External Hard Drive Noise In Speakers

If you disconnect the external speakers and connect headphones to better isolate the sound, do you still hear the same sound through the headphones?

I have a brand new iMac 21.5", that I use also for music production. When the computer is connected to external speakers (KRK Rokit 5) through audio out, there is a strange constant noise - interference (?). Plus additional noise accompanying every move of the wireless mouse or scrolling, typing on the keyboard, hiding and showing the Dock, even pictures changing in the browser (banners) without any hardware activity. When the screen goes darker (saving mode) the noise becomes unbearable.

I just upgraded from the 2007 iMac with USB mouse and keyboard and in the exactly the same setup I hadn't experienced any problems. As well with my iPod - no problems at all.

I tried with various audio cables without any difference.
Would this be caused by Bluetooth? Grounding? Shielding? (Speakers are shielded.)

I called yesterday the Apple Support and after trying through the phone I was advised to go to the Genius Bar at the local Apple store. As they couldn't check the cause in the Genius Bar (didn't have speakers available ...), I got the iMac exchanged for a brand new piece. But now - back at home, the noise is still there.

I too have the same imac and Rokit 5s. I am having the exact same issue. I am looking into a solution
or its going back. will let you know if i figure anything out.

Cheers

I am having the same problem with my Imac and the krk monitors. mine are rokit 6se speakers though. i also have mine running through a Saffire LE firewire box. anyone find a solution?

Also having the same problem. Bit of a joke really. Works fine with my old imac and my girlfriends g4 macbook.

Ouch - I have this problem too with my brand new iMac. Rokit 8 (KRK) powered monitors are main outs from a mixing board. The iMac audio output goes into the mixing board. My symptom - with Mac volume turned all the way down, computer actions result in sounds from the loudspeakers: hard drive working, scrolling windows with the mouse. Not too intrusive, but it's there. Would an audio interface resolve this? Perhaps the normal audio out is insufficiently isolated?

Unfortunally, an external audio interface won't fix that problem.

I have a brandnew 27" iMac i7 and a Focusrite Saffire Pro24 as audio interface...and the same problem.

It's like spying the dataflow insinde the Computer...scrolling with the mouse, dataflow while copying files...everything is hearable throug the speakers. Even if I mute the output on my audio interface it get's through. The only thing that help, is switch of the amp or disconnect the main cables...but this is obviously not a good solution 😉

Since this is not the first time I read from this issue, maybe someone from Apple can take care of these??

Or has anyone a solution from this issue?

Cheers,
Michael

Did anyone ever figure out a solution for this? All of a sudden my speakers (Yamaha HS-80s) are getting feedback from the computer. Whenever I click, scroll, touch the keyboard, basically do anything it makes the static/hum louder.

I've tried different audio interfaces (USB, firewire, going directly into the headphones), different wires (1/4" and RCA), moving the speakers away from the iMac, different power strips and outlets.

Anyone have any solutions? It's really really frustrating!

The only solution I've found is a pcDI from Whirlwind. It's a little pricey ($130), but cleans the signal up perfectly. The only issue is that it only has XLR outputs. Our studio monitors have XLR inputs so it's not a problem.

I have the same problem connecting up to any external speaker source. iMac i5 27"
No problem with my MBP 2.53 or iPod. No problem with my old iMac 24" 3.06 same cables.

No great.

I can't be living with this hum while doing audio work.
What a pain.