Audio Crackling on the 15x - Discussion Thread

Greetings 15x owners... I have been noticing a handful of posts relating to audio crackling on the 15x. Since it seems more than a few are seeing this issue I figured a dedicated thread may help with comparing notes and provide a one stop location for any of our resident AW peeps to review info on this and hopefully we can determine if this is something impacting every 15x or a specific configuration.

So how about -

- a description of the actual crackling,
- what you are doing on the system at time of crackling,
- audio driver/BIOS/Display driver currently installed,
- whatever else you have on the issue

In the meantime, please see this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/495187-fix-audio-quality-crackling-music-only.html as Hobgoblin has apparently found a possible work-around. Still need info so please post if you are encountering this 'crackling'.

Previous threads on this which are now re-directed here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/467386-alienware-m15x-sound-probs-please-help.html


Thanks.

 

I've had this problem with my system ever since i got delivered and was able to find a solution to the problem by using either 197.31, 257.15, and 257.21 drivers as they fix the crackling but they are not the best drivers i've had.

Recently Hobgoblinpie found a way to bypass the multitude of signals being put through the audio by having a program (XMplayer) using exclusive audio mode(only allows this program to play audio with exclusive mode enabled). And by using the WASAPI encoder to play it the audio is perfect on other drivers as far as i know i've tested that 197.45 driver works fine and i no longer have audio issues just playing media.

here is Hobgoblinpie's Guide and give rep for his time spent finding this fix if it helps.

EDIT: thanks BatBoy for this thread

 

thanks for the info tuen... did anyone run the DPC Latency Checker and GPU-Z (sensor tab) to see if the audio crackling was happening when the GPU downclocked?

 

Thanks Tuenkamen

I've invested a lot of time in researching the problem for this, and it is my opinion that the problem of audio crackling is poor power distribution, or power is interrupting the audio output (notice how the audio does not crackle when put through the internal speakers).

This is how I solved the audio crackling problem (This is an in-depth look at step 4 in my guide, which, if you only want to fix crackling and not improve quality, is the only important step).

Basically, my theory is that when power is supplied through the mains (i.e. your M15x is plugged in) it is constantly feeding a current through, whereas on battery, the exact amount of power at any one time is given, and I believe that this constant supply of power is affecting the audio.

The simplest guide i can give is:
1. If you have your M15x plugged in, turn on AlienFX (do not set to dim, crackling will still occur).
2. If on battery (luckily) you can have AlienFX on or not.

I used to turn off AlienFX during the day, as it was useless, since the lights are overpowered by most light sources, but it turns out that, at least for me, it is critical in stopping the audio from crackling.

I'm running the A03 IDT drivers from the M17x (look here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/494095-updated-audio-driver-6261-a03-m17xr2.html), Nvidia 257.17 graphics drivers and A05 BIOS.

The solution above works for me both with WASAPI output and without.

I have checked DPC latency checker when I first heard the problem, and the bar always stays green (meaning it is below 500μ .

I have also checked with Stealth mode engaged and the problem still occurs, as well as manually downclocking through EVGA. The only solution I have that works for audio crackling is the one I posted above.

Thanks.

 

Interesting - again, nice info and thanks for posting.

So just to confirm, you are saying a 100% means at reproducing this audio crackling is to have AlienFX enabled and the system running on AC power while listening to an mp3?

 

To reproduce audio crackling I (I say I because I can almost 100% guarantee this will not work for everyone) need to be running on AC power with AlienFX off or set to dim (at dim, you will get less crackling, but you can still hear it if you listen for it). I'm going to upload a video to show what I mean (The audio you hear at the start is with alienFX on. When I put the camera down and you see my finger, AlienFX has been turned off. The quality of the microphone isn't very good, but you'll be able to hear a few crackles and stutters).

Will post when it has finished uploading.

Also, it can be any format music, the audio crackling stops, for me, with AlienFX on for everything (music, games, videos etc).

