m14xr2 external sound is awful

Not really sure if there is a problem with the computer or if it just sounds bad in general. But anything plugged into my m14xs headphone jacks sound horrid. I have reinstalled drivers, swept them, reinstalled again, fresh OS, other speakers, headphones, tried lots of things.

But when the sound output of my m14x is compaired to my m11x, its terrible... the m11x is clear, has bass, treble, mids.... my x51 is not much better than my m14x, but it is a little better.

The m14x internal speakers sound fine, but when I use the headphone jacks (either jack), its horrid.

I tried adjusting the sound profiles in the 3di controls, still bad.

So, is it just terrible sound, or is there something wrong?

Its not set to 5.1, this is just 2 channel stereo.

 

just wondering did you restore default 3di controls setting and try again?

 

Yeah I tried that too. Still sounded terrible.

The funny thing is when I turn the volume all the way, the internal speakers (while still distorting) sound better than anything plugged into the headphone jack a 1/4 volume. Same settings in the control panel, just going from internal speakers to the headphone jacks.

I will fool around with the sound settings some more tomorrow at work. I took my m11x with me today so I could listen to music at my desk.

 

Perhaps it has to do with your sound settings? I don't know if the m14x uses realtek like my m11, but I have a sound options icon in my tray where I can adjust sound quality and EQ. I believe most audio drivers come with this sort of software. If not, there are some tweaks in the sound category of the control panel. Hope it getscresolved!

 

I've heard better but it's certainly not horrid. Maybe yours is actually defective? Have you tried contacting Dell?

 

The m14xr2 uses a dedicated sound blaster 3di card (m14xr1 uses onboard realtek) I have played with all the option in there and its all terrible.

Havent given them a call yet, I rarely use my m14x so I just noticed it a few days ago when I had my m11x hooked up to my speakers, then compaired the 2.

 

Have you installed any windows updates recently? I had a problem where anytime I installed windows updates, my sound would become all crackly and terrible. I system restored to before installing the updates and then turned automatic updates off. After calling Dell, the tech i was speaking to confirmed that generic windows updates don't play well with the R2s.

 

I have system updates turned off on this computer since I dont use it very often I dont want to have to wait for a huge update to download and install for the 1-2 times a month I turn it on.

 

You've got a hardware problem man is my guess.

There are only three things it could be:

1. 3Di effects/eq misconfigured
2. Bad Hardware
3. Blown speakers/bad head phones.

The only one that makes sense is the bad hardware because you've reset all the drivers and setups. Seems unlikely that both your head phones and speakers would be blown. So I would call Dell and have it fixed.

 

Yeah, I think thats what I will end up doing. Want to finish getting my x51 warranty issue straightened out though.

 

After everything is cleared up if you need a part replacement you can send us an e-mail to [email protected] and we'll take care of it.