What Causes Speakers To Hum And Hiss + How To Eliminate It

Humming, hissing, buzzing, and noise, in general, can quickly ruin our audio experience with speakers. Knowing the causes of and solutions to our speaker noise issues can save us a lot of grief and frustration when it comes to getting the best results out of our audio equipment.

What causes speakers to hum, buzz and hiss, and how do we eliminate this noise? Though some noise is inherent in the audio signal (tape hiss, amp gain, etc.), speaker hum and hiss generally come from poor wiring, ground loops or other electromagnetic interferences (AC line hum; RF interference, and USB and PC noise). To rid of the noise, we must rid of the interference.

In this article, we’ll go through each of the common causes of speaker hum and hiss and discuss the effective strategies we can implement to rid of the noise in our speakers and audio systems.

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What Is Speaker Hum And Hiss?

As the names suggest, speaker hum and hiss refer to any audible hum and hiss we hear from our speakers. This noise can be very irritating and troublesome to get rid of.

Let’s dive into the reasons why your speakers may be humming and hissing:

• Inherent hum/hiss in the audio signal
• Analog audio equipment
• Amplifier gain (including mic/line/speaker level mismatching)
• Poor wiring
• Ground loop
• AC line hum
• Radio frequency interference
• Computer noise
• USB noise
• Transformer noise (lamination rattle)
• Blown speakers

Let’s define each noise-inducing issue in greater detail, along with how to troubleshoot and fix the problems to eliminate speaker hum and hiss.

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Inherent Noise In The Audio Signal

Sometimes there is a hiss and hum printed into the audio signal itself. Speakers are meant to reproduce audio signals, so any audio noise will often come out of the speaker as hiss and hum.

Solution To Noise In The Audio Signal

There’s not really an easy solution to removing inherent audio signal from a speaker other than removing the noise from the audio.

If you’re recording the audio, try to eliminate noise at the source and in the mix.

For more information on reducing noise at the recording source, check out my article titled 15 Ways To Effectively Reduce Microphone Noise.

Try finding a higher-quality audio file of what you’d like to be listening to.

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Noise From Analog Equipment

Analog equipment (like analog tape and vinyl and the playback systems that read audio from them) will often produce hiss and hum that will be translated to the speakers.

Though analog recordings are often cherished for their warmth and character, the inherent noise may be an issue when listening back at high volumes.

Solution To Noise From Analog Equipment

Try cleaning and/or upgrading the analog playback equipment.

Another strategy is to go digital, though digital-to-analog converters (which are required if we are to drive speakers with digital audio) may also introduce noise to the signal.

Related articles:
• Are Loudspeakers & Monitors Analog Or Digital Audio Devices?
• Are Headphones Analog Or Digital Audio Devices?
• Are Microphones Analog Or Digital Devices? (Mic Output Designs)

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Noise From Amplifier Gain

Amplifiers will often add noise to the audio signal. This is particularly true of low-end amplifiers and preamplifiers.

To test this, turn up the amplifier or the volume of your speakers without sending any audio signal to them. You’ll likely notice that the speakers produce more hiss without any audio.

This is the amplifier at work. Any time we apply gain to a signal, we also amplify the inherent noise of that signal.

Additionally, the electronic components in audio amplifiers will add their own noise to the signal. In many high-end amps, this is no big deal. With lower-end models, this extra noise can be distracting, especially as the amp is turned up.

Solution To Noise From Amplifier Gain

To mitigate speaker noise due to amplifier gain, try setting the gain stages correctly and match the speaker(s) to an appropriate amplifier.

Oftentimes the amplifier is built into the speakers and is the only gain stage between the audio device and the speaker. In this case, turning the volume down is a good idea.

Let’s quickly discuss setting up a public address (PA) system or other audio systems that utilize mic, instrument, line and speaker level signals. Ensuring that the various signal strengths (and impedances) are connected to inputs/outputs designed to handle their voltages/impedances. Failing to do so can lead to significant noise and distortion.

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Hum & Hiss From Poor Wiring

Poor wiring and connections can lead to speaker noise and even speaker blow-out.

Crackling and popping are common side effects of poor wiring in a speaker. To learn more about this particular type of noise, check out my article What Causes Speakers To Pop And Crackle, And How To Fix It.

Audio signals are AC electrical signals, and they are carried via conductive wires. When jacks/plugs are connected, the electrical signal can pass from one component to another.

To learn more about jacks and plugs, check out the following My New Microphone articles:
• What Is The Difference Between A Microphone Plug And Jack?
• How Do Headphone Jacks And Plugs Work? (+ Wiring Diagrams)
• Why Do Speakers Hum When I Touch The Plug, Jack Or Cable?

