socket.
- Unplug fridge/freezer - these can create lots of noise and see what happens. If hum goes try plugging fridge into another socket.
- Try different interconnect to connect sub to amp.
- Do you have cable tv i.e. virgin? These systems can bring noise into your house and there is an adapter that helps remove mains noise.

[Alonso1973]

Originally Posted by hoppaz

- Google ground loop and you will find a lot of people have this problem.
- Plug sub into a different socket.
- Unplug fridge/freezer - these can create lots of noise and see what happens. If hum goes try plugging fridge into another socket.
- Try different interconnect to connect sub to amp.
- Do you have cable tv i.e. virgin?

Hi Hopazz. Thanks for your suggestions but I have tried EVERYTHING on your check list. (I unplugged every single appliance in the house, including the alarm by taking the fuse out). No point in trying different interconnects cause it hums with no interconnects attached anyway. No Cable TV! Yes, Ive googled it and there's a whole paper on isolating ground loops!. As I said at the beginning, I even went to the dealer with my T3 and put it next to one of the other T3s they had there and BOTH hummed. That really threw me! Cause that would kinda prove that my problem is not my mains (unless we both have the same mains problems!) remember... this happens even with ONLY the mains connected to the unit!

think Ill ask my local dealer to lend me an MJ Ref 100 home to check. If that hums

[russ.will]

It should not hum period. None of my subs have hummed unless you press your ear against the amp by which to hear the slightest transformer hum. Nothing should come from the driver, especially when only connected to the mains unless you have really messy mains and the subs power supply is exceptionally poor.

I find it notable that this is the second case of poor REL customer service in two days that's been posted on here, but that said you bought the sub from a dealer. You buy from a dealer for their support in such matters and I suggest you press them for it after all, they were happy enough to help unload your wallet.

If they fail to show interest 1) Stop spending money with them and 2) Consider buying online so you at least save some money whilst experiencing (allegedly) reduced 'support'.

Russell

[eviljohn2]

Speakers connected to amplifiers will hum if you put your ear to them. This should be inaudible from a metre or more away and if it is audible there's a fault somewhere either in the sub, mains lead or in your power supply. My fridge and Wii make far more ambient noise than my sub and speakers when idling.

[hoppaz]

Originally Posted by eviljohn2

Speakers connected to amplifiers will hum if you put your ear to them. This should be inaudible from a metre or more away and if it is audible there's a fault somewhere either in the sub, mains lead or in your power supply. My fridge and Wii make far more ambient noise than my sub and speakers when idling.

so eviljohn my Rotel power ampifier is normal? Phew I thought I was beginning to get OCD... never noticed it myself one day my GF said have you heard this noise when she bent down to get her bag next to one of my speakers (less than a foot away) and it's been bugging me ever since!

Go figure how much hassle are women even when they don't mean to be!!!!

[AngelEyes]

I am with Russell on his point about the dealer. You spent your money with them so it is up to them to look after you.

As for the Email issues, strangely enough in this day and age many companies do not give email enquiries or complaints much notice. If something really annoys you which it obviously does in this case, then you should use the phone or write a letter.

Sometimes the old fashiouned ways tend to ellicit a proper response. I am not saying you should have to go to that trouble but if you want a response it is worth a try.

Adam

[eviljohn2]

Don't worry about it Hoppaz.