beolab 3 - no music "noise", normal?

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nethawk Posted: Sat, Apr 9 2016 11:23 AM

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Hi!

I have just bought a pair of 2nd hand BeoLab 3 (SN #21x).

They sound amazing for such a small body!! So happy with them.

At the moment they are connected to my computer through a cheap SPDIF to RCA adapter from Amazon (Proxima Direct DAC), and 3meters SoundsHeavensly cable (2rca/2x7pd). 

They will be connected to a BeoSound 9000 and a Sony KD-55XD9305 but I'm still makeing some reformations to my apartment.

My only concern is that when there is no music, before they go OFF after 1 minute or so, there is like the "no music noise". A "hmmmm" sound... not too loud, but there.

That's the kind of sound I know can happen if with a standard speaker you put the volume too high without sound.

I have tried to connect the PL to RCA cable with a RCA to mini jack adapter, and the "noise" is similar.

I currently have the speakers around 1 m between each other, and at 60 cm from my self.

Questions:

1. This is normal?

2. This is due the LINE connection?

3. Is possible to avoid it?

3. If I connect the beolab3 to the beosound 9000 I can get rid of this, at standard volumes?

Many thanks! 

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nethawk replied on Sat, Apr 9 2016 11:28 AM

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Just one last question!

When they go OFF, there is one, that does it in 3 minutes, and the other in 3 minuts 10 secs. Everytime it's the same.

This is normal? :)

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Chris Hassell replied on Sat, Apr 9 2016 1:13 PM

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I'd say this is almost definitely to do with the cables mate. Once you haven't got that converter you'll be ok. As you said, it's cheap, so will have non-to- rubbish shielding.

not sure about the 3' and 3'10" thing??

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nethawk replied on Sat, Apr 9 2016 2:02 PM

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Hi Chris! 

I have tried without the cheap DAC, just connected to another RCA source, and it's the same.

The only common cables on any setup are the PL to RCA ones.

http://soundsheavenly.com/powerlink-8-pin-din-connection/105-av-processor-pre-amp-sonos-to-beolab-using-the-powerlink-din-sockets.html

Thanks!

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Steve at Sounds Heavenly replied on Mon, Apr 11 2016 2:34 PM

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Hi nethawk,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems.  I can confirm that the cables are correct for your speakers and that these are fully shielded with all the correct grounding points connected, so these won't be the cause of the noise.

There are several possible issues that can cause noise to be induced into Beolab speakers, unfortunately Beolab 3 speakers are quite susceptible to electrical noise in some situations.

Firstly, if you have cables connected but no source plugged into the other end of the cables, this can generate noise, as mains hum can be induced which causes the speakers to switch on when in Line mode.  Some sources disconnect the output sockets (ie. via a relay) when they go into standby mode, which causes the speakers to "see" an unterminated cable and this can switch them back on.

You can test the cabling by plugging the speakers into an iPod or similar portable music player using the minijack to RCA adapter that you mentioned in your post.  This should give clear sound without any noise while the iPod is connected.

Please let me know how you get on and I will be pleased to assist further so that this can be resolved for you.

Kind regards, Steve.

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nethawk replied on Sat, Apr 16 2016 5:00 PM

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Hi Steve,

Thanks for coming back to me.

Honestly I don't think there is any issue related to the cables.

It seems like the "stand by" aka "ON but not music" noise is quite more audible than in other speakers I have, may be due their higher power.

I will visit a B&O dealer to try another pair of BeoLab3 and understand if this is normal or not, but probably it will be normal.

If anybody else have another clue, just let me know.

Many thanks,

Alex

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Steve at Sounds Heavenly replied on Sat, Apr 16 2016 7:46 PM

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Hi nethawk,

Thanks for the update.  This could just be electrical interference from a nearby electrical device affecting the speakers.  I would suggest powering off nearby devices while the speakers are switched on but no music is playing.

Common culprits for electrical noise include: LED or low voltage lighting, air con compressors, fridge freezers, aquariums, mains inverters (as used on solar panels) and laptop chargers.

If you need any further help, please feel free to ask.

Kind regards, Steve.