I'll try to get a better video of it, this was quickly done. When it sounds like the audio briefly (very briefly, like 2 tenths of a second) stops, it has, that is an effect of turning off AlienFX for my audio.

 

Excellent - look forward to the video and will check back in a few mins. Thanks goblin...

 

Finally! Thanks Batboy for the thread.

I think I had this problem since day one but noticed it just a month after since my M15x is usually plugged in to an external speaker (Logitec x-something..) which i usually dont put to max volume.

I noticed the problem when one day i bought a new headseat (Sennheiser cx300) and cranked to volume to max to see how it would do and sound crackling and tearing was there. So i double checked it with another laptop with the same mp3 file and player but there was no crackling or tearing.
Same problem when listening to music and games (MW2).

You can also check this problem by using a headset (any) then go to control panel - sound - click speaker/headphones then configure - test. Try this with max volume (crackling usually start at around 75-80% up to 100% of volume).

Called up Dell and Dell tech came by took apart my M15x twice and changed mobo, sound card, used a lot of NV drivers (197.xx - 257.xx), bios a03 - a06 (a05 seemed better), IDT drivers, several reformats and still problem still exist. REALLY frustrating by the way.

Bottomline is i bought an x-fi usb sound card. So much for the ultimate gaming laptop.

thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/467386-alienware-m15x-sound-probs-please-help.html

 

Mobo no are the problem dell are change two mobos in my m15x and no fix the problem.

I have same headphones CX300II, for fix the only solution are use a external audio card (usb/espresscard)

 

You've just answered why it wasn't working!

The fix I mentioned is for speakers (My Sennheiser CX550 style IIs have the same problem at 100% volume). Change the volume in XMPlay to 25 and the audio should stop crackling

By the way, I am working as hard as possible to find a fix for headphones. If I find one, I'll post it as soon as possible. If I don't I'll post my findings.

EDIT: Video is up. May need to be watched in 480P. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aUQlbLmVXY

 

Thanks Hob. Great work on the xmplayer fix!

I think the problem here is coming from the Vid card (260M). Had instances that the sound was kinda fix after installing a new NV driver but later problem returned.

Check the thread again:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/467386-alienware-m15x-sound-probs-please-help.html

 

I'm not discounting that it is the Nvidia drivers, as those could be the problem.

The only reason behind my thinking is that AlienFX is controlled by the Mobo and is the only thing which has a permanent effect on crackling.

Again, I'm not qualified to be saying what it definitely is, just my opinion.

EDIT: Just thought I'd add that my video isn't a good example. The recording equipment kind of masks the problems.

All I can think of is a subjective test by all M15x users. Turn AlienFX Off, plug in your M15x and plug it into a speaker system. If you get quite a few audio glitches (random audio 'pausing'/stuttering, crackling etc) Turn AlienFX ON and listen to the same song again, and post the difference (not in amount of glitches encountered but in which you think is better).

 

Hob. Just saw your youtube vid. And the sound crackling is coming from your main speakers? Is it the same when using the headphone?

My main laptop speakers are working fine tho even on max volume, i think or i just dont notice them. Its just when using the headset that i get these crackling. And also i tried maxing out the volume on the external logitec speakers 2.1 (i had to ask permission from my flatmates coz it gets really loud) and i didnt notice any crackling. Kinda weird tho, maybe the speakers were limiting or controlling it?

Anymore people with the same or similar problems?

 

The crackling I get only happens with AlienFX off, so i just turn it on.

The laptop speakers seem to always work fine, whether alienFX is on or off.

I think that it's the low quality audio recording from my camera that makes it appear bad.

Headphones always seem to be affected. I'm working on a solution, but haven't got anywhere yet.

 

dell just posted another M17X driver with audio fix thanks again for the heads up batboy.

btw i was on the M17X 197.31 drivers for the past two months for the audio fix until Hobgoblinpie saved me from being stuck to these drivers indefinitely.

