REL subwoofer hum


I own a REL stadium III, and have owned it for some time now. Just recently I noticed that it will produce an audible (although low level) hum when I turn my system’s amplifier off. I have the Stadium hooked up in the recommended manner: I have it hooked up with the neutrik cable to the Speaker B terminals of my amplifier. Speaker A terminals are occupied by my Sonus Faber concertos. When both sets of speaker terminals are on, the sub is quiet. When I turn off the B speaker terminals, or turn off the amp altogether, a low level Hum is output by the REL. I have not noticed this hum before and believe it to be a new occurrence. However, I guess it could be a ground hum. My main amplifier, and the REL are plugged into two different outlets, both outlets have quality AC filters/surge protectors, and I use the stock power cords for the amp and REL. Should I alter my hookup method? Would better power cables help? I really don’t want to have the REL serviced as, I’m sure you know, it weighs 110 pounds, and I don’t want to have to move it. If it is a so-called "ground hum", how do I alleviate it?

phoenix469

Showing 3 responses by artmaltman

Man, I was tearing my hair out over this hum problem and your suggestion solved it! I tried swapping cables, outlets, even swapping subwoofers (I have several RELs).
Thanks!
Art
Do you think it is good practice in general to use the chassis ground instead of the speaker black terminal?
Alas, I still do have a slight hum under the one circumstance that you describe: when the amp is powered off and the sub is powered on. Not a huge problem of course but disappointing.
Art