Fixing Noise Issues w/ KRK Rokit5 - REV J HD 

cant even hear your speakers over the sound of my speakers doing the same thing

ATTENTION. For those of you who are still having noise issues even after using balanced cables, go into your power options and choose either high, balanced, or power saver performance. The less power used the quieter the noise. On power saver mode I literally don't hear a thing.I literally tried EVERYTHING and this was the solution. It is definitely a power supply issue.

Thank you for putting out this video. I picked up the Scarlet 2i2 and the cables and it totally all of the crackling issues that I was having with my KRK 5's. They sound amazing now and zero crackling.

Didn't fix my issue but I appreciate how in depth you went into the problem, an informative video never the less.

Fixed my problem. Had TERRIBLE noise with RCA. Whenever I moved the mouse on my PC or changed websites or scrolled I'd get terrible interference. Before I found your video I had tried all the stuff you mentioned and even bought two Furman power conditioners for $79 each. That helped some, but the problem was as you said, within the PC itself. I switched from RCA cabled to 1/8 inch to regular 1/4" guitar cables and ran them from my Audiobox USB to my KRK Rokit 5's and issue was immediately resolved for the most part. I've ordered two balanced 10 ft. XLR Male to TRS Male cables from Monoprice for 8 bucks (total) to make sure I get rid of the most possible noise. I expect that I'll have a very clean sound at that point. Thanks for the video!

Thanx mate... Same problem with the KRK Rokit6's and was thinking about buying the Scarlett... Now I'm totally convinced... Thank you so much!

You aced this troubleshoot. Well done, thanks it helped me understand and get over it.

I thought, YES, finally a video that can sort out my hissing of one of my RP5. But this is technical as hell.

Very important: make sure every software for your Interface is installed!!! Fixed it for me.

I just purchased via Amazon (under $7) - Hosa CMS-110 3.5 mm TRS to 1/4" TRS Stereo Interconnect Cable and the noise problem was resolved immediately. If your 1/4" input is being used already on the back of your Rokit, you can purchase this item via Amazon (under $6) to split the 1/4 jack on your Rokit speaker: Hosa YPP-118 1/4" TRS to Dual 1/4" TRSF Y Cable. If you want to use the XLR input on your Rokit speaker instead, my guess is this item will do the same thing via Amazon (under $10): Hosa XVM-110M Right Angle 3.5 mm TRS to XLR3M Microphone Cable, 10 Feet. In summary, avoid the RCA input on the back of your Rokit when outputting computer audio to this speaker.

Hi. After watching your video it pushed me to try something as the interference for me has been a big problem since i bought these a year ago. Today i added an extension surge protected socket on one side of my room with nothing else plugged into it and now have my left monitor only plugged into another extension. Nothing fancy or expensive on either side but it has completely fixed my issues. There is literally no interference, static, crosstalk. None. It's the first time i've been mixing and not had to turn things up (even then still had that nagging noise) to try and counter the noise. So if anyone reads this. Try it and plug each monitor into a separate extension (even from another extension) to isolate them both. Nothing else should be plugged into the sockets along with them. Can't believe i've found a solution and thanks for your video which at least gave me an idea.

On a 3.5mm jack connector there are 3 wires inside, positive, negative and ground and when you used a converter to switch to RCA you eliminated the ground wire. This issue is present with turntables and DJs have a extra ground wire to ground the turntable.

Thanks Man!! I’m using M Audio BX-5s and I had the same issue! It was my lights in my room, I took the socket out and the noise completely went. It was driving me insane

The suggestion to use a 3 prong to 2 prong power converter just solved it for me. Balanced cables helped but the noise was still present. Until I went a step further an UN-grounded my monitors. Yikes! But it works. Crystal clear.

Couldnt tell how quiet his speakers were because of the noise in mine lol

tysm for this very useful

This helped alot! thanks.

Thanks this is going to help a lot. I thought with my set up the internal PCI M-Audio card would isolate that, but nope. It is RCAto 1/4" to the mixer then XLR from there to the KRKs. It helped some, but I think this means it's time to move to an external audio card. I am gonna try and move all the other 2 prong items to other power bar/outlets to cut down on that,, but overall I only hear the noise when the PC is on.

I've had similar issues, my right speaker was going crazy with noise. My fix was to make sure both the speakers were not plugged into the same multi gang power switch. Once separated, the noise was gone. Hope it helps. Cheers, Phil

You know your shit and I appreciate it! Thanks for the great advice! :)

I have the same sound, but the issues a ground loop. I tried the 1/8th inch plug with my phone and when I boot up a game (more power) the noise gets substantially louder.

