Airport express popping sound

Your AirPort Express Base Station (AX) is receiving some sort of low frequency signal. Most likely it is coming from the house electrical circuit. If you haven't already, try the following (in order):

1. Plug the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) into a different receptacle in the same outlet.
2. Plug the AX into a different electrical outlet.
3. Plug the AX into a power strip that employs surge protection.

Good point! Could very well be the culprit. Each time the refrigerator's condenser kicks-on/off, it will cause a voltage spike. If your AX is on the same circuit, it may be the reason why it's producing those audio "pops."

is there anything else i could do to make sure this popping stops?

Sorry, none that I can think of. You'll have to decide if drinking beer is more important than steaming iTunes. 😉

also is it as bad for my speakers as I think it probbly is?

Unfortunately, yes. Each time you hear that "pop,"the speaker cone is most likely banging against its mechanical stops. Eventually, this will damage the speaker's ability to reproduce audio at its designed full range.

Hi there! Oh this is something that have driven me crazy! My setup: a AX connected with ethernet wire to my AEBS. They both (and the speakers) are connected to same power outlet. I get pops everytime something gets turned on/off.

My solution was a simple one. It was the ethernet cord between the AX and the AEBS. I removed it and let the AX join the network wirelessly. Everything works perfectly now. I tried protecive surg (or what's it called) and no use. So check and see if you can remove the ethernet cord?

Good luck!

Look for a quality surge protector/power strip from APC, Panamax or Furman. Might be a good idea to review the store's return policy in case this doesn't do the trick.

Unfortunately, good isolation does not come cheap. You're going to be in the $80-120 range for a +high quality+ isolation product.

The fridge is likely causing a voltage spike on the AC line when the compressor kicks in. Probably older AC wiring in the building with some ungrounded outlets, etc., not helping the situation.

Unfortunately, no shortcuts available here. Visit the electronics store and tell them that you need "isolation". Make sure that you can return the product if it doesn't do what you want. $50 might do it, might not. APC or Panamax may have something in this range.

I just got a second Express to stream music to two locations in my house. The new Express(n) has a horrible popping and crackling sound. I tried deferent powered speakers, cables(analog), and outlets and nothing worked.

My older Express(g) had always worked fine. It is currently hooked up to my main stereo via optical. I switched the Express so new(bad) one would be on optical and the old(good) would be on analog mini-jack. The new Express outputs optical fine, with great sound. The old Express sounds great via analog.

I suspect that you and I have defective units.