noise/echo problem through headphone jack?

Has anyone else noticed a scratchy noise and echo when headphones/external speakers are plugged in to the headphone jack? It's kind of hard to explain what the noise is. The easiest way to hear it is to change the volume with the keyboard, and right after the feedback sound listen for an echo. It's very annoying, especally when listening to music.

At first I thought that it was isolated to just my machine, but, fortunately, I was able to try out an identical 20" Intel iMac, and the problem still occurred. However, on a G5 iMac, the problem doesn't occur. I'm wondering if the new Intel boards have an issue of some kind where interference is getting into the headphone jack.

Right now, I have some USB speakers plugged in to eliminate the problem. This isn't an acceptible solution though.

20" Intel iMac Mac OS X (10.4.4)

20" Intel iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Feb 15, 2006 8:04 AM

50 replies

May 9, 2006 4:13 AM in response to mpatterson1

I can confirm I get the exact same noise, both with the Mighty Mouse and with a Logitech mouse. This is EXTREMELY annoying and I've resorted to listening to music off my iPod even while my computer's on.

Please someone fix this?

lifeless

Level 1

10 points

May 22, 2006 12:06 AM in response to Community User

I had the very same problem with a brand-new iMac Core Duo 20". I tried it with the Mighty Mouse, I tried it with a wired Logitech Optical mouse, both whined whenever the optical sensor activated. When it was inactive, there was a slight hiss.

I plugged in my Logitech Wireless Comfort Desktop, which has an optical wireless mouse, and voila: no more hiss or whine.

It would seem that at least in this case, a wired optical mouse will cause the headphones to emit a whine (don't know about ball mice or laser mice), but using a wireless receiver in the middle makes the whine disappear.

iMac Core Duo 20" Mac OS X (10.4.6)

mattm_uk

Level 1

0 points

May 23, 2006 6:02 AM in response to Community User

The problem with the headphone socket is further illustrated on my iMac - If I don't use the iMac for maybe 90 seconds the screens 'dims' slightly, a power save feature i guess. When it dims I get a very loud buzzing noise through the headphones, if you are having these problems, try this and report back.

The noise subsides to the regular low level buzzing/whining when the iMac is used and the screen comes back to full brightness.

The engineer who took my iMac to replace the logic board said that if replacing the logic board didn't fix it then it must be 'part of the specification'. Laugh, no go on.

Next step is to call Apple direct and request a replacement system.

The saga goes on.

VCH

Level 1

0 points

May 29, 2006 7:50 PM in response to Community User

I have the same problem with my iMac 20". I have discovered it occurs with any mouse. However it is strictly a mouse problem as other USB devices do not cause the "buzz". I have temporarily fixed it by hooking mighty mouse into a USB 2.0 hub. This has stoped all noise, but I will be contacting Apple.

marthi

Level 1

0 points

May 30, 2006 2:33 PM in response to Community User

Hello I don't know if this will work for every one but it works for me........
I had an audible level of interference and noise enought to be annoying, and it got worse when plugging in a 4g ipod photo!!

Remembering that i had a spare griffin imic around i plugged it in to my intel mac mini and it has been bliss since, complete interference free, and also a much better level from my roland near field monitors.

So although the built in sound hardware should work i am using a £20 usb audio interface to get a quality sound.

Sort it out Apple, and for anyone with this problem try this fix it will save your sanity!!!!!!

mart

VCH

Level 1

0 points

May 30, 2006 7:48 PM in response to marthi

Yes, what a stupid issue to have not caught. Why is it just mice that cause the inteference? That fact gives me hope that maybe there is a possible software fix coming.If it was strictly hardware related one would think thatr all USB devices would cause the same thing. Anyone heard back yet frm APPLE?

Jun 2, 2006 10:32 AM in response to Community User

I've solved this problem for myself. After learning it was a mouse issue, I tried using a wireless USB microsoft/universal mouse I already had lying around. Results are phenominal. I plug the little chip into the keyboard USB, and theres no noise what-so-ever. I can also use "right click", which I was unaware of this being my first mac. I also have a scroll wheel, and one extra button which I will program to "display all open windows". Very happy with this result, if anyone wants the model number of this proven mouse, I'll be happy to look it up.

