New B&W MM1 computer speakers emit static

[macrumorsuser10]

I just bought the Bowers and Wilkins MM-1 speakers for my MacBook Pro and Windows PC desktop.

For some reason, when I turn off any music or other audio on the computer, I hear hissing or static (white noise) coming from the speakers when I plug them in via USB or RCA into either the MacBook Pro or my Windows PC. When I unplug the USB or RCA cables, I do not hear any hiss, which leads me to believe that the cables are unshielded or there is a problem with the speaker's audio circuitry.

The static is audible when I place my ear up to the speakers. At night when there is no ambient noise, the static can be heard from where I sit.

Given that the speakers are $500, I am pretty upset. I have only been using headphones for the last several years, I do not know if this static is typical. Shouldn't the speakers be dead silent when no audio signal is coming from the computer?

 

[jpcyr]

You are not alone. I have the exact same problem. I did try to plug the right speaker to many different USB ports and I have the same problem. I did try to plug it to another computer and many different outlets in the house, same problem.

They say on their website that the speakers are shielded and I expect to be for $500. I'm returning the speakers right away. Very sad.

 

[macrumorsuser10]

You are not alone. I have the exact same problem. I did try to plug the right speaker to many different USB ports and I have the same problem. I did try to plug it to another computer and many different outlets in the house, same problem.

They say on their website that the speakers are shielded and I expect to be for $500. I'm returning the speakers right away. Very sad.

Did you purchase replacement speakers? What did you get?

I still have my MM-1 speakers, and yes, they are still hissing badly. It's quite infuriating since I am well past my return window, so I will have to sell them on Ebay. The people who rave about these speakers must have bad hearing or are sitting somewhere with a lot of ambient noise.

To replace them, I'm looking at the high-end Focal CMS units sold through the Apple store.

 

[crumpler]

Did you purchase replacement speakers? What did you get?

I still have my MM-1 speakers, and yes, they are still hissing badly. It's quite infuriating since I am well past my return window, so I will have to sell them on Ebay. The people who rave about these speakers must have bad hearing or are sitting somewhere with a lot of ambient noise.

To replace them, I'm looking at the high-end Focal CMS units sold through the Apple store.

I'm assuming you are looking for 2.0 speakers? I wanted 2.0 speakers as well because i didn't want to contend with an additional subwoofer and got the Harman Kardon GLA-55.

Am loving them so far!

 

[scorpsgsxr]

i have a set of these and just listened to see if they hiss and they are silent .
get in touch with Bowers & Wilkins even if they are past the return window,
the people at Bowers & Wilkins are a nice bunch, i had problems with a Zepplin, and that was past the return date by at least six months they replaced it. I have had and still have some Bose ,Gla55, siting up close to the computer MM-1's sound brilliant

 

[misterbig]

I auditioned the MM-1s at a hi-fi store about a year ago and during playback in iTunes a loud static noise came up several times within a 2 minute span. I asked the store assistant and he said it had to do with the DAC circuitry. I immediately decided not to buy because of this huge problem, and I can't believe that one year later it's still unresolved. Very disappointing considering I have the P5s and really wanted the MM-1s on my desk as well.

 

[macrumorsuser10]

i have a set of these and just listened to see if they hiss and they are silent .
get in touch with Bowers & Wilkins even if they are past the return window,
the people at Bowers & Wilkins are a nice bunch, i had problems with a Zepplin, and that was past the return date by at least six months they replaced it. I have had and still have some Bose ,Gla55, siting up close to the computer MM-1's sound brilliant

Do you mind answering these questions:

1. What computer is your MM-1 hooked up to? Via USB?

2. Are you listening in a quiet room, preferably at night?

3. Do you have good hearing? How old are you?

 

[scorpsgsxr]

Do you mind answering these questions:

1. What computer is your MM-1 hooked up to? Via USB?

2. Are you listening in a quiet room, preferably at night?

3. Do you have good hearing? How old are you?

I have them hooked up to a 27 inch iMac 2.8 i5 via usb

i am listening to them in a quiet room in a empty house both day and night

I have excellent hearing and have had through the years some really high end audio systems with monitors like rogers export studio monitors and KLH 9's that i think in the early 70's retailed at over £3000 ,everyone has different preferences to what they feel sounds good
i am in my late 40s and listen to everything from punk to jazz to rock to classic and pop.
My friend has been round tonight he is a sound engineer in film and telly I asked him if he could hear any static and he said no they sounded excellent and pure and would like some himself.

again get onto Bowers and Wilkins and say they aint right

the only thing i would say against them is the right speaker gets very hot on top, i have had these nearly a year and they have only got better the more I have used them
no good to fill a room or if you like booming false bass
but if you are a audiophile and you get these working right you will get a pure sound unrivalled by most other high end computer speakers
hope this helps

 

[MiamiC70]

no issues with mine.
Sound great and the first question everyone asks is "shere is the sub". LOL

 

[macrumorsuser10]

I have them hooked up to a 27 inch iMac 2.8 i5 via usb

i am listening to them in a quiet room in a empty house both day and night

I have excellent hearing and have had through the years some really high end audio systems with monitors like rogers export studio monitors and KLH 9's that i think in the early 70's retailed at over £3000 ,everyone has different preferences to what they feel sounds good
i am in my late 40s and listen to everything from punk to jazz to rock to classic and pop.
My friend has been round tonight he is a sound engineer in film and telly I asked him if he could hear any static and he said no they sounded excellent and pure and would like some himself.

again get onto Bowers and Wilkins and say they aint right

the only thing i would say against them is the right speaker gets very hot on top, i have had these nearly a year and they have only got better the more I have used them
no good to fill a room or if you like booming false bass
but if you are a audiophile and you get these working right you will get a pure sound unrivalled by most other high end computer speakers
hope this helps

Thanks for the info. By the way, do you have the speakers plugged into a power strip or line conditioner, or is it plugged into the wall? Mine emits hissing in either case.

 

[scorpsgsxr]

Thanks for the info. By the way, do you have the speakers plugged into a power strip or line conditioner, or is it plugged into the wall? Mine emits hissing in either case.

anti spike power strip

have you tried seeing if headphones hiss and if you plug in headphones do the speakers still hiss? the dac would be working still

just a thought have you tried plugging the usb into a hub i had better results on some Bose doing that maybe the usb plug is picking up some interference