EDIT: fixed link

 

Link not working

 

actually its more of a dpc fix for the M17X but i found these beta drivers for the M17X 197.31 and most likely the 197.86 drivers have an audio fix for the IDT audio chipset but using HD audio for distortion less playback.

 

Link please Tuenkamen.

Thanks

 

Just to clarify, the NV display driver does not touch the audio driver nor would it include a 'fix' for the IDT driver. The only way this would touch audio is if the 15x was having DPC problems which I someone mentioned it was not as the DPC checker reported green...

The way to test this is:

1. Launch GPU-Z and select the sensor tab (be sure to check 'continue to refresh')
2. Launch the DPC Checker
3. Launch WMP and start mp3 playback - select Now Playing ---> Visualizations ---> Alchemy ---> Random (this will cause the GPU to up clock to 3D clocks).
4. Now quickly disable Visualization (same process as above except select 'None' or 'No Visualizations').
5. Observe GPU-Z and DPC Checker - as the clocks reach each downclock stage if you see a high range yellow or red spike then this is a DPC issue.

I do not believe DPC from the NV driver is responsible for this as NV resolved this issue in all of their mobile driver releases (current). The other clear indicator this is not DPC related is the fact this crackling can only be heard from the audio out jack (headphones).

It might also help to run a trace which StamatisX mapped out the process for everyone... see this thread for more info - bottom line, it may not be DPC but if it is, this will show it.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/461247-m17x-dpc-isr-tracing.html

 

First of all. Thank Batboy this is the first really technical test anyone from DELL suggested to test if there really is a problem with this whole sound problem thing with the m15x. So +1 rep.

Secondly I do get yellow spikes (over 1000us) only a few tho but i get a lot of spikes of around 800-900us barely at 1000us.

Tried this with WMP and iTunes(got more on iTunes).

Check screen shots:
ImageShack Album - 3 images

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/7223/test2lg.jpg

Again. Dell should hire more of you.

 

I've had a good look over possible solutions to the audio problems with headphones, and the only way to do it would be through changing the actual hardware (I am 99.9% sure of this).

WASAPI drivers, as noted by some testers of my method, and myself, produce a louder sound so crackling becomes more pronounced when using headphones.

I do not have a headphone amplifier, or a seperate amplifier, but I'm willing to bet that with one (even software, like the creative x-fi expresscard solution) the crackling would stop.

In Winamp however, the effects of crackling is less pronounced. Set your windows mixer to 50% and winamp to 100% and you should not encounter crackling (and if you do, just change winamp's volume).

That is the only 'fix' (I wouldn't call it a fix personally) I can provide without suggesting to go out and buy something.

I should note that if you have a speaker system that you can plug a pair of headphones into, you will not encounter crackling (listening through the headphone ports in my M15x gives me crackling at relatively low volume, whereas through my speaker system, I get no crackling at essentially deafening levels).

@Anyatan. I'm assuming that you're in Stealth Mode.

I find that stealth mode does not cause any audio problems.

 

LOL anyatan - but I dont work for Dell.. although I do think that would be a kick! Just your friendly NBR mod who enjoys supporting the community and working to make NBR's AW forum the best on the net



@goblin:
The yellow spikes you saw I do not believe are high enough to impact audio playback. Close - but typically you would hear it once it reaches the red area of the checker. Now if it looked like the attached (from M17xR1 prior to the DPC fix by NV) - then we would have a clear indicator it is DPC related.

Are the yellows in sync with each step down of the GPU clocks?

EDIT: Just to recap my initial thought re: DPC - since this is only happening with the headphone jack, I think DPC can safely be dropped from the equation. You would be hearing it across the board (internal speakers + Audio out).

 

@Hob - i dont nor never use stealth mode. I dont see the point nor purpose of it.

@Batboy - is it me.or hob ur addressing to? And u should apply to work at dell, i think people @ their aw tech support know or rather care about these issues. All they care about is the money.

