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Hello all,

Yes I have searched and found similar threads on this problem, but couldn't find a solution. I just bought a pair of KRK RP5s, and I am currently connecting them with a 1/8' cable from my Macbook's headphone out to the unbalanced ins on the rp5s. Unfortunately there is a high pitched/low volume hiss when the cable is connected.

The krk's power is connected to a surge protecter...could this be an issue? I also have an external usbhard drive and a usb hub connectd to my mac.
Is it to due with the power source...or should I uprade to higher quality cables? Or is this to be expected using RCA unbalanced cables and should I use XLR or 1/4 instead?

Thanks guys, i'm really at a loss here.

get an audio interface and run balanced trs cables if u can if not xlr, personnaly i dont like rca's

someone told me you need to get rid of the third prong ground with those 3 to 2 prong converters

i have the same problem...i haven't went to radio shack yet tho

hurlingdervish wrote:someone told me you need to get rid of the third prong ground with those 3 to 2 prong converters

breaking off of prongs is easily some of the worst advice ever




the best fix is an external soundcard with balanced outputs and a decent quality power conditioner that you plug everything into

either the cables are cheap and not shielded properly and you're picking up some rf interferance or you're getting internal noise and power noise from your macbook
or a ground loop

i love when work is slow

ScooterJack wrote:

hurlingdervish wrote:someone told me you need to get rid of the third prong ground with those 3 to 2 prong converters

breaking off of prongs is easily some of the worst advice ever

then back it up and say why

if it works why not?

why spend 500 dollars for a 5 dollar fix

and no one is breaking off anything...its a converter

hurlingdervish wrote:

ScooterJack wrote:

hurlingdervish wrote:someone told me you need to get rid of the third prong ground with those 3 to 2 prong converters

breaking off of prongs is easily some of the worst advice ever

then back it up and say why

if it works why not?

why spend 500 dollars for a 5 dollar fix

and no one is breaking off anything...its a converter

using a 3 to 2 converter is the same as breaking off the ground prong. they're called groundlifts for a reason. it's a cheap but dangerous fix that can put your whole setup at risk for surge damage. check your outlets with an outlet tester to make sure they're properly grounded. they're about $2 at any hardware store. look into getting an uninterruptible power supply if your wiring is dodgy, although honestly it's a good idea for anyone in the music production game. nothing worse than the power going out when you forgot to hit save for the last hour of work...

but if its a laptop with a battery and its plugged into a surge protector than theres surely no problem then?

i have the same problem but only when the laptop is charging...so whats the harm then to just throw the converter on the charging plug when its going into the surge protector

just don't ask for sympathy when your gear fries

ScooterJack wrote:just don't ask for sympathy when your gear fries

but im asking you

how would it fry if its on the surge protector and only for the laptop battery power supply?

I don't have experience with Macs, but I've heard from more than a few people that the onboard soundcard is REALLY noisy...you can hear a hum even with headphones (maybe you need really good ones).

I also use KRK RP5's with my PC.

I would recommend one of two things:


1. Get an audio interface, even a cheap one. I got a $35 Behringer UCA202, and it sounds fine (and a hell of a lot better than an onboard card).

2. Hook the PC soundcard up to a grounded mixer, and hook up the monitors to that. I use a shitty ancient American DJ 2-channel mixer, but again, it still does the job.

I'd recommend both, but the soundcard problem will probably be all you need.

thanks for the responses guys...i actually just noticed that when i disconnect my printer usb cable from my usb hub or unplug the power from my printer the sound actually gets worse and sounds like static.....is this any indication of where the problem is coming from?

hurlingdervish wrote:

ScooterJack wrote:just don't ask for sympathy when your gear fries

but im asking you

how would it fry if its on the surge protector and only for the laptop battery power supply?

there's a reason the surge protector has a ground.....

take the chance of frying your laptop instead of investing under a 150$... your prerogative

mta7388 wrote:thanks for the responses guys...i actually just noticed that when i disconnect my printer usb cable from my usb hub or unplug the power from my printer the sound actually gets worse and sounds like static.....is this any indication of where the problem is coming from?

it's the internal soundcard picking up noise from other busses/currents etc inside your laptop. Internal cards aren't designed for 'performance' or quality for that matter.


get an external card, preferably with balanced outputs

audio interface it is

too bad the presonus inspire that i had crapped out and doesn't have balanced outs anyway!

mta7388 wrote:audio interface it is

too bad the presonus inspire that i had crapped out and doesn't have balanced outs anyway!

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you should check out focusrite audio interfaces. they have some great products that might be just what you're looking for, and most of them come with excellent mic preamps.