Mine screech like tech garble hell for around 10 seconds every 30 seconds of audio...any ideas? Used to work fine...I fear some ground loop/static issue

What output is better for Rokit 5 and scarlett 2i2 : RCA or TRS? Thank .

The noise coming from my speakers was horrendous, but now its fixed. Bought a Behringer MICROHD Hum Destroyer HD400 with TRS connections to speakers. Easy, cheap fix.

I have krk rokit 6 ,line 6 ux2 soundcard ,a laptop and an external screen and a midi controller.I put everything on one big table ,and its all plugged in to the same thing(it has six spots I can't remember the things name),okay ,so when I plug in my headphones only the sound is good ,then I plug my monitors into the soundcard (xlr cables) and the sound just becomes shit.I've been out of town for a few months and I wasn't using the monitors but the laptop and the soundcard was with me all the time and It all worked fine.Anyways ,should I change the way its all plugged in or could it be something else

i have a popping and crackling sound at the start of every new track that I play? and then it goes away and they are smooth this issue is very weird. they were a gift for me so i cant find out if theres any info to register the product and register a warranty or something. any ideas how i can get rid of the crackling and popping sound at beginning of every new track?

Please help me. I have a problem Speaker KRK ROKIT 6 GEN 2. Bass / Sub sound is very audible from the sound the original. Sometimes a tweeter dies and lives again, dies again, so over and over again. I think what parts should I fix?

do i need the scarlett 2i2 if i have the scarlett solo?? would the balanced cables be compatible with the scarlett solo ?

My right speaker keeps cutting volume when it's low but when I bring the volume up it pops back into place? Anyone know about this?

i have a gemini slate 2 mixer with a pair of 502 tannoy speakers. im having a difficult time trouble shooting... i have a PC with windows 8.1 i downloaded the drivers and did everything i was supposed to but every time i play music theirs static/digital noise. could it be the RCA chord or something else going on? PLEASE help thank you

Good info. Great beard.

hey man i've got krk rokit 6 pluged in to my apollo twin with trs but i hear some white noise. Its not from the cables i think because if I chance the volume it stays the same. Even if I plug them out the noise keeps playing. If I turn them off and on and try it with my aux cable(phone) the noise is less loud but also keeps playing when I plug it out. Every powercable of my imac,apollo,speakers are pluged in the same plug so I dont know if thats the issue

thanks helped me ^^

I do what you said and a little appear noise but when something do process or mouse moving it will appear noise. Whatever a little clear noise before.Thanks.

So I'm using balanced and an external and my noise is insanely loud. Have to run my KRKs at like -8 gain or they're unusable.

Hi I hope you guys can help me out. Sometimes when i activate my KRK speakers (under soundsettings in windows) they sound so weird, its like the music is going in slowmotion and the sound is like sparkling. But mostly they work just fine. So why does this happend and what can be wrong?

thank you!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Guys, I have the same problem as you and i have all cables high tec. I use Focusrite 18i8, my Monitor is loop Wave 5, my pc is Alienware Aurora i7. I aready tested the monitor alone without audio cables in another room just with power cable and the noise dont change! Have you some idea please?

i am on the fence of buying these moniters and also the Focusrite Scarlett Solo i am new to using studio grade monitors and want to start recording to help out my friends on my own time so i have basic knowledge could you tell me everything i would need to get this working on my pc(high end also for gaming) + tv( just a regular hdtv) out of the box? i am also googling lol but if you could help me narrow it down i would appreciate it.

Hey bro i know this is an old video, but i cant manage to fix this buzzing. I run 2 powered rokit 8s into a focusrite dac. and i am getting a very loud buzzing based on the gain of the amped speakers, even if i mute the speakers on my pc they still make the humming noise. If you do somehow read this i would much appreciate your input. Thanks!

Thank you.......