 

Maybe you could try an echo expresscard soundcard instead of the standard outputs. It also has a super high 120dB s/n ratio

 

Mmm well i have the problem too, i have read all the post in this section about the problem, and another forums in spanish (i'm from MX, sorry for bad english ), my problem its only with headphones, i have a external logitech audio system, and when i'm listening music the music and games and evertything sounds great for me.., now if i plug a headphones and turn up volume (like a 70% maybe...) it starts to crack, in 100% sometimes its just an awful sound , the best work for me its to uninstal IDT drivers, and just work with generic drivers of Win 7, doesn't work 100% right, but sounds turn more crearly, now i have reading another forums in spanish about this problem, and in one forum a user say that probably the sound card its not controlling good the power that sends to the headphones (they say sends too much power, and the sound at high levels just starts crackling), the sound dont crack in external sound system because have another power source, and at least for me its the best explanation i found of this problem, because at least for me its only with headphones, no with external sound systems (i already test in 3 different system 2 logitech, 1 sony and the sound its good), with the built in speakers no problem, only with headphones and only if i go more than 70% up in volume, with music, games, videos, all the sounds cracks, i already tested with alienware FX off, and on and its the same for me, even in stealth mode, if i go higher than 70% with headphones... creepy sound

Again sorry for the english , if someone dont understand me in a part i try to explain it better

 

will this problem still exist with an echo indigo IOx expresscard soundcard?

 

I highly doubt it. I use a Creative X-Fi Notebook ExpressCard myself and have no audio crackling at any volume level. Have tried a variety of headphones in conjunction with the expresscard. Absolutely no issues. The volume output has easily increased by over 40% and the overall audio quality has improved substantially as well. From day one, irrespective of the audio crackling I've been very disappointed with the on-board audio. Volume output is pathetic via the line outs when using headphones. Sound quality is weak at best. Very understated. Using external speakers there was also a small amount of line noise/interference being generated in my case, irrespective of the speakers/cabling used. With the expresscard I have none of these issues. Yes, I know it's not a true "X-Fi" card. (My desktop is using the Creative PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium sound card. Love it!) The Windows 7 64-bit drivers are still beta's as well and watered down versions at that, but get the job done nicely for what they are. Still a far superior audio solution in my opinion over the on-board sound. That being said, I wasn't aware of the Echo Digital Audio Expresscard solution. Would be "very" interested to hear first hand impressions of this card in conjunction with the M15x. Like to keep my options open.

 

nice to see you found a solution for your audio problems

 

I think this is the only solution to the problem(ATM):

Buying (Additional expenses) an external sound card despite the fact that we are already spending a fortune on the m15x itself.

Again so much for the "Ultimate Gaming Laptop."

 

nothings perfect Anyatan even i know that fact. all i can say is what you just said for the best quality sound get an external one and it solves all problems imho.

hopefully will have a sound card by the end of summer or near the beginning of winter.

 

Heads up to any of you who are not aware, caes2004 is like erawneila - they both are Dell/AW Engineering folks. Today, caes2004 contacted one of you and asked for additional info in connection with this audio issue - I received a PM asking for confirmation, it is a legit contact so I am posting here to say "Yes".

Bottom line, its ok to respond. I promise they are not trying to steal your service tag

 

Thank you for your feedback regarding this issue. We have been able to reproduce it based on your input and we are currently working on the issue. In the mean time, please update the audio IDT driver to version 6.10.0.6241, A01 and also ensure you have the latest BIOS A06.

If you still have the issue, please private message me and let me know and I will get back to you. My user id is caes2004.

Thanks, Adriana

 

thank you very much for looking into this. the community appreciates it alot.

 

I'm running the output of my Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Notebook to a cMoyBB v2.02 (an awesome little headphone amp), then from there to a pair of Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (80 Ohms) headphones. Couldn't ask for a better audio experience as a result per my M15x. Sad to say, but sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands. Even if a true solution is provided by DELL at this point I doubt I'll even take the time to implement it and test as my current audio solution will most certainly still be superior to anything the M15x is capable of on its own. That being said, I certainly appreciate DELL taking the time to investigate this issue.

