W2V - need help for build-in subwoofer!!

Hi all,

Just bought a new W2V for about a week, overall it is very nice and a excellent laptop!!

However, so far one thing I couldn't figure out is the build-in subwoofer and the two speakers underneath the notebook, no matter what I play (DVD, CD, MP3, etc), they don't make any sounds/noises. Only the two speakers until the LCD work

I've installed the latest audio driver V5.10.0.5123, still no luck One thing I noticed is that ...

From the volume icon at the bottom right corner (system tray)
-> right click
-> Adjust Audio Property
-> In the first "Volumn" tab
-> Device volumn section
-> click "Advanced ..." button
-> A "Master Volumn" dialog display.
-> In this dialog, I've Master Volumn, Wave, SW Synth, Subwoofer, Center, Rear, Front, SPDIF, Video, CD Player, Line In.

** For Subwoofer, Center, Rear, and Front, all the "Mute" checkboxes are "greyed out"!! It means I cannot mute it on and off! (I've attached a screen shot of this here)

1. Is this same as yours?

2. Having these speakers' Mute checkboxes greyed out by the system, does it mean those speakers are not active? Not responsing? or not working?

PS: BTW, W2V said it has built-in 5.1. So far I can only identify the physical speakers: 2 under the LCD, 2 under the notebook in the front, 1 subwoofer. It seems I missed one, any ideas?

PS: I've upgraded to 2G RAM, will it be the one who install the RAM somehow loosen the audio cables while openning the keybroad, etc?!

Any helps would be very much appreciate!!!

Many thanks,
Charles.

 

I am quite sure i saw it specified as '5.1 sound' on asus site weeks ago, but a few days ago i saw it as '5 stereo speakers', which apparently is alot closer to the truth.
The speakers in front and subwoofer does play when you select 2 channel speaker configuration.
You can find new drivers ver. 5.10.00.5152 at realtek.

My mixer is grayed out in same way as yours.

 

Thanks Speedy! I think I got fooled by the Master Volumn control panel

When I test it, I turned down the "Front" button while having all the Center, Rear, Subwoofer to the top (highest vol.). Doing this makes no sounds at all, and I thought the subwoofer and the speakers underneath do not work.

Now given you said you've the same that those Mute checkboxes are greyed out as well, I test again and listen carefully with my ear close to the subwoofer and speakers, I think I can hear they do play!

Just somehow it is not a real 5.1 system, and you said even Asus now changed to 5 stereo speakers, not 5.1 system

Anyhow, you mentioned the new driver, I went to the Realtek website ( www.realtek.com.tw), I don't know which chipset to choose, and can't find the driver you mentioned. Could you point me to the right place?

Do you also have any audio file with heavy bass and such, so that I can use to further confirm the subwoofer works?

Many thanks for your help!! Really appreciate!!

 

wdm_r124.exe at http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads...s=2004061&Software=True&title=HD Audio CODECs is the correct driver.

The audio file i can't help with, and dont expect the speaker system to pass any THX bass tests either.
You should really just look at the subwoofer as an extra, little bigger, speaker.
In my ears that speaker makes the sound go from crappy notebook standard sound, to acceptable sound, but no more.

 

Many thanks Speedy, really appreciate!!

 

I agree, and am having the same issue. The way the drivers are currently addressing all the speakers is in a 2 channel stereo mode. I've been chasing up the tech support and double checked with them what sort of configuration they're supposed to have and got this response.

"Dear Friend :
Yeah, The W2V comes with built 5.1 surround sound speakers. and I have tested the W2V without any problem. below is the parameter:
BIOS version: 0206
audio driver: V5.10.0.5123
windows XP pro."

I've tried this configuration and upgrading the driver to V5.10.0.5152, with no success.

He's recommending taking it into a service centre but I'm not going to be able to do that for a number of weeks, and I'm dubious about the results I'll get considering the number of people with the same issue here. I think it's a matter of convincing Asus that there is a problem here and have them rectify it. Either through a driver update or them admitting that it's a 4/5 speaker stereo system.

In every other way it's a great notebook, but it's frustrating to be sold on an aspect of the system that just isn't there.

