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Cracking through external speakers

There may have been threads about this topic already, but I am very confused.

Like a few others, I get terrible cracking through external (powered) speakers, specially when using the audio line out in the cradle. I read something about shielded speakers, but afaik the Bose Companion II and Yamaha YST-MS55D are shielded. It happens every 20, 30 or so minutes, it is short but extremely loud (also with volume at zero) and scares the crap out of me every time it happens. Even turning off the speakers immediately after the cracking starts does not stop it. Whether or not the cradle is hooked up to a power source for charging does not make a difference. The reception level of the phone has nothing to do with it, I have the full five bars. Neither has the availability of a WiFi network, and the iPhone is not checking email.

The answer that was suggested is to use the iPhone in Airplane mode. But what good does that do when you want to be able to receive calls? After all, I am not in an airplane. Well, it is not the answer, because I tried it and the problem persisted while in Airplane Mode!

I am frustrated, because the audio jack in the cradle is useless. The problem is not tied to a certain model or brand speakers. So hence my question again, does anyone know what the heck causes the cracking and what can be done to stop it?

Jan

iPhone, MacBook, Mac Mini, iMac, Cube, Newton, etc..., Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Sep 10, 2007 7:09 PM

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10 replies

Sep 12, 2007 6:19 PM in response to Cigarettes

I don't know how to describe the sound. It is extremely loud (the volume setting of external speakers does not play a role, it could be at zero). It starts with a short staccato, then becomes a steady cracking sound, and the whole thing takes about three to four seconds. It happens every 20 - 30 minutes and it drives me nuts.
As I already mentioned in my first question, Airplane mode off did not stop it.

Sep 15, 2007 3:16 PM in response to drenthe

If you are using powered computer speakers, Line Out will be too loud and cause clipping (the sound you are hearing). Line Out is meant to be plugged into audio receivers / home theater systems.

To eliminate the clipping, use the headphone jack on the iPhone and set the iPhone's volume to about 70-80%. You will hear clipping if you max out hte iPhone volume, as well.

In addition, turning Sound Check off may help eliminate clipping.

Nov 28, 2007 5:27 PM in response to aarongia

I have heard that crackling noise on occasion. Not as frequently as you indicate though. I have heard it only when playing back music from any of my Apple sources (ipod, iphone, itunes, or a CD recorded using the itunes software.) typically, everything will sound find, and then you might hear what sounds like a burst of noise. After that, the static will get louder and more consistent. The only way i have found to prevent it is to shut down the amplified device that is being used to reproduce the sound (car CD player, computer, ipod, etc..). After waiting, a while, or playing software from another source, I can return to the Apple source again. I have not found a permanent fix for this though.

I have have also heard some of my itunes recordings gradually becoming degraded. The is often appears in the form of static or a "fuzzy" sounding playback. The only fix that i have found for that is to replace the recording with a new copy. This is a pain, especially if it was one that i purchased from the itunes store.

i have also noticed that any music that i converted to aac is more suceptable to this problem that those that are left in the original format and just played through itunes. i am assuming it has something to do with their compression process. more that likely it is not a "lossless" type of importing/conversion.

Nov 28, 2007 5:40 PM in response to drenthe

Even when you're not talking on the phone, the iPhone is always transmitting things to tell the cellular system its whereabouts (so when the system has a call for you, it knows where your phone is), email checks, and the like. It has a VERY powerful transmitter and your unshielded speaker wires serve as an antenna for the amplifier, which acts as a radio.

Just move your iPhone a few feet away from the amplifier or speakers until the noise fades to a tolerable level. As someone else mentioned, if you switch to the Airplane Mode, that turns off ALL of the transmitters (cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth), so that will also stop the interference but turn your phone into just an iPod.

If you're using your iPhone is some sort of docking device where it's impractical to move it far way from the speakers and amplifier, your choices are to turn off the transmitters (with Airplane mode) or connect to your device through the mini-plug (most of these devices have a stereo mini input) and move the iPhone about 3 feet away from the amplifier.

Hope this helps.

Cracking through external speakers

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