Running cool edit..ive noticed that a hiss is there when recording or listening back and for the hell of it I shut my pc monitor off while I was listening back and it pretty much disappeared,,is this a problem that your interface on this video will fix

Hi i have buy a M-Track 2x2 but the interference nois still sound ? what i have to do ? i don't know how to resolve it i'm going crazy please help me

The problem was resolved when I replaced the TRS cable with a short one. I do not understand what this principle is ...

my krk 5's make a weird space like/ digital sound every so often

Very informative video and it helped me quite a bit but my problem is that the speakers make a buzzing sound when I'm playing games, depending on the framerate, the buzzing goes to a higer/lower pitched noise. I have the KRK Rokit rp5 g3s hooked up to the Scarlett 2i2 with TRS cables and the Scarlett 2i2 is connected to my PC with USB. Did you also experience this problem or know what might be the problem? I've already thought about what it could be and I think it might be my PSU in my PC. Having this problem really sucks, I only have the whole audio setup for 1 day and I wanted to spend the whole weekend gaming... :(

I picked up KRK VXT4's (active) because I decided to invest a little more to avoid needing to upgrade in the future. Little did I know that these are even worse when it comes to picking up RF interference. I literally hear the radio coming through. I hear it less if it's just the speaker hooked up to an outlet with nothing else connected to it (no input) or to the remaining outlet. But as soon as I connect a balanced (TRS) cable, it acts as an antena and the picked up interference gets amplified. This creates distortion whenever I listen to anything, as it's playing 2 sound sources at the same time. I hadn't noticed this before the guarantee was over because I used to have my monitors next to my TV, about 8 feet away from me. But now that it's on a desk (4 feet in front of me), It's driving me mad. I hear that this issue is more pronounced if you live in a city or close to a radio tower. I've looked it up online and this is apparently very common for the VXT lineup. It's a design flaw that KRK has no solution for and is not willing to fix (look up everyone who tried contacting them for support). I'm going to have to try ferrite rings or a power conditioner but I'm poor as shit now and can't afford any upgrades at the moment. Otherwise I might just trade them for something else...

what is the name of the surge protector that you use?

Kinda puzzled when i link my scarlett 2i2 and have it plugged in to my computer and monitors i get that low hiss aswell. When unplugging from my computer no hiss. What do you think the issue is?

What is that surge protector called?

This CAN't be the best it gets; power going from a properly grounded outlet to a furman PST-2+6 - to my PC - Focusrite scarlett solo USB (with an idefender3.0 ground loop breaker between it and the PC) then RCA (yes i know it's un-bal, but i tried with a M-Audio firewire w/bal. outs and same shit.) to the KRK's. i think its mobo noise, maybe my PC, or Mobo aren't grounded... its infuriating :@ my other set up didn't do this, until i got the new KRK rockit6's (and they're fine, line in (ipod) thru RCA is deathly quiet when no signal). Literally as i boot my pc on they start to make noise (sounds like mobo tbh). Any suggestions? i'm about to quit altogether...

Old house ... no ground wiring but I had an optical audio out. I didn't think of using a ground loop isolator. I used a $10 Toslink to RCA converter to solve my problem.

What if mine is crackling with no inputs at all, just power? Just one of mine crackles with just power. I have them plugged into a Y spiltter than directly extensioned to an APC battery backup system. Too noisy?

I'd have the hissing noise on one of my Rokit 5's using RCA cable. But the other is fine, it literally annoys me so much

I have that exact problem, *with* an external USB soundcard. If I connect it to my macbook on battery, no noise. To my PC - noise. To the macbook, when it is connected to a screen that is also connected to the PC on its other input - noise. The noise is for sure from the ground connection, since the USB soundcard receives digital audio...

I think I've sorted the noise ..... I plug both monitors into a extension lead but the end that plug into the wall disconnect the earth wire ....seemed to work for me

i had this noise issue with my behringer monitoring speakers, and i use a focusrite scarlet 2i2 sound card. i juste pluged a xlr cable to my speakers and jack to my sound card, ( cable xlr male with jack) and the noise is gone ! so if you are using a jack cable and you have this noise issue replace with jack/xlr and that should fix the problem... sorry for my bad english xD

Soo... is nobody gonna talk about the fact that he has a "buddy named sandwiches"?

I just found that by turning the volume dials down to -30db seemed to eliminate the ground noise, but my interface can't drive them anywhere near as loud now.

I have a cable that goes TRS from the back of my monitors to 3.5mm headphone jack that I use for these into my soundblaster Z sound card. Going by this video I really should invest in an interface and a proper Balanced TRS cable - right? to eliminate the noise ?

