Shielding issues Logitech Audio systems resulting in Popping and Humming sound

Hello,

We, members of the forum 'Gathering of Tweakers', specifically Het Logitech PLOPJES probleem topic DEEL 4, started this topic in the Netherlands due to an overwhelming number of complaints concerning noise issues regarding Logitech Audio Systems.
This involves, in particular, the Z-5500 and X-530 speaker set, but also other Logitech audio models suffer from this issue.

Let us first explain what the problems are about. There are 3 main issues:

1. "Popping" noises from the speaker system. When light switches, blenders, fridges or other electrical appliances are switched on or off, a very loud and disturbing "popping" noise is generated in the audio systems.
Sometimes the volume of this “pop” is at such a loud level, that you do not want to be in the same room when it occurs.

2. An irritating permanent ‘humming noise’ coming from the subwoofer.

3. And in some occasions the Z-5500 picks up radio signals that can be heard. And that without any other appliances connected.

Since most people do not realize that the problems are part of their Logitech speaker system, they usually blame their indoor electrical system or other electrical appliances.
This idea was (and still is) stimulated by the things mentioned in the customer support section on Logitech's website.
As a result, many people are buying EMI filters, which of course do not provide a solution.

Some members have started the initiative and contacted Logitech about these issues in order to solve the problems.
At first, Logitech even denied that a problem existed which affected their speaker systems.
However, a few members, who are qualified engineers, did investigate the Z-5500 and some other audio models and figured out exactly what is causing the noise problems.
With some minor modifications they managed to solve almost completely the noise issues.

It became very clear that the noise problem is a result of a design error and affects not only the Z-5500 and the X-530, but also other Logitech audio models.
There is no doubt that the Logitech design staff has repeatedly underestimated the importance of a proper shielding of the respective audio units.
May we point out that it is common knowledge that a proper shielding of audio equipment is essential, in order to avoid noise problems.

However, it took an incredible 5 months for Logitech to accept this fact.
Due to our efforts Logitech was not able to deny any longer that a serious problem exists regarding their audio units.
Since Logitech showed no initiative at all to change their FAQ section, we had to press hard for Logitech to do so!
As a result the FAQ were somewhat altered and a refund policy, concerning the Z-5500 as well as the X-530, is offered.

May we draw your attention to the fact that Logitech is still talking about a "production error". However, the noise problems are definitely a result of a design error!

Now, 8 months later, after many emails, phone calls, meetings, prototype testing and even some visits of members of Logitech’s Technical staff (to test some experimental units at the homes of members), we feel that all our efforts were in vain.
There are hardly any improvements at all, we all still have a defective audio unit.
Nothing constructive has been undertaken by Logitech in order to solve the design issues!
We feel that Logitech has been buying time in order for us to lose interest and to prevent us from going public with this issue.

What strikes us most, is that Logitech is still selling their audio products worldwide, while realizing very well that these products suffer from a design issue.
We feel that selling a product with a defect, to customers who trust Logitech to provide a product which will perform according to the things mentioned in the sales literature, is far from fair practise.

Last but not least, Logitech is trying to make us believe that the noise (popping) problem is very localized and only concerns The Netherlands and Belgium.
However, this is a far cry from the reality.
By using Google it is not very hard to find many, many, forums (worldwide) that are related to this “popping" problem.

Reason why we feel we have to share this information with other (potential) Logitech customers worldwide, bearing in mind that this action will make Logitech seriously consider to take proper and constructive action in order to solve these design issues.


Best regards,

The Forum members

Representatives:

BvB (tm030614)
RV
MvH
DW
RC

If you have the problem to, we would be happy if you sent us a E-mail: [email protected]

 

Here are some quick things to check for:

Make sure all connections going in and out of the A/V receiver are secure and hooked up properly.

Try resetting the A/V receiver by unplugging it from the wall outlet, waiting at least 2 minutes, and then reconnecting the power.

Try unplugging any powered appliances and moving away any magnetic devices near your A/V receiver to reduce interference.

Ensure that all equipment and cables are properly grounded if necessary.

Make sure no speaker wire has become loose or bare.

Check the source (ie cassette, CD) that you are trying to play for scratches, dirt and dust.

Check to make sure the treble and bass controls aren’t set too high.

 

Good points, but unfortunatly they don't (ore atleast most of the times) work for the Z-5500.
Like the TS said, we have some members who are professional electrical engineers and they stripped some Z-5500 from people who had these popping and humming noises. The conclusion was the same: the powersupply in the subwoofer and the wirering to the POD and shielding/ground in the POD are responsable for the problems.

After making a special steel-plated shield around the powersupply, rewirering to the POD, shielding the inside of it with aluminumfoil and grounding it all, the popping/humming noises were 99% redused! Now why won't Logitech do the same, we keep asking ourselves.
Logitech (who has confirmed that there are 'issue's' with the Z-5500 months ago) answer is that they believe the units will not pass FCC regulations if they do so. We are not so sure about that.

But the main thing is, they keep selling the Z-5500 anyway, while they know that there is a problem with it! Just by giving a refund- ore replacementoffer is not a solution and we think many people will think the same way.

*Please forgive my poor english-grammar

 

Well, um, thanks for sharing that with us

Personally if I was looking for a decent sound, I wouldn't purchase PC surround sound speakers anyway

 

i have the z5500 speaker system, i get this damnd humming sound and popping sound, it doesent bother me much as i only get the pop when somthing switched on or off, but humming is there all time, cant hear it when i have computer on tho.

Z5500 is one of the best all in one surround sound systems out there, its better than most home theatre all in ones, only way to really get better is by getting seperates, like floorstanding or bookshelf speakers and a decent amp, somthing £400 + no AV system brand new for £200 would be better than the z5500 or any of the other zxxx or zxxxx models, just thought i would say that.


Will any of these problems affecting the z5500 system shorten the life span of the product, or cause serious problem for intance, the sub not been able to be pushed to its full potential, as i turn the sub up and get clicking, as a result of the sub apparently bottoming out becouse i push it far too hard, and i was amazed i was pushing it far too hard, for god sake its a 10" drive with 188watt going through it, and watts aint really the main factor anyway, maybe the driver is low quality?