 

Hi everyone! I'm new here, so be gentle, haha!

I got my M15x about 3 weeks ago. I also have the audio crackling. Unbelievable that a $2000 pc has these issues?!?! I had AW tech support on the phone several times and even had my I/O board changed out to no avail. I was told they were working on the issue and for me to keep looking out for the new bios and audio driver. This was told to me on 8-3-10. Well, the new bios A07 didn't fix it, so not sure how long before we see the new audio driver. I did notice that when the crackling does happen, the alien eyes are blinking (cpu working), but not always on every blink. I also notice that the crackling goes away when you disconnect the power supply and run it on battery. We all know about battery life on these machines.

You guys are probably gonna throw things at me for this, but my whole purpose of buying this pc was for high end studio / live recordings of bands. Not gaming?!?! (Although I plan to buy a game or two just to mess around with). I really need this audio issue fixed! I use my M15 for recording 32 simultaneous tracks via firewire. The onboard FW can't do it because it's not compatible with DICE drivers that Presonus uses in the StudioLive digital mixer. So the solution to that is a Startech FW express card. Low and behold my express slot wouldn't work. A house call from tech support with a new exp slot fixed it. BTW, the original exp slot wasn't even plugged in!! The tech installed the new one anyway. So that problem is solved.

I really need the phone jacks to work correctly for my application. Since I already have the express slot occupied and can't use the x-fi notebook card, is there any other recommendations to a fix?

It sounds like this is only happening on the M15. Why just the M15 and not the M17?

Should I go with a usb sound card? I really don't want to do that, cause I pretty much have all 3 usb slots in use.

Is there any way to pull just the audio from the HDMI output?

SD

 

Dell are changed my old M15x (cracking sound problem) and now have one new unit, this unit work perfect the sound are correct no cracking and i have install the IDT drivers.

 

How long did you have to fight to get the new one?

 

1 year +/-

 

I'm curious to how many of you still have audio crackling? Are you just living with it cause it's not that important? Are you contacting Dell / AW on a regular basis for a fix? How many are using an alternative sound card and what kind? How many of you actually had this fixed and if so, what did Dell do to fix it? I'm now past my 21 days to just return it, so I have to find a solution.
Any info is greatly appreciated!

SD

 

I'm still having audio crack, even with A07.

Living with it for now, but when they'll change my 260m for 5850 I'll ask questions...

 

Not to resurrect a dead thread (maybe it wasn't dead) but I just noticed cracking

It only happens with the AIM receive sound, at the end of it. It does the Ring then at the end it crackles everytime

Was the A07 + newest driver a fix for it?

Also am I safe to update to A07 with a 5870m video? I don't want it to suddenly stop working

 

I have the A07, but I still get the audio cracking when playing windows media player...

 

I had the audio crackling issue when I had a GTX260m, when they came out and replaced the CPU, mainboard, and put in a 5850, the issue was resolved. So it had to either be the graphics card, or the older rev. motherboard.

 

They replace all that cause of the sound? The sound is pretty annoying its like SOS'ing to me...

 

No, they replaced it all because of the GPU throttling / down-clocking issue. But it happened to kill 2 birds with one stone.

 

i have the same problems.

speakers are clear, but when i plug in headphones sound is terrible. audio cracks, and even becomes distorted when turned out to max volume. at lower volumes its clear and crackling is less noticeable.

 

Solution? Give a new Machinne and cross fingers.

 

It seems that craking was caused by the command center ...?!

Yesterday, I uninstalled command center, pass CCleaner, cleaned the registry and re-installed the new command center from dell website.

I played games right after and It seems it fixed 97 % of the craking in my headphones...

 

huh this should be added to the first post as I have done the same and haven't had problems with sound (but i don't use max volume alot btw). So it makes sense though that after mobo replacements people have no sound issues in certain cases.

 

I did'nt played with max volume...but I had audio crack and distortion every 10-20 seconds when playing games...

Now, [ for now ], it's gone.