Q: No matter what speakers i try with my pc i get a strange crackling noise whenever background music plays or whenever there is speech. I have tried nearly everything and have just run out of ideads! anyone any idea?
A: Sometimes the driver for the sound card is incompatible or it is corrupt, then crackling noise results. It could also be from a failing or defective sound card. There's a diode on the card that fails and when it does you will have a crackling noise. Replacing the diode will fix the issue, but you need someone who can solder without burning other circuits on the card. Also loose wires/connection or even some dust in the slot where the card is seated can cause this.