Speaker Buzzing Noise Fix: Get Rid of That Annoying Hum For Good
By Robert Jones · 2026-03-09
That incessant buzzing or humming from your speakers can really ruin a good listening session. I've been there, pulling my hair out trying to track down the source.
# Speaker Buzzing Noise Fix: Get Rid of That Annoying Hum For Good Right, let's talk about that horrible buzzing. We've all heard it, haven't we? That persistent hum from your speakers, whether it's a subtle background drone or a full-blown racket that makes listening to anything a chore. Honestly, after twenty-odd years of messing around with speakers, subs, and full home cinema setups, I can tell you it's one of the most common complaints I hear. And it's maddening, plain and simple. It can pop up out of nowhere, or sometimes it's always been there, just quietly simmering in the background. Good news is, more often than not, it's something you can sort yourself without needing to fork out for a new system. I've diagnosed more buzzing speakers than I've had hot dinners, from tiny desktop setups to enormous multi-channel systems. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get stuck in. ## What Causes That Buzz? The Usual Suspects Before we can fix it, we need to understand *why* it's happening. Most speaker buzzing comes down to a few key culprits. Usually, it's an electrical issue, often a "ground loop". Think of it like this: your various audio components are all plugged into different sockets, and the electricity takes a slightly different path to "ground" in each one. This creates a tiny electrical current, which your speakers then amplify as a hum. Other times, it could be shoddy cables, interference from other electronics, or even faulty equipment itself. We'll tackle these one by one. ## My Top Tips and Product Recommendations for Fixing Buzzing Speakers Over the years, I've tried just about every trick in the book. Here are a few things that have consistently worked for me, along with some gear I genuinely recommend. ### 1. The Behringer HUM ELIMINATOR HD400 This little box is a godsend for ground loops. I picked one of these up last autumn and it's barely left my desk since. If you've got a classic 50/60 Hz hum, this is often the first thing to try. It basically breaks the ground loop without messing with your audio signal. I've used it on everything from cheap desktop speakers to my main studio monitors, and it cleans up the signal beautifully. **Pros:** * Very effective for ground loops * Compact and easy to install * Passive design, so no power needed * Affordable **Cons:** * Only addresses ground loops, not other types of noise * RCA connections, so you might need adapters for 3.5mm or XLR ### 2. iFi iPower2 Noise Blocker Now this is a bit different. If your active speakers, DAC, or other audio component is buzzing because of a noisy power supply, the iFi iPower2 can work wonders. I had a particularly stubborn hum coming from a set of active desktop speakers a while back, and I suspected it was the dirty mains power. Swapped out the standard power brick for one of these, and boom – silence. It actively cancels out electrical noise. Comes in various voltages and plug types too, which is handy. **Pros:** * Excellent at reducing power supply noise * Multiple voltage options * Noticeably improves sound clarity in many cases **Cons:** * Can be a bit pricey for just a power supply * Only works for devices that use a DC power adapter ### 3. StarTech.com Ground Loop Isolator (3.5mm) For those of you with a buzzing coming through a 3.5mm AUX cable – maybe from your phone, laptop, or car stereo – this little gizmo is a lifesaver. It's dirt cheap, tiny, and incredibly effective at knocking out hum from these connections. I keep one in my car's glovebox, just in case. If you're using a computer with integrated audio, this is often the culprit. **Pros:** * Very affordable * Super simple to install * Great for 3.5mm connections, common with computers and mobile devices **Cons:** * Only for 3.5mm connections * Doesn't fix other types of noise ### 4. AudioQuest Evergreen RCA Cables Alright, this might sound obvious, but quality cables really do make a difference. I've seen countless instances where a cheap, poorly shielded cable was the primary source of hum. AudioQuest make some cracking cables, and their Evergreen series is a fantastic sweet spot between performance and price. They're well-shielded, which helps reject interference, and the connectors are solid. I don't advocate for spending a fortune on "magic" cables, but a decent set like these can clean things up considerably. You wouldn't believe how many issues I’ve sorted just by swapping out flaky interconnects. **Pros:** * Excellent shielding reduces interference * Durable and well-made * Improves overall signal integrity **Cons:** * More expensive than basic cables (but worth it) * Won't fix a severe ground loop on its own ### 5. Ferrite Chokes/Clamps These are those little cylindrical lumps you sometimes see on power cables or USB cables. You can buy them separately and clamp them onto your existing cables. They work by suppressing high-frequency noise that can travel along electrical wires and interfere with your audio signal. I've found them surprisingly effective on power cables, speaker wire, and even USB cables connecting to a DAC. Not a miracle cure, but a solid part of the arsenal against noise. **Pros:** * Inexpensive * Easy to install (just clip them on) * Good for high-frequency interference **Cons:** * Less effective for low-frequency hum (ground loops) * Results can vary depending on the type of noise ## Comparison Table | Product | Best For | Type of Noise Addressed | Connection Type | Price Guide | | :-------------------------- | :------------------------- | :---------------------------------- | :----------------------- | :---------- | | Behringer HUM ELIMINATOR HD400 | Ground loops (RCA) | Low-frequency hum | RCA | £ | | iFi iPower2 | Noisy power supplies | High and low-frequency electrical noise | DC Barrel (various sizes)| £££ | | StarTech 3.5mm Isolator | Ground loops (3.5mm) | Low-frequency hum | 3.5mm | £ | | AudioQuest Evergreen RCA | Cable interference, poor shielding | General noise, RFI | RCA | ££ | | Ferrite Chokes/Clamps | High-frequency interference | High-frequency buzz, RFI | Clip-on to cables | £ | ## What to Look For When Diagnosing and Fixing Buzzing Speakers Chasing down a buzz can be a bit like detective work. Here's my thought process when I'm trying to figure out where that nuisance sound is coming from. ### 1. Isolate the Source The first thing I always do is try to isolate the problem. Unplug **everything** from your amplifier or active speakers except the power. Is the buzz still there? If so, the problem is likely with the amplifier/active speaker unit itself, or its power supply. If the buzz goes away, start plugging things back in *one by one*: first your source (CD player, DAC, turntable), then specific interconnects. The moment the buzz returns, you've found your culprit. ### 2. Check Your Cables Honestly, nine times out of ten, it's a cable issue. Are they properly seated? Are they damaged? Are they running alongside power cables, picking up interference? Try swapping out suspect interconnects with known good ones. Pay particular attention to cheap, unshielded RCA or 3.5mm cables. Longer cables are also more prone to picking up noise. ### 3. Grounding Ground loops are responsible for a huge amount of speaker hum. This is where the Behringer HD400 or StarTech isolator comes in handy. Make sure all your audio equipment is plugged into the *same* wall socket or power strip if possible. This can often help eliminate ground loops by ensuring everything shares a common ground path. Don