[Sony WH-1000XM3] Faint popping noises in right headphone when plugged into PC

[Brynjolfr]

Happens when connected to either the front or back audio jack. It starts when I turn on the ANC. It's like rapid sequences of faint popping sounds. It's not constant, though. It's irregular like Morse code, but much faster.

However, I don't hear it when I start WoW or a YouTube video, for example, or when I plug them into my phone.

As a side note, the headphones are new.

[Joe_Dohn]

This could be interference noise from inside the PC that's carried over to the headphones, or false-positive like behaviour from the NC circuit.

Does it also happen with other devices or under different conditions? Do you have the latest software version installed on them?

- JD

[Brynjolfr]

They already have the latest version (4.5.2) installed. I haven't tried them with any other devices other than my PC and phone.

It seems like it persists when I use Spotify (even though playing games and watching YouTube makes it go away, as mentioned earlier).

[Joe_Dohn]

Try them out with other devices to see where the issue is, if it's consistent from the headphones across the board, maybe try resetting them.

[Brynjolfr]

Tried them on my mum's PC. I couldn't hear any weird noises at all, so it must be something related to my PC.

[Joe_Dohn]

Most probably, yes.

You can either check the internals, increase the volume or invest in a USB DAC (which I honestly highly recommend since it negates any possibility of internal noise affecting your music).

- JD

[Brynjolfr]

I bought an AudioQuest DragonFly Black USB DAC, but the problem persists.

UPDATE: I think the cable might be the issue. The PC-end of it only has two bars (TRS). My older pair of ANC headphones has a cable with three bars (TRRS) at the end, and they don't have any noise at all.

[Joe_Dohn]

Congrats on the DAC! (also, great choice).

Do let us know if the cable is actually the issue as this is something I've never came across before and could definitely help others.

- JD