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I am a current Sonos product user. I have two Five’s in stereo. I’ve previously had a 1st Gen Beam, two One SL’s and a 1st Gen Play:5.

 

My issue of hissing/white noise was first noticed with my Beam. It was replaced under warranty for a different reason but the hissing remained. All of my previous and also current Sonos equipment experience the same issue. I don’t recall the Play:5 being as bad though.

 

The hissing/white noise starts as soon as audio starts playing. It continues when you pause whatever is playing for 15 seconds (every time as I have timed it). This hissing/white noise remains at the same level no matter the level of volume from the speakers. The quieter the audio, the more you notice it when audio is playing.

 

I have tinnitus but I seem to be able to notice it far more than I thought I would.

 

This hissing/white noise happens with HDMI inputs, line-in inputs and streaming via the S2 app, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon (Roon to Five, with Five Stereo as an endpoint and also a endpoint via line-in). I have adjusted various settings. Disconnected line-ins and HDMI’s and tried different power cables and also power conditioner extension cables. The issue remains.

 

I had the same issue, but worse with Echo Studios. Same with Apple HomePods, not as bad as Sonos though.

 

I also have a separated hi-fi of high end equipment and I get a small amount of hiss/white noise from the speakers but nowhere as bad as Sonos.

 

Who else experiences this hissing/white noise?

 

Sonos, what are you or can you do anything to stop this hissing/white noise?

 

If we can hear it when using the products then it’s not right. We shouldn’t have to turn up the volume to drown the noise out. 

Perhaps see this link (and others, if you maybe want to do an online search)…

https://playbutton.co/why-powered-speakers-hiss/

If your hearing is sensitive to these things you may want to consider alternatives. Maybe opt for passive speakers perhaps?

To some extent all electronics will have some level of hiss. From my chair I cannot evaluate if your hiss level is abnormal or not. I tend to be abnormally sensitive to this sort of noise (‘buzz’ -- get it) and I’m not annoyed by the SONOS hiss levels. Hiss is usually masked by normal room noises, but if your rooms are very quiet and you sit very close to a speaker, you are more likely to notice the hiss. Unfortunately, once you are sensitized to the hiss, it never goes away and becomes a “The Princess and the Pea” drama. The hiss is emitted from the speaker drivers, both woofers and tweeters. There is a potential for another type of noise that is generated by the power supply. I don’t consider this noise as being normal. It is not emitted by the speakers and typically emits from the rear of the unit when there is a problem. Normally this noise is above the frequency range of humans, but if, due to a defect the frequency slips down, it may be audible to some listeners. Since high frequency hearing capability varies from person to person and the high frequency limit of humans diminishes with age, there can be some arguments between listeners over this “obvious” noise. Early ultrasonic alarm systems used in schools operated at a frequency that was easily heard by kids, but not audible to adults. There would be running arguments between the distressed kids and the adults about this noise. (‘What noise!!’) When I was younger you’d observe me take a step into a retail store, then abruptly turn and leave. I was repelled by their “ultrasonic” alarm system that had not been turned OFF during business hours.

I’m not sure how your tinnitus factors into this issue. It might be possible that the tinnitus results in you being more sensitive to this hiss.

Perhaps see this link (and others, if you maybe want to do an online search)…

https://playbutton.co/why-powered-speakers-hiss/

If your hearing is sensitive to these things you may want to consider alternatives. Maybe opt for passive speakers perhaps?

Hi Ken

Thanks for sharing the link. I have stumbled across this before but always good to re-read things.

 

A soft self-generated hissing noise is so common on active speakers that some manufacturers publish the level of self-generated noise for their products.

 

Does Sonos publish this data? I haven’t seen it.

To some extent all electronics will have some level of hiss. From my chair I cannot evaluate if your hiss level is abnormal or not. I tend to be abnormally sensitive to this sort of noise (‘buzz’ -- get it) and I’m not annoyed by the SONOS hiss levels. Hiss is usually masked by normal room noises, but if your rooms are very quiet and you sit very close to a speaker, you are more likely to notice the hiss. Unfortunately, once you are sensitized to the hiss, it never goes away and becomes a “The Princess and the Pea” drama. The hiss is emitted from the speaker drivers, both woofers and tweeters. There is a potential for another type of noise that is generated by the power supply. I don’t consider this noise as being normal. It is not emitted by the speakers and typically emits from the rear of the unit when there is a problem. Normally this noise is above the frequency range of humans, but if, due to a defect the frequency slips down, it may be audible to some listeners. Since high frequency hearing capability varies from person to person and the high frequency limit of humans diminishes with age, there can be some arguments between listeners over this “obvious” noise. Early ultrasonic alarm systems used in schools operated at a frequency that was easily heard by kids, but not audible to adults. There would be running arguments between the distressed kids and the adults about this noise. (‘What noise!!’) When I was younger you’d observe me take a step into a retail store, then abruptly turn and leave. I was repelled by their “ultrasonic” alarm system that had not been turned OFF during business hours.

I’m not sure how your tinnitus factors into this issue. It might be possible that the tinnitus results in you being more sensitive to this hiss.

Hi Buzz

 

Thanks for your post.

I am aware active/powered speakers hiss. I’ve had the pleasure of owning other makes of active speakers.

 

My post was to see if others feel it’s excessive from the Sonos range of products. I feel if the hiss (from the drivers, mainly centre tweeter) is more noticeable on Sonos products (except Amazon’s Echo Studio which is terrible). I’m aware of causes and fixes of such hiss. I just can’t solve it.

 

If the hiss was at 5dB like Genelec 8010a (see link Ken sent) then listening at 50dB it shouldn’t be audible. I may measure the dab levels of the hiss. I’m guessing this is done 1 meter away from the speakers.

 

Perhaps see this link (and others, if you maybe want to do an online search)…

https://playbutton.co/why-powered-speakers-hiss/

If your hearing is sensitive to these things you may want to consider alternatives. Maybe opt for passive speakers perhaps?

Hi Ken

Thanks for sharing the link. I have stumbled across this before but always good to re-read things.

 

A soft self-generated hissing noise is so common on active speakers that some manufacturers publish the level of self-generated noise for their products.

 

Does Sonos publish this data? I haven’t seen it.

I haven’t seen any published data, but you could chat/contact Staff via this LINK to perhaps ask them about it.

I can’t (hand on heart) say I’ve noticed any excessive hiss from any of my Sonos products and it’s not something I’ve seen complained about before.

I would have to put my ear right up close to a speaker to hear any such hissing. I was wondering if it maybe one of the symptoms of the tinnitus condition mentioned, perhaps? It’s worth perhaps exploring that too, but that’s not something I know too much about either.

I can only imagine that once you can hear these things though, that it’s then difficult to not notice them often, as I too would always be listening out for such unwanted sounds. Anyhow I am personally not noticing such sounds, thankfully🙏

I hope you find the answers you’re looking for.

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