hissing sound coming from speakers

Flash!
Flash! Posts: 28
edited February 2009 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I have been building a home theater in my basement for the past 3 months. I am at the stage where i am running speaker wire through my ceiling. The speaker gauge is 12 awg from blue jeans in wall rated. I do pass several electrical lines that are in metal conduit. I am not getting a humming sound which is what i was expecting because of the power lines. Its only noticeable at extremely low volume settings and i can't tell if its there when i turn up the volume. Maybe it has always been there, but i now only notice it because i was looking out for the hum noise of the power lines. My speakers are Polk LSI9's. I do notice a big difference in power from my carver amp with the new 12 awg wire. I was using 16 before.
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Comments

  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited February 2009
    How far away do you have to be to hear the hiss?
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,194
    edited February 2009
    Also, are your SC's, IC's and PC's all jumbled up and crossing each other? Some faint hiss is perfectly normal with some systems but anything extremely noticeable there will be a culprit for.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2009
    What source do you notice the hiss most? Do you notice the hiss when idle and the source(s) are not on?
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,194
    edited February 2009
    Ah, one more thing I just thought of.......is the hiss still present if you unhook your cable box from the rig? [If you have one in the loop?]
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Flash!
    Flash! Posts: 28
    edited February 2009
    I think i am exaggerating. The hiss is heard only up close to the speakers and it is noticeable only when volume is really low and before and after a song. If i stop a song from playing it is no longer there.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2009
    From the sound of it your source is the culprit.
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  • avhomedesigns
    avhomedesigns Posts: 29
    edited February 2009
    I agree with impared. It is most likely you receiver/amp from your description.

    Does is do this on all inputs? DVD/CD/Tuner ???
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,781
    edited February 2009
    If it were the source, reciever, or amp, I don't think it would go away when you stop the song. Sounds like it is the CD/DVD disc, or whatever it is you are listening to. Probably tape hiss from the original analog masters.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2009
    The hiss sounds like a natural result of the speakers being powered. Is the hiss at all irritating or is it more of a gentle white noise? Does it hum more than it hisses? Is the hiss louder in one speaker or the same in both?

    Just FYI, most all speakers have some level of hiss coming from the tweeters. It's often natural.
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