Lifeformed Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 I just bought a used pair of AKG K240 headphones, and it's my first "expensive" set of headphones. When nothing is playing, I get really quiet and subtle staticky noise. It doesn't bother me, but is it normal? Also, a big problem is that whenever I play something with a piano in it, if the piano is playing any non-bass notes somewhat loudly, there is very noticeable static. It seems to only happen with pianos. Is that something fixable? My headphones are connected through a set of cheap speakers. Do those speakers make any difference, or will it sound better if I just connect it directly to my computer? If I do, is there any way to increase the volume (since there's no knob on the headphones)? My old cheap pair of headphones had similar problems. Maybe it's the computer? Also, what I find odd is that when I do something like move the mouse, the ambient static changes a little. So if I move my scroll wheel, the static becomes a little different, and when I flick my cursor around, it changes too. Is this normal? Are my headphones just messed up or is it something that has to do with my computer itself? Thanks for your help guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zylance Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 I just bought a used pair of AKG K240 headphones, and it's my first "expensive" set of headphones.When nothing is playing, I get really quiet and subtle staticky noise. It doesn't bother me, but is it normal? Also, a big problem is that whenever I play something with a piano in it, if the piano is playing any non-bass notes somewhat loudly, there is very noticeable static. It seems to only happen with pianos. Is that something fixable? My headphones are connected through a set of cheap speakers. Do those speakers make any difference, or will it sound better if I just connect it directly to my computer? If I do, is there any way to increase the volume (since there's no knob on the headphones)? My old cheap pair of headphones had similar problems. Maybe it's the computer? Also, what I find odd is that when I do something like move the mouse, the ambient static changes a little. So if I move my scroll wheel, the static becomes a little different, and when I flick my cursor around, it changes too. Is this normal? Are my headphones just messed up or is it something that has to do with my computer itself? Thanks for your help guys. There is your problem. The speakers probably have poor connections for the little headphone port, which will cause you the static. Try plugging them in directly into the headphone port of your sound card; if it's any decent, they should sound wonderful. Edit: Also, the static with the scroll wheel and cursor are a product of the sound card being too close to the hard drive, or it being unshielded. I'm guessing you have an integrated card, so you may have to go out and buy a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeformed Posted June 2, 2006 Author Share Posted June 2, 2006 Thanks! But when I plug them into my computer I can't really adjust the volume. Even if I pull the volume control settings all the way up, it's still kinda quiet. Is there some way to make it louder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zylance Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 Make sure you adjust the volume of both the program (like winamp) and the computer (like the little windows sound controlling thing). If there still isn't enough sound, you might have to buy a headphone amp, like this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion303 Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 The 240s are pretty quiet to begin with. Do you know the impedance on yours? The set I got is 55 ohm, which means I have to crank the volume to get something out of them. -steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeformed Posted June 3, 2006 Author Share Posted June 3, 2006 55? Mine says 600 ohms. They seem to work pretty well. The volume is about just right with the computer settings turned all the way up. But I can't get any louder than this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kriko Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 The AKG K240S (studio) is the low impedance (55Ω) version of the original 600Ω pair. The higher impecance the coil has, the higher must the voltage be to come up to the same power. This means that the higher the impedance, the "harder is it to drive" them. Compare a 4Ω speaker to an 8Ω for example. The principe is the same. Iv'e listened on a pair of K240 on a computer and with the volume on max from a integrated soundcard the volume is quite enough. If you want higher volume you need a better soundcard or a headphone-amp. If you have a cheap built-in soundcard, the noise guaranteed comes from the soundcard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion303 Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 Listen to Zoola and Kriko. At 600 Ohms you need a headphone amp. -steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeformed Posted June 3, 2006 Author Share Posted June 3, 2006 All of the circuit stuff I learned from Physics class is coming back to me now V = IR... Thanks guys, I'll take a look at 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgx Posted June 3, 2006 Share Posted June 3, 2006 The weird noises you hear upon computer activity - I get that too on my onboard laptop audio. It usually happens when my wireless network card is moving data. I'd really suggest getting a new nice sound card if what you are using is just onboard sound. You're not going to hear the goodness of good heaphones with crap onboard sound. A new card might have more output power too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.