Static/popping sounds from headphones

I have the Audio Technica m50x that I recently purchased online and noticed some of the songs that I listen to have static/pop sound. I was just watched a couple episodes of House of Cards on Netflix, I noticed a lot of static/popping noise throughout the entire 1 hour show. I decided to download a episode of a TV show on the internet and didn't even notice a static/popping noise..

I am assuming that these popping/static is coming from Netflix and not my headphones but then there are a couple songs that I listen to on youtube and still hear static/popping noise.

edit: I just download the same tv episode of house of cards on my desktop and watched it over and noticed no popping/static..

any ideas how to fix? perhaps exchange them for a new pair?

 

Most likely a connection problem from your audio jack, those things are usually pieces of shit made for $2. They're damaged really easily even if you aren't rough with them.

Try it with another device and see if you have the issue.

 

May I ask if you are using this on your computer, do you have a microphone attached to the computer, unmuted and do you by chance keep your phone near it? Test that out and get back to us. I've had that issue a few times where a microphone tends to "pop" with a phone near it.

 

You're right, audio jack might be damaged or something idk. I plugged my head phones in a desktop (brand new ofc) and heard no static whatsoever within the first few seconds.

Here's whats funny that I already mentioned in my first post,

there was no static.popping when i downloaded the episode on my computer from a torrenting site. It makes completely no sense at all..


netflix: popping/static
download video from torrent: no popping/static

This is on my Laptop.

No microphone attached to laptop and disabled microphone

i keep a phone near my laptop

my headphones don't get the static/pop noise if i download the tv episode from a torrenting site so its weird

 

You're basically fucked, it can cost hundreds of dollars for that simple replacement. I hope you have a warranty lol. The audio jack on my laptop remains broken, luckily I have a nicer audio setup so it isn't needed.

I doubt it has to do with netflix vs download, the static can be sporadic.

 

I'm fucked and it can cost hundreds of dollars for a simple replacement? are you referring to my headphones? Headphones are literally brand new and can be exchanged/replaced but laptop.. well it's old

Warranty? On my headphones or laptop?

Would a DAC get rid of all static/popping noise?

 

1. The audio jack. $2 part but the entire laptop has to be ripped apart to fix generally :/

2. Warranty on the laptop.

3. A dac simply converts your digital audio into analog for your headphones. A $0.30 chip on your motherboard doesn't do it nearly as well as a $200+ dedicated device, so people will buy them to get cleaner audio. With your headphones it wouldn't be especially noticeable or worthwhile.

Technically yes, if you went through an amp/dac through usb you'd be circumventing the problem since you're not using the audio port. But it isn't worth the cost unless you're seriously serious about the audio fidelity.

 

what if i went with a cheap amp/dac through usb to get rid of static/popping

would that help a bit

i could prob spend up 200$ for a decent dac

 

Buy a schiit modi / vali

Amp and Dac combo for $200 - 250.

You have the adapter that came with the audio technica headphones right? To plug into a soundboard?

 

I have the adapter that came with the headphones. Do I really need an amp? I was just going to get a DAC only.

found a dac/amp combo - http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E07K-Por...s&ie=UTF8&qid=1425173083&sr=1-9&keywords=fiio

what you think about this? or should i just get the schiit modi alone?

 

I gave you my recommendation lol. You don't particularly need an amp per se, but having both (schiit modi/vali) will give you what you need and a lot of room to upgrade.

If its going to be used at a desktop there really isn't any other way to go. If it isn't I guess you could do that but they're NO WHERE near as good.

 

As DD has suggested here, the Schiit Modi/Vali (actually the Magni would be adequate for you) combo is an excellent pairing if you are stationary. That is the -highly- recommended combination for anyone starting off in the external audio area.

To clarify the answer most DACs are there simply to convert (read) what your computer is sending (binary 1s and 0s) and then convert it to what your amplifiers can actually output (sound). Most stationary DACs will not have a headphone port on them and so you need to get an adequate amplifier to produce the sound from the DAC.

Amplifiers are something that people tend to fight over: However in the short summary, they bring a better overall "presence" to headphones. If you purchase a DAC such as the Modi, you need the Vali to go with it to outsource the data collected by the DAC to your headphones.

Before going and purchasing any DAC/AMP, plug the headphones into your phone, find a computer at a local library or while at school, etc., and try streaming netflix (a different place from your laptop!). If there is no popping, then you know it's the jack in your laptop that is shot. If it still continues, then it's something with the headphones.

For more mobility, the Fiio E07K is a "decent" starter AMP/DAC from what I can read... but again it's only what I can read - I have not personally tried it.

Asking us about DACs and AMPs can only get you so far... If you want to find out more about specific types of DACs and AMPs, or to ask more questions you could check out http://www.head-fi.org/ ... they tend to do some rather in-depth reviews on DACs/Amps/etc. by people who go crazy over audio! DD and I both have opinions and they are exactly that. The people there will also have opinions as to where to start. Look and educate yourself before you make any decisions!

 

If I remember correctly I ended up going with the vali because it was a tube amp and there wasn't much of a price difference.

Thanks for posting the info.

 

If that's the case, then I would surely recommend the magni to Almond. If the tube goes and or is not taken care of properly, then you'd run into issues. A standard electronic DAC is more suitable in this case.

 

I've ran it 24/7 for a year which isn't recommended because the tubes expire after 10,000 hours iirc. Haven't had any kind of problem, but if something did happen schiit has excellent customer service and could get it taken care of.

Up to him, personally I prefer the sound ^_^

 

Try plugging it directly into the motherboard, or get a dedicated soundcard might help.