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User profile for user: semihyildiz
semihyildiz Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Static noise from external speakers when plugged external display

Hello,


My setup is ; MacBook Pro 2020 16 inch + Universal Audio Apollo solo(also tried Apollo x4) external sound card and JBL 305 MK II speakers+ LG 34' 34WK95U external monitor . All connected via thunderbolt 3. All of them updated to last versions.

I have very loud static noice sound from JBL speakers when I plug external display. It becomes worse when I try even some cursor movements on pc. I realized I don't have it on headphones which connect to sound card. Also noice gone when I plug own power cable of MacBook which is interesting.

I found some discussions which linked to grounding problems. Its happen also with other models of monitors, soundcards and speakers. Also I tried to plug to speaker powers to another socket to another room but nothing changed. So only solution for me was keeping plugged also own power cable of Mac with. By Apollo and external display I am using 3 thunderbolt plug. But when I think about buy a new M1 MacBooks it seems it would be problem for me cause it has two ports. Do you know any other solution, or if there is same problem with m1 MacBooks?

Posted on Jan 5, 2021 3:17 AM

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User profile for user: semihyildiz
semihyildiz Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Posted on Jan 7, 2021 7:37 AM

Ok i solved the problem. I was using 6.35 mm mono TS > TS cables to connect Apollo sound card and JBL speakers which cause static noise from grounding problems when external displays plugged to system. I changed them with 6.35 mm balanced TRS > XLR cable and noise gone.

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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
60,752 points

Jan 5, 2021 11:11 PM in response to semihyildiz

If you are using the laptop's power adapter, then make sure to use the grounded AC cord with it (there should be one for each region, but I linked the one for the US to show an example):

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK122LL/A/power-adapter-extension-cable


Are all of your electronics plugged into the same electrical outlet? Two different electrical outlets in one room could be on different circuits. Your home electrical wiring may also have grounding issues, but you would need to have an electrician check this although there are easy to use test plugs which can tell you if the circuit is most likely properly wired.

https://www.amazon.com/Receptacle-Tester-Klein-Tools-RT210/dp/B01AKX8L0M/ref=psdc_14244461_t1_B0012DHVQ0


Have you tried to various combinations of equipment to see if their is just one device that seems to cause the problem? Maybe one device has an issue that only shows up when certain other devices are connected.


Edit: It is possible one or more of your devices has an internal grounding issue that may only appear when another problem device is connected.

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Static noise from external speakers when plugged external display

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