I did a search and couldn't find this anywhere. I was sitting in my car checking out everything tonight and turned the stereo (shaker 500) to test out the mp3 playing and I noticed a loud humming/buzzing/radio interference sound when the shaker 500 is powered. It doesn't matter if radio or cd is being played. Even when the volume is turned all the way down you can still hear it. Only when the stereo is powered off does the sound stop. Is this "normal", it seems pretty excessive to me. There is some noise also when I turn the volume up but I could at least understand that. Also, this was done with the engine off and key out of the ignition (after initial turning to ACC).

Any ideas or is this warranty work?

Thanks

 

Sounds like interference from the amplifier(s). From what I have read, the Skipper 500/1000s have a 50/50 build quality - you either get one that works very nicely even with MP3 CDs, or you get one that skips frequently and even spits out CDs randomly.

 

BTT:

I am hearing a weird sound as well. When I first start up the Shaker 500, I can hear the sound of the CD spinning but it is coming out of the driver door speaker! When I shut off the 500, I can hear the CD spinning down!

 

I posted on this a year and a half ago when I had my 05. Mine made a white noise sound that varied in loudness and sounded like the test signal you use to set up a home stereo surround system. I only heard it when the system was on, but at very low volumes. I believe others said they'd heard the same noise. I suspected the amps, but never took the car in for repair. If I order an 07 or 08, I'm going to forgo the Shaker option.

 

For $500 or so, the Shaker 500 doesn't seem like a bad option. The engine and exhaust will require at least 1-2 bars on the volume, which drown out the low volume humming and buzzing. With a Shaker 1000, you're more likely to hear buzzing from the dashboard as the subs pound away