Hi, thanks a lot for those tips! I recently bought a pair of Rokit RP5 G3 myself. Only issue I'm facing is that I get some feedback noise, I think from the PC. Mostly whenever I use/scrolling my mouse or the HDD is working hard. I'm using a wireles mouse and keyboard, already switched to a cord device but no difference. My Rokits are connected with RCA - large jack (ProCab) to my Focusrite Saffire 6. Maybe I need to switch to a high-end cable? When the PC is idle there are hardly any bleeps and blops, but when working in a DAW it can be annoying especially when working on quiter parts. Thanks!

i got these speakers to be immediatly introduced to that exact SAME noise in the video. tryed so many things without purchasing anything. i later found out it was were my speaker was connected i tryed plugging them both to different power outlets (no surge protector) and the noise was completly gone!!! Fucking aye i have no idea why plugging them into the same surge protector, or 1 in any surge protector makes lots of digital noise (moving my mouse, gaming) increases noise and changes the frequency. Came back to this video with the problem fixed and it felt like a nightmare listening to this video with the sound test of the noise from the speakers. so glad the noise is gone. no audio interface, soundcard and on RCA cables. 1 question i have will getting the scarlett improve sound qaulity or would a dac? im a audio noob and use these just for music and gaming. i love it so far should i bother getting a interface or dAC? thanks.

For what it's worth mine was due to my pc speakers, just unplugged it and pluged it back in (the regular speaker monitors) and the hiss disappeared...for now.

can i fix that without audio interface

Hey man, I have noise comming out of monitor even if it isnt plugged into PC, It is also not problem with electricity, i tried to plug it on several places, even in musical instrument shop. I thinkit is noise straight out of monitor amplifier. Do you think there is solution ? Thanks for possible answer.

Anyone know how to produce sound from a midi keyboard going through an interface connected to the computer and going out to Rokit 5s at the SAME time as I play a song in Spotify on the same computer? The only solution I've found is to use a 3.5mm out from my computer's sound card to the RCAs on the backs of my Rokit 5s while the interface goes out to the Rokit 5s using TRS cables. But when I do this, I get that radio interference sound from the 3.5 to RCA this guy is talking about in the video

One of my two speakers crackles/distorts at high volume on certain kicks. I'm assuming the speaker is starting to blow?

I fixed my issue with the simple cables for Amazon 1/8 TO XLR

Dude, i have been using my rokit 5's fine for a few days after buying them new, i have them hooked up into a focusrite solo via rca's and the sound device is plugged into my laptop via usb3.0 ....today i go to use them and all of the audio coming from the speakers is really distorted in the high end , the low end only just makes it through the static ...very worrying ....anything you could recommend? ....i can not seem to find any answers in forums and things...

I had exactly same problem as you. I found this video and purchased that audio interface and the annoying noise was gone, thank you. There is still that little noise and when I move my mouse it makes some high noise but it isn't problem like before. Do you have that same problem? I think it has something to do with my computer hardware because there is not any noise with my laptop or phone connected to my monitors via RCA.

Thanks. Crazy amount of noise on these monitors.

"a TINY! bit" hahahaha lol

I ran into a noise issue with the Rokit 5 G3, and the only thing that worked was to float the grounds on the power cords going to each speaker. Now, to figure out how to bypass that annoying auto-standby...

Resolved the problem by moving the speakers to different plug alone.

Hey man I took my krk5 g3 to guitar center bcuz of that noise... When I played audio through it, it kind of sounded like a radio. It was really lound with little clarity. To my surprise he plugged an xlr cord in it and it sounded just fine. I use a trs to rca due to my interface. My other monitor works with no problem and that's what's so confusing.

Hmm second set of krk 5s. noise (starts distorting blows fuse eventually) unusable. no radio wire alien tin foil or high powered lines going thru my backyard. Both sets seem to blow 1 monitor just after 1 year. I need to fix the monitor and i'M PREETY SURE IT'S THE SAME circuit FOR ALL KRK 5 THRU 8s. Anyone know the weak link in the circuitry that I need to replace so I can buy two for when my second set becomes one? The distortion has already started in the second set. Thanx muchly appreciated.

I have krk rokit6 and 2i2. it hisses and its irritating. i think it is very bad when trying to produce music... its awful to begin with and still not great after

Is it the Focusrite Scralett Solo (*2nd Gen) that he's suggesting? I'm seeing Scarlett 2i2 and 2i4, I'm guessing I don't need those if it's just to eliminate noise from KRK right? Please someone who knows this stuff reply, I'd really appreciate it. Great video by the way!