If there is an issue with the wiring, hiss, hum, popping, crackling, and other noise can be sent to the speaker and cause significant issues in the speaker's performance.

Wiring issues can be a result of any of the following:

• Improperly wired jacks/plugs
• Mismatched or loose jacks/plugs
• Loose or damaged cables
• Loose solder connections

Troubleshooting & Fixing Hum & Hiss From Poor Wiring

To troubleshoot a wiring issue in an audio system, try wiggling the cables around while listening for speaker noise. Do this at a low listening level to avoid hearing and/or speaker damage.

The issue could be a connecting cable, which can be easily replaced or repaired.

Other times, the issue could be within the speaker, which may require dismantling the speaker and re-soldering a connection or replacing a wire.

The issue could also be a plug or jack connecting in the signal chain. This is often the case when the fit of the jack/plug is loose. It’s often best to replace the connector or try a different cable to solve this issue.

That being said, there are many instances when there are no apparent wiring issues, but hum, hiss and other noises are still a nuisance in the speaker(s). Let’s now move on to the more difficult-to-diagnose noise issues with speakers.

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Ground Loop Noise

Ground loop noise is, unfortunately, a common issue in audio systems, particularly in older buildings. It is also known as a 50 or 60-cycle hum, depending on the country’s AC power mains frequency.

A ground loop happens when various pieces of audio equipment are plugged into different AC outlets. When these pieces of audio equipment are then connected together electrically via signal wires and cables, there is potential for a ground loop.

In the audio system, all AC power mains plugs should have the same ground potential. A ground loop will occur if the two (or more) AC plugs have different ground potentials.

Let’s imagine two power outlets (A and B) that have different ground potentials.

Let’s also imagine a piece of audio equipment (a computer) is plugged into outlet A, and another piece of audio equipment (amplifier) is plugged into outlet B. These pieces of equipment are then connected via an audio cable.

The shield of the audio cable is typically connected to the grounded chassis of both the computer and amplifier and effectively closes a loop between outlets A and B. Because outlets A and B have different ground potentials, a ground loop is formed.

The ground loop acts as an antenna to pick up the stray magnetic fields of the power mains (at 50 or 60 Hz). These magnetic fields induce a current in the loop via electromagnetic induction, which manifests as the dreaded 50 or 60-cycle hum in our speakers.

Troubleshooting & Fixing Ground Loop Noise

Ground loops are easily identified by a trained ear. Listen for the 50 or 60 Hz hum in the speakers. 

If we hear this noise and see that our audio equipment is plugged into multiple sockets, a ground loop is likely present.

To eliminate the dreaded ground loop hum from our speaker(s), we must break the loop. This can be done in several ways.

The easiest method of eliminating ground loop hum is to connect all the audio equipment to a single AC outlet.

This can be done with a power strip (ideally a heavy-duty strip with surge protection). It can also be accomplished with a more reliable power conditioner.

The Furman SS6B is a great power bar with surge protection. It has 6 outlets.

The Furman M8DX is an affordable rack-mountable power conditioner with 9 outlets.

Though removing the ground may seem like a good idea to remove ground hum, I strongly advise against this practice. Sure, it may eliminate ground hum, but the potential shock hazards that come along with it are not worth the risk.

If plugging all your audio equipment into a single outlet is impractical, there are hum eliminators on the market. These devices act to break the ground loop safely.

Ebtech has multiple quality hum eliminators to choose from. Check out their plug-style Hum X on Amazon.

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AC Line Hum

Any electrical device with a motor will produce electromagnetic interference that can show up as hum and noise in our speakers. Household appliances like blenders, coffee grinders and hair dryers are common examples.

Of course, when turned on, these devices produce noticeable noise that will interfere with our listening pleasure. It’s worth noting that the EMI they emit will produce noise within the audio signal as well.

Light dimmers and fluorescent lights also emit this EMI in the audible range.

Troubleshooting AC Line Hum

AC line hum will sound similar to a ground loop. Oftentimes solving the ground loop will eliminate the AC line hum as well but not always.

The simplest way to eliminate AC line hum is to eliminate the devices that produce this noise/interference. This isn’t always easy, though.

Online UPSs (uninterruptible power supplies), isolation transformers and power conditioners can effectively knock out any interference from AC device interference. They should be used if AC line hum is an issue.

Though there are plenty of audiophile-grade power conditioners and UPSs on the market, I'd recommend saving your money and opting for a more reasonably-priced model.

The CyberPower CP1350PFCLCD is one such affordable consumer-grade UPS option that will help in project studios.

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Radio Frequency Interference

Radio frequency interference (RFI) is a specific type of electromagnetic interference that happens in the radio frequency band.

I’ve had RFI induce nearby radio station audio into a microphone signal before. However, this is not the most common type of RFI.