Jun 7, 2006 6:01 PM in response to Community User

Hi,

I recently acquired my G5 iMac Dual Core and experienced your problem. I use my computer extensively for music composition and recording, so sound quality is critical. After trying to solve the problem unsuccessfully by using an expensive power conditioner, I read the forum just now, and unplugged my Mighty Mouse. I connected the wireless Bluetooth mouse from my G5 PowerPC and voila!, the noise disappeared.

I will seek a similar mouse with a right click button and scrolling wheel to maintain complete functionality. Your problem, from what I have read in this forum and my experience, is definitely interference from the mouse.

G5 20" Dual Core Intel Mac OS X (10.4.6)

cbhcx

Level 1

0 points

Jun 9, 2006 1:39 AM in response to Community User

Same problem here, with a one week old x86 iMac 20" and Shure E3C earphones. Haven't spoken to Apple or tried a hub yet.

FYI, this thread is at the very top of google results for "imac mouse audio inteference".

iMac 20" intel Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Jun 12, 2006 11:43 AM in response to Community User

Same problem with my MacBook Pro. I just got a ViewSonic monitor to plug into it while at work, and its got built-in spreakers. I plug in the speaker jack and I get that staticky buzzing sound. I have a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, and hum is constant when its not moving. Gets louder when I move the mouse. The MacBook has a usb port on either side, tried both, no change. Although, when I unplug the mouse/keyboard thing, the noise is still there, its just REALLY quiet and hard to hear. It doesn't go completely away unless I unplug the speaker cord. 😟

jpalmer

Level 1

0 points

Jul 5, 2006 6:55 PM in response to Community User

Same problem here - hissing/tome when headphones plugged in. Trying the advice of unplugging the mouse I discovered that the sound went away when I removed the usb hub I had connected. I tried connecting the hard disk and printer I had on that hub directly to the iMac and the niose did not come back - I only get the noise when the hub is attached. I suspect that there must be a some sort of ground loop problem between the on board usb ports and the headphone jack when certain devices are connected. I hope Apple does something to make this right however I guess I am luckier than some with this one.

iReid

Level 1

0 points

Nov 18, 2006 8:32 PM in response to Community User

Ok, I'm trying each advise at a time:

X Updating Keyboard Software: Won't allow me to, only works with 10.4.6 (I assume that 10.4.8 has that update included).

X Zapping the PRam (Cmd Option+PR at Startup): Didn't Worked (did solved another issue that would cause a long delay when changeing system volume on my keyboard, thow).

Feb 6, 2007 2:20 AM in response to fronesis

Wow! just discovered this disaster! Had my imac for months now and tried the audio; what a mess. I have an ipod and ordered a belkin recorder. Will do all my recording on the ipod and transfer over to my imac. I know this will work, as when I played my recordings back on itunes without my audio software on, I only heard the mouse click when I hit stop on the software.
Don't know of any other work around. I used a freeware "audio recorder" to test my imac out. To bad apple blew this one. Jon

imac intel Mac OS X (10.4.8) NEC monitor added

Feb 6, 2007 2:51 AM in response to photohead

Apon further playing around. Using the "audio recorder" software; I set sound levels to where I wanted them. I had the monitor checkbox on (in the software); and when playing back-sound has to much echo. Then unchecking the box, after I set the sound levels; then recording and playing back, sound was much improved. Although you can still here the mouse click when stopping the recording; it was the only problem. Hope this helps. JonL
http://jonsmac-arts-optimizations.blogspot.com/

imac intel Mac OS X (10.4.8) NEC monitor added

May 2, 2007 8:30 PM in response to Michael Scrutchin

I finally got a new cordless laser mouse (Logitech MX Revolution) and it solved the problem -- there's no noise/echo problem anymore. I can now listen to music via headphones with blissfully clear sound. Thank God!

(The MX Revolution also kicks Mighty Mouse's pants right off.)

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noise/echo problem through headphone jack?