Use a M Audio M-Track 2X2. Get 2 XLR cables to input your audio signal and your golden. The Midi Device will save you time and stress. Use the Studio monitors as they were designed and you will be problem free. Its almost 2018 so you might as well use modern equipment .

If you're having this problem and you already are using a USB audio interface (like in my case), try switching to a different USB port, especially if you're able to switch from a 2.0 to a 3.0 port

Great, I just got focusrite clarett 2pre and balanced and duble shieled TRS cables to connect to my rokit 6 g3 and the *freakin noise is exactly the same* as was when connected to iMac headphone output with 3.5 jack to RCA Y cable 😭

hey boss, my rockits just started putting out a higher pitch whine after having them for a month a longer with no problems. I have them connected to my dj controller with a onboard soundcard via RCA's from a car amp install kit. I am stumped... whats going on? I need some TRS boys i guess.. i just dont get why i have a terrible noise out of nowhere

i found the problem. its not the computer or speakers. its the power of the pc and speakers. i think they are in the same outlet try to put them in a other outlet without Ground Fault. this worked for me

My noise is coming from PC i'm 99% sure, did the BIOS settings work for anyone? PLEASE HELP. changing power outlets has done nothing for me.

had the exact same issue and changed to a sound interface but didn't fix the issue at all

A low cost audio groundloop isolator cable did the trick for me

Yes all that but the real issues are the caps. They should be swapped out and frankly upgraded even if yours sound OK today. And also be careful of the black goo of death. I swap my caps out every 500 hours or so and when I do it always blows my mind how much better they sound. But my rokits are 10+ years old now and I've learnt my way around them. Lots of repairs. Anyone who opens my krks will see various upgrades. Be sure to use decent solder and not the free crap thrown in with your eBay special iron. All that said, it's usually an annual event that one just starts popping, ticking or generally sounding trashed (I'm here because today one has just started popping until its warm (classic cap ailment) . They have a habit of destroying themselves . And anyone using the 3.5 jack is just asking for issues. Quality XLR all the way.

I shut my Rokit6's off one night after I noticed the usual signal noise was getting slowly getting bothersome - this was after not turning them off for at least 3-4 years! hehe. When I turned them back on the next morning I got a noise 10-20 times louder! I guess time for new monitors. I let them stay on and after a few hours they calmed down back to the prev level of reg signal noise.. so I guess I'm not turning them off again until they die ! lol

If you use BALANCED 1/4 inch TRS (Jack capable) you will eliminate 99% of noice. Using normal UNBALANCED 1/4" jack cables, they carry so much noise. It will be the best decision you've made and you can cut out 80% of this video by reading this comment. Guaranteed. I also use a mac to pro into my scarlet 2 in 2 out, into my rokits 6 and it's been the cleanest solution for me yet. My current set up is Mac Pro to my Scarlette 2 in 2 out, into my Rokits 6

thanks, found the problem was having my monitors on the power strip with other stuff!

3:10 I was like lol yeah that's exactly what it sounds like

Mine just seem to be having a particular problem with my PC. I plug them into literally anything else using the same cables and there's zero noise. The same thing happens with my guitar amp, producing a lot of noise through the amp when my guitar is near the PC. anyone got any ideas what fault this could be? I can't really afford a new PC right now haha

For me it was just a matter of lowering the volume knobs on the back

Hi my computer must be far from my monitors?

A local transformer blew up while my KrKs were on. Had noise isssues when I turned them back on. I even unplugged and replugged mixers, ower supply and now all this sudden at At about @4:13 of the video 99% of the noise is eliminated! (Noise can only be heard when I crank up unity mixer + unity interface past +6dB now. Whew. Umm, thank you ?

mine sounds like static not hissing

And why couldn't you just use a 1/8" stereo to dual mono TRS? I just ordered one for the same issue... balanced is balanced... shouldn't that be fine?

Should probably invest in an external DAC that pulls from the Toslink. Fully isolated and they're like $30.

An older vid but within the first min it's already the most correct lol. I've just watch a whole bunch of vids all with conflicting, and drastically wrong information, which is a little crazy considering the real science is just a couple more clicks away. Hopefully more start finding vids like this and save themselves, and others a whole bunch of time, as well as risk (cos snapping the ground prong off to lift the ground is safe hey!! why? It's like they diagnose the issue, then shoot themselves in the foot. quite literally.)

I got my KRK ROKIT 5's today and using 2i2 audiointerface with trs cables.. i'm getting the noise.. what do i do?? nothing of ur tips worked..