As an aside, I used the Shure A15RF to eliminate this RFI.

Many of our wireless devices (even Bluetooth devices) use RF carrier signals to transmit data wirelessly. All of these RF signals in our environment can cause noise in our audio systems, which shows up in our speaker(s).

Troubleshooting & Fixing Radio Frequency Interference

RFI often shows up when data is transmitted wirelessly. Listen for faint buzzing and hissing when wireless devices are operating near your audio system.

RF filters can be put in line if RF is overly problematic. The aforementioned EMI-blocking strategies may also do the trick to eliminate RFI.

Another effective strategy is to keep unnecessary wireless devices away from your audio system and speakers.

Related article: Why Speakers Hum/Buzz Around Cell Phones And How To Stop It

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Computer Noise

The internal sound cards and motherboards of computers (including smartphones and tablets) can be rather noisy. They are susceptible to electromagnetic interference that cannot be eliminated within their structures. Noise can also be introduced in the digital-to-analog converters used at the computer outputs.

Troubleshooting & Fixing Computer Noise

If you’re using a computer to output audio, there is likely hum, hiss or other noise in the audio.

Upgrading the sound card or installing a PCI or PCIe card may help to reduce or even eliminate this noise.

Using high-quality external audio interfaces may fix the issue of computer noise as well. These interfaces often connect via USB, Thunderbolt, or other digital connections.

Click here to read about My New Microphone's recommended audio interfaces.

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USB Noise

USB connections are not completely immune to noise, though, and may introduce their own hum and hiss to the speaker.

This is due to stray current leaking into the shielding of the USB cable.

Troubleshooting & Fixing USB Noise

There are three methods for removing USB cable noise.

The first is to use a ferrite noise suppressor sleeve (also known as a ferrite choke). Some USB cable comes with a built-in ferrite choke.

Ferrite chokes can also be bought as clip-on units. Ensure the ferrite choke you purchase will fit on the cable you intend to choke.

For example, the USB-A to USB-B cable that connects my computer to my audio interface is 4 mm (5/32″) in diameter, so these Uxcell ferrite chokes would be a great fit.

The second method involves the use of a USB noise filter. These devices split the shield connection and dissipate the unwanted noisy current.

The AudioQuest Jitterbug is a great example of a USB noise filter.

The third method is to use a ground shunt. This involves running any wire that’s less resistive than the USB shield alongside the USB cable from the audio device (computer) to the audio interface.

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Transformer Noise

The transformers can cause mechanically-induced hum in the power mains and power supplies of various components in the audio system. Speaker amplifiers may suffer from this and introduce noise to the speaker.

Transformers due to lamination rattle, which refers to a DC voltage on the line. No transformer is immune from lamination rattle, though poorly constructed transformers are much more susceptible to lamination rattle noise.

Troubleshooting & Fixing Transformer Noise

If transformer noise is an issue, we may notice that the amount of noise changes over time since it is dependent on the quality of the AC line voltage.

Listen for noise that is not indicative of a ground loop or RF interference. If the noise changes over time, it could be transformer noise.

If the transformer noise is a persistent issue, putting an AC power regulator between the power mains and the audio systems can help eliminate any pesky DC on the power and, therefore, transformer noise from the speakers.

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Blown Speakers

Blown-out speakers may also hiss and hum. Depending on the severity of the blow-out, the speaker may stop working entirely.

Blow-out is an all-encompassing term for a damaged speaker. The most common ways speakers blow out include the burning or melting of the voice coil and deterioration/damage to the suspension and speaker cone.

Troubleshooting & Fixing Blown Speakers

Troubleshooting blown speakers involves listening for noise and distortion, limited frequency response, and other non-linearities in the speaker's sound. We must then investigate the damage that has been done to the speaker.

Oftentimes it’s more cost-effective and simpler to replace the entire speaker. This is the case with many inexpensive and passive speakers.

Other times it’s better to re-cone the speaker, effectively replacing the moving parts of the driver (voice coil, cone, suspension, etc.). This can be done with replacement parts from the speaker manufacturer and a re-coning kit for your specific speaker.

For more information about speaker blow-out, check out my article Loudspeaker Blow-Out: Why It Happens & How To Avoid/Fix It.

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Related Questions

What does a blown speaker sound like? A blown-out speaker will often sound distorted or noisy, even at low levels. If the blow-out is particularly bad, the speaker won’t even be able to produce sound.

How do you fix speaker distortion? Speaker distortion can happen for a multitude of reasons. The primary reason is that the amp is overloaded. Try turning down the volume so as not to overload the amp or the speaker. If there is inherent distortion in the audio signal, play different audio. If the speaker is blown out, repair it.