 

Who ever said or would believe a notebook has 5.1 channel speakers built into the unit? I will argree and so will others than it's the same set up that's on the W1...... since the W1's been out for 18 months or so, many many more people already have that and can atest to it's speakers.......... they are set up in a 4.1 setup..... there's no center channel... and obviously since all the speakers are infront of you, it's a bit overkill to have 4.1 to begin with...

Now.. they want to call the subwoofer a 5th speaker... ok.. I sort of get it, but it is actually only pumping out the lows, so it's a sub and the ".1" ..... I notice they say that on their global site, but those are Taiwanese translating into English... where they dumb enough to post that on their US site as well? I know that isn't on our site anyway...

 

I bought my W2V in Australia but on both the Oz and US sites,

http://au.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=5&l2=22&l3=0&model=520&modelmenu=1
http://usa.asus.com/products/notebook/w2series/w2000v/w2000v_overview.htm

"Cinematic Multimedia Experience
Incorporated with discrete graphics for 3D video enhancement and the exclusive Color Shine glare-type and Crystal Shine high brightness LCD technologies from ASUS, the W2V’s luxurious 17” widescreen presents sharp and clear images in their true vibrant colors. In addition, the W2V also offers 5.1 channel stereo sound, built-in subwoofer, and built-in SPDIF connection, presenting rich sound effects ideal for multimedia applications."

I realise now that this possibly refers to connected external speakers, but if it does it's a rather disingenuous statement, considering they also state there's a built in subwoofer, ".1". There seem to be people on this forum and others who assumed that this is what was being said.

I'd be quite happy to live with 4 speakers, builtin, in 2 channel stereo (and a sub), but I want to make sure that this is the case before I let this go.

 

I agree with you all!! I think Asus should clarify this!!

 

Yeah, we have been trying that from Asus the last month or so, but no reaction so far. Not even on the Asus support forum..........

 

Heck with Asus clarifiying, everyone with a W1n, an M6bn, M6bne, Z70a, Z70v, Z70va..... all of the same speakers 4 speaker set up..... and the W1 obviously has the subwoofer as well. You get Stereo sound out of 4 speakers, and lows going to the sub which takes the tinging out of the other speakers and makes it more clear. If you add up the people on this forum with those systems above, and include the new W2 owners........ that should make up at LEAST half of this forum... so people should chip it even if they don't own a W2 because it's the same situation......

You don't have can't have 4.1 surround sound, because well.... you can't sit on your keyboard....... what the 4 stereo speakers allows you to do though is have virtual surround from the laptop, by the way they mix those 4 speakers......... (which does really work and is weird to hear it, but it's virtual... obviously)......... Anyone who bought a laptop because they think that have 5.1 surround within the laptop can't think logically and don't have anyone to blame but themselves for not questioning it first....... Asus' words and specs are screwed up 50% of the time... I mean, right now the dimensions on our site are 100% accurte... I measured them myself..... Asus's site says the units bigger, by far. I don't know how they screw these things up.

The sound on the W2 is exactly how it's supposed to be and it'll trump any other notebook's built in speakers......

 

Hold your horses, Justin.......I think there are a lot of users waiting on a respons from Asus. This is REALLY an issue.

We don't expect the sound of a home theatre system, but if Asus promotes the W2 as a 4-1 "multimedia" system, then that is what it should do.

edit: Maybe we should continue the W2 sound issue in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=25827

 

Yeah, no need for multiple threads........ there is a driver issue that they are working on and will solve shortly....... but as far as the speakers themselves.... they are what they have always supposed to be...... 4 speakers in stereo w/ a sub....... right now the one things you can get to work with the sub are dvds.... otherwise everything is just playing all highs and lows through all speakers and not seperating them..... that needs to and is getting worked on...... it works on the W1, so I'm positive it's only a driver issue.

 

Hello, Justin

Could you please tell me :

1.whether there's a new sound driver
for the W2 and where ?

2. what are the right settings for the Windows
and the Asus Audio Manager when one is listening
using :
(a) the embedded speakers and
(b) external speakers

Thanks in advance

Joseph

 

Joseph,

1. No new driver *yet* but Asus US did say they got an update they were asked to test out (but I wasn't given it yet)....... since I wasn't, it's probably not done yet.

2. Stereo speakers - for the internals.
for externals... it depends on what you're using... if you have a 5.1 setup.. then 5.1.. if you only have two stereo speakers.. then stereo...

 

Thank you for the very quick reply