Static interference from powerbook and thru my speakers is driving me crazy

Question

I am using the powerbook 1.67, an airport express and klipsh speakers for my sound. there is a mexican radio station that is playing at a very low but very annoying level thru the speakers. I have a 2.4 cordless phone on my desk as well as a printer plugged into the AX. I unplugged the phone and it is not coming from there. I restarted the AX as well as the modem and it's still there. The only way it stops is when I unplug the speakers. So the speakers themselves are somehow picking up this interference it looks like. Any suggestions? It's driving me crazy.
I wrote to the speaker company:
I am getting terrible radio/static
interference on my Klipsch computer speakers. I
have them plugged directly into my MAC laptop and
have an almost full signal from a mexican radio
station. I tried unplugging the modem, unplugging
the printer, moving the speakers, etc. All to no
avail. It makes it unbearable to use my speakers
unless turned way up. What can be done??? Thanks -
They wrote back:
I am very sorry to hear of your problem. Try
plugging the speakers into another source other
than your computer, eg. CD player, MP3 etc. and
see if the static problem follows the speakers.
Let me know what you find.
When replyling to this e-mail please include
original and all replies.
Promedia Dept.
Klipsch Group Inc.
I wrote back again:
I plugged the speakers directly into an iPod and the static is not there. But if plug into the Mac laptop right next to it, the radio interference is there. I closed iTunes and it is still there.
+INTERESTING that there is no radio static from the iPod, but my silver Powerbook G4 sends out the static the second it is plugged in.+
+*and now the speaker company wrote back again*....+
Since the static did not follow the speaker to another source at least you now know that the problem is not in the speakers. I would have the sound card in your Mac checked, something seems to be sending out a strong enough magnetic wave to overcome the shielding in the speakers.
Thank You,
When replyling to this e-mail please include original and all replies.
Promedia Dept.
Klipsch Group Inc.

Answer 1

That is unfortunate to put up with.
There might still be some simple cures yet to try.
The entire house wiring may be one cause picking up the source and is using your devices as final output.
1. I'd look for a power conditioned master brick to plug your PowerBook, and other devices.
USP back up power devices can also condition the power lines noise.
There are all types available as listed:
http://www.thecablepro.com/cableDetail.php?cID=120&cgID=1
Each of the 12 outlets is individually filtered and double filtered from every other outlet providing maximum component to component isolation.
http://www.crutchfield.com/ search 'surge'
2. The Cables: as mentioned where chokes are already in place on them. Most USB come with them.
3. The Speakers: Not sure, but they must be the self powered type as well from AC wall outlet. That brand is known for high quality.
Could foil the inside of cabinets “Faraday Cage” to reduce radio signals.
4. AC Outlets: Are they 3 prong grounded type?
Check your fuse box area to see if a ground cable
(roughly 4-6 gauge) is fastened to plumbing, and should be.
You can also pick up a ground fault checker that just plugs into outlet to verify correct outlet wiring. A HomeDepot tool about $6.
5. Lead from PowerBook to speakers:
If this lead is extra long leading to speakers, it too could gather radio.
If you have extra cat 5 laying around, convert the ends to make alternate lead. Each pair in the cable is color coded like Blue/Blue Wt. These pairs are twisted to shield out interference together with foil rapped covering. Or get shielded cable.
In the old days of Amps doing all the power to speakers, some people would have a pile of wire rolled up behind speaker, and it also made a perfect antenna.
Lamp cords: Make sure these cords are not mixed in with your devices. As in crossing over each other.
Dimmers: If you have lamps on line dimmers, they can go bad over time and cause interference.
Then back to circuit panel and cut off each circuit to isolate other sources.
Hopefully you solve it.