24" iMac producing loud static 'fuzz' sound from speakers

[Will Cheyney]

I received a new 24" iMac last week. Love it. However, there is a problem when I have speakers or headphones connected to the machine via the audio out/headphone socket. If I have either headphones for speakers connected there is a loud static fuzz/buzzing sound that lasts for a minute or so which stops and starts. The internal speakers do not suffer from the same problem.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

 

[Will Cheyney]

No one else experienced a similar thing?

 

[Sun Baked]

Apple Suppot - Ground Loop

 

[phalewhale]

Not with my iMac

I had this problem with both Macbook and MacBook Pro. My iMac, and an old Dell Inspiron 6400 is spot on though. Exactly the same audio set-up and USB inputs on all.

 

[Y-Guy]

You're not alone. I had the problem with an older pair of Boston Acoustic speakers, I assumed it was the lack of shielding in the speakers or wires. I went out and bought a set of Bose Companion II speakers which were much worse as far as the noise. I read about the ground-loop isolator and headed to Radio Shack to get a cable and hooked it up. It helped, but didn't totally solve the problem. I figured for as much as I spent on the Bose speakers this shouldn't be happening. I returned them and bought a Logitech Z-2300. No problems at all, even without the ground-loop isolator.

I didn't have any sound issue with my Sony headphones though.

The part number for the Ground-Loop Isolator is 270-054 and runs about $16, you can check online to see if the store near you has one in stock.