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Posted By: Stymie Sub hum won't go away - 12/09/06 01:09 AM
Need some additional troubleshooting steps as the standard ones aren't working. Unless I'm doing something wrong, which is very possible.

My system had been playing for several hours when the sub started humming very loudly. I shut everything down (switching off the power on the EP500) thinking it may have gotten hot or something. So, I waited an hour or so and switched the 500 back on before turning on the revceiver. The 500 started back with the hum. Ground loop issue? I unplugged the line in on the 500 and it still hummed. I then moved the 500 plug (all components are plugged into a Tripplite HT10DBS)to a different circuit. Still she hums. This is with the line in disconnected from the sub. I then disconnected the incoming cable connection from the HT10DBS. It feeds into this before it feeds into the cable box. Still she hums. I then disconnected the outgoing cable from the HT10DBS that actually feeds the cable box. So, incoming is disconnected from the HT10DBS and the outgoing is disconnected. The line in on the sub is disconnected and the plug is on a different circuit via a construction grade extension cord. I even tried using a two prong plug to eliminate the ground prong. No dice.

Any suggestions? I was planning to head to the store to get an isolator, but if the cable is disconnected from the equipment and it's still humming, would it make a difference?

This really blows as I was planning to watch Miami Vice the movie tonight.

All suggestions are appreciated.

Edit: Meant to add that I also removed the chasis ground on the back of the 500 and it still hums. Just to clarify, there is nothing connected to the 500 during these tests.
Stymie
Posted By: JohnK Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/09/06 02:57 AM
Sty, from your description it appears that you've taken all the steps to identify/eliminate a ground loop and that isn't the problem. Especially since this suddenly developed after playing for quite a while it would seem to indicate a defect in the sub amp. Probably you should contact Axiom directly as to how to proceed.
Posted By: Stymie Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/09/06 03:04 AM
Thanks for the reply John. Contacting Axiom was my next course of action. I was hoping that I missed something though.
Posted By: Ajax Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/09/06 04:32 AM
Gotta agree with John. Give Axiom a call. Sorry you have to go through this. The good news is, Axiom will take good care of you.
Posted By: BrenR Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/09/06 09:53 AM
Quote:

This really blows as I was planning to watch Miami Vice the movie tonight.


Did you, by any chance, let on to the sub that you were about to watch THE MIAMI VICE MOVIE?!?

I'd try to rule out suicide before calling Axiom.

Bren R.
Posted By: real80sman Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/09/06 12:52 PM
Stymie,

Have you tried step 8 in your manual?

Quote:

GROUND LOOP:
If your subwoofer is producing a 60 Hz hum; remove the Chassis Ground Screw. If this does not solve the 60 Hz hum, call 1-866-244-8796 or consult the full manual at www.axiomaudio.com/manual_ep500600.html





This may take care of it.
Posted By: MarkSJohnson Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/09/06 02:36 PM
Shawn:

Stymie wrote:
Quote:

Edit: Meant to add that I also removed the chasis ground on the back of the 500 and it still hums.




So it looks like he DID try that....
Posted By: real80sman Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/09/06 03:28 PM
Well, there you go! I read his post twice and missed it both times. I really need to SLOW DOWN and absorb everything I read before replying.
Posted By: Stymie Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/10/06 05:51 AM
I opened a ticket with Axiom this morning and they're going to get back to me with the next steps. Hopefully it's not fatal.

Maybe I should have gone with Superman over Miami Vice.
Posted By: SirQuack Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/10/06 03:37 PM
So have you tried removing the ground screw as mentioned above?
Posted By: Wid Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/10/06 04:00 PM

It's been said 3 times he already tried removing the ground screw.
Posted By: SirQuack Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/10/06 04:06 PM
Hey man, any chance you tried removing the ground screw.
Posted By: Stymie Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/10/06 04:34 PM
Quote:

Hey man, any chance you tried removing the ground screw.




I......will......not......succumb.....to.....peer pressure!!!

I think I'm having LFE withdrawal.
Posted By: SirQuack Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/10/06 08:47 PM
Have you ruled out your house wiring? Maybe run a very long extension cord to your neighbors to see if you still get the hum.
Posted By: real80sman Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/10/06 09:58 PM
I know for sure that I wouldn't get the HUM at the neighbours. But then again, I don't get the HUM here either.
Posted By: danmagicman7 Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/10/06 10:40 PM
Have you tried turning the sub off?
Posted By: Stymie Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/10/06 11:57 PM
Quote:

Have you ruled out your house wiring? Maybe run a very long extension cord to your neighbors to see if you still get the hum.




Unfortunately, that's not an option. If Axiom doesn't have a quick fix, I may take it to a friend's house to see if it does it over there.


Quote:

I know for sure that I wouldn't get the HUM at the neighbours. But then again, I don't get the HUM here either.




Bummer, no hummer.


Posted By: real80sman Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/11/06 12:25 AM

Posted By: SirQuack Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/11/06 12:37 AM
Yeah, that 80's guy is starting to get up there in age. As am I, ha ha
Posted By: PC_Innovations Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/11/06 03:59 AM
You may want to try & unplug your cable box. It's fairly common in my area to have this be the problem. If it goes away, you may want purchase one of these Ground loop isolation transformer Works like a champ everytime for us.
Posted By: danmagicman7 Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/11/06 05:45 AM
Quote:

You may want to try & unplug your cable box. It's fairly common in my area to have this be the problem. If it goes away, you may want purchase one of these Ground loop isolation transformer Works like a champ everytime for us.




He's already done that.
Posted By: bridgman Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/11/06 11:20 AM
Does the sub hum if you disconnect it from all the audio equipment ? Don't play with the levels, leave everything as is, just disconnect the audio cables.

EDIT -- in the original post it said the sub hummed even when the line in was disconnected. Folks, I don't think this is a ground loop.
Posted By: FordPrefect Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/11/06 07:02 PM
perhaps it doesn't know the words......
Posted By: Stymie Re: Sub hum won't go away - 12/13/06 11:08 PM
Well, the 500's amp has been removed and is on the slow train to Canada.

I've been complaining to my wife about missing the 500's contribution to movies and such and she indicated that she couldn't tell the difference!

Hmmmm..... maybe I should get a second 500. I think she'd notice two of 'em.
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