High pitched clicking

[Hasufein]

Hello fellow LTTers :)

 

So I have this problem; I am hearing annoying random clicks in my audio every now and then when the tracks are at a point where there are a lot of highs.

I have been using my new ATH M50’s (still burning in – around 40 hours so far), and the clicks, though subtle, are quite clear and intrusive. I’m quite certain I’m not confusing it with random highs from a snare or high hat or anything – the clicks are quite out of place – and very tinny sounding.

These clicks are also audible when using my other headphones (RS 170) but not as prominent as when I’m using the M50’s; and only come up in certain songs etc. Below is a link to one such song:

Amaranthe – Burn with me

From around 0:56 to 1:02 is just click city – about 7 clicks. The clicks are quite a bit quieter and higher pitched than the cymbals/high hats; but do make themselves heard.

I have since been listening to a bunch of FLACs and the FOCAL JMlab CD tracks to see if I can replicate these clicks in any of those tracks – so far none – good clean audio.

Could these clicks be result of some hardware issue? Or perhaps its to do with the tracks themselves?

Relevant info: using an Asus Xonar DG sound card atm (yes, I know it’s the entry-est level of the entry level cards, but still so much better than my onboard sound – p7p55)

Thanks ~

Hasufein.

 

 

[pierrelucsav]

Try these:

 

1- Switch to onboard audio. Are the clicks still there? Nope? your sound card is defective I'm afraid. If not:

 

2- Try the headphones on another computer or mp3 player; if you can't hear the clicks, there's probably some weird things going on with your system (decoding lossy audio codecs wrong, maybe?)

 

If the clicks persist, it could be your ears... Maybe you have superhuman ears that can detect every tiny imperfection caused by lossy compression. Or perhaps they perceive some very specific frequencies as a clicking noise. 

 

In fact, I suffer from a similar problem. I once thought my newly arrived Sennheiser HD598 were defective because the highs were harsh but only from the right channel. At first I refused to admit it could be my ears. Then I came to the conclusion that my right ear has trouble with frequencies in the 4-6 KHz range; I had never noticed before because poor quality earphones usually have a poor response in that range. I can tell you that finding out you have hearing problems at the age of 20 is not funny, at all. After some research, I found a little EQ plugin for winamp that's pretty darn amazing called Shibatch's SuperEQ. It allows you to target very specific frequencies, on a single channel if needed. After a few weeks of testing, I found the perfect settings and the problem was solved ;)

[Hasufein]

Heya. Thanks for the reply

Just tried those out - clicks persist across different PC

So you may be on to something - could be my ears :( clicks are always coming from back-right (i already have tinnitus, so something else wrong with them probably isn't too far fetched).

 

Thanks,

Hasufein.

[pierrelucsav]

I'm very sorry to hear that. I hope you too can find a way to make the noises less noticeable.

[hiyayhi]

Heya. Thanks for the reply

Just tried those out - clicks persist across different PC

So you may be on to something - could be my ears :( clicks are always coming from back-right (i already have tinnitus, so something else wrong with them probably isn't too far fetched).

 

Thanks,

Hasufein.

If you use ear buds, (not headphones) does it still persist?

 

Also try using speakers. If it is something to do with your ears it could be to do with the sound coming directly into your ear. (idk just a thought.)

It is weird though that it happens in a specific part of the song every time.

Tell me the results of listening to a stereo.

[hiyayhi]

Just listened to the song and realized that there is a synth that plays towards the back right of your ear at 0:56 - 1:07 or so. This could be what you are experiencing. If so, YAY! No problems with your ear or hardware!

[Hasufein]

Just tried using a pair of IEM's (JVC HafX1X - not a fan) - still hear that clicking - BUT i decided to switch the buds around - put right in left etc. and i now get that clicking in the left! woo. Looks like it may not be a defective-er right ear now! :D :D

I can't hear the clicks with my speakers - but that's no surprise as they're not good speakers by any stretch of the imagination.

Have managed to find FLAC versions of the song in question - will listen and update post with results :)

I'm very sorry to hear that. I hope you too can find a way to make the noises less noticeable.

- Thanks for the condolence :P - it is annoying at times... but i've had it for ... about 15 years as far as i can remember, so learned to live with it.

but yeah... hearing problems at 20.. sucks.

Update: Listened to FLAC version - click still there - did the switch thing - again clicks seem to be coming through the right side channel - so looks like not my ears being dodgy :)Guess it shall be some mystery click within some very particular songs.

[Cheesebaron]

The song you've linked to is badly compressed too. It sounds really bad. Along with that very low volume synth in the passage you mention it can on some headphones appear as clicks. On mine I can clearly pick out that it is a synth.

I tried with a better source of the song and it was even more clear that it was a synth, so nothing wrong with your ears.