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

Quelkin

Level 1

0 points

May 7, 2007 2:17 AM in response to Michael Scrutchin

Tried in vain to duplicate the problem. Headphone audio sounds good...no backround noise, whatever. iMac 24, wireless keyboard & Mighty Mouse. Usually play through a Griffin Soundwave All in all, superb audio.

Jun 1, 2007 8:38 PM in response to tfjunk

New wrinkle on this problem: I have one of the first gen 17" Core Duo iMacs, with the mighty mouse and Apple keyboard. I did NOT have the audio problem... until very recently. Turned out to be a new combo USB/firewire hub that was causing the problem--even though the buzz tone/pitch altered when I unplugged the mouse (or unplugged a USB-connected printer, for that matter), it did NOT go away until I disconnected the Firewire uplink to the iMac.

In short: in my case at least, the problem was actually a Firewire connection (to a USB/firewire combo hub). With the Firewire disconnected, the audio is perfect.

Maybe related to power draw on the USB hub (which is not self-powered) when the Firewire connection is active?

Anyway, hope this helps some out there. Bottom line: don't limit your troubleshooting to mouse, keyboard, etc. Try disconnecting any/all USB and Firewire devices.

Cheers,

-j.

Feb 16, 2006 8:39 AM in response to Community User

No one else has had this problem?

Feb 20, 2006 12:55 PM in response to Community User

Talked to Apple and they assessed it as likely a hardware issue. I got it on record with them and told them I would wait a few weeks to see what happens, then call back.

Apr 11, 2006 12:02 PM in response to Nathaniel Cowles

It is not just the mighty mouse. I have a logitech wheel mouse (digital) that also causes a whine when plugged in to any USB jack.

hmmm

mattm_uk

Level 1

0 points

May 9, 2006 9:19 AM in response to mpatterson1

Mine is currently in for repair, I've been advised that it might be a case of putting in a new logic board.

mattm_uk

Level 1

0 points

May 22, 2006 2:32 PM in response to Community User

After having the logic board replaced I can confirm that the elecrtical noise which changes frequency as the Mighy Mouse is moved is still there.

I will be calling Apple to seek a resolution.

May 30, 2006 10:54 AM in response to Community User

Ditto, got the same problem here which is very disappointing. My iMac is in our family room, and it's handy for doing some tasks here and there without trudging down to my dungeon office in the basement 😉 BUT the allure is lost when I pop on the headphones to listen to some music while I work.

FWIW, I booted into XP to see if the noise issue was still present. I was hoping against hope it wouldn't be, because then it would indicate a software issue rather than hardware. But alas, it was just as strong. In OSX or WinXP, unplugging my usb mouse silenced the noise.

How can Apple have released this machine with this problem? With all the emphasis on entertainment, home digital hub, etc, they have almost never gotten audio quite right. The only Mac I've ever owned that had NO noise either line in/out or headphones is my PowerBook.

Yes, I know you can buy external sound boards and in fact I have no fewer than THREE so that I can listen to music or use Garageband/Sound Studio without interference. But what a premium to have to pay for something that should be part of the machine.

tfjunk

Level 1

0 points

Aug 8, 2006 9:15 AM in response to Community User

Has there been any solution to this? Did anyone ever get it resolved? I just got my new 20" iMac and can't stand the hum/whine from the headphone jack.

Thanks,
travler

Oct 14, 2006 10:58 AM in response to tfjunk

Another bump for this topic. Anybody figure anything out?

Oct 16, 2006 7:30 AM in response to tfjunk

Same problem here

Looks like best solution is to use a bluetooth mouse . . .

I will also try a USB audio interface . . . (an old edirol I have lying around)

Mad F

Level 1

100 points

Oct 16, 2006 9:28 AM in response to tfjunk

I bought myself a cheap USB audio interface and plugged in. Works perfectly, but of course I feel that on-board audio should be noise-free to begin with.

Oct 16, 2006 12:25 PM in response to Community User

i discovered how to correct the issue on the 20" imacs. i bought an early 2006 that had it but now its gone. please email me at ptsanders@hotmail.com for the answer. im glad to help.

tfjunk

Level 1

0 points

Oct 16, 2006 12:36 PM in response to silenced_one

Why not just post what you did here for everyone? This is a public discussion, and that way it is logged for others to read.

Thanks,
tf

Oct 16, 2006 3:11 PM in response to silenced_one

Why not post your solution here in the forum for everyone to benefit from? It will be more convenient for us, and it'll save you from having to type out multiple replies to everyone who e-mails you.

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noise/echo problem through headphone jack?