"unbalanced" sound from Studio XPS 1640

Since I received this laptop on Friday, I have been testing it out thoroughly. I am wondering if anyone else with this laptop can check theirs.
The first thing I did was downloaded all of the updated drivers and patches.
The sound, whether I am playing a cd, dvd or Itunes, is mainly coming from the right speaker. When I open up the control panel and click on the "Windows" sound tab, I can adjust the balance. The right speaker test is fine. The left speaker test sounds like the sound is coming from the left-center. When I go to the control panel and click on the "IDT Audio progam, I am able to perform the same balance tests with the same results.
I checked the sound with an IASCA Sound Reference CD and the speakers are wired in phase.
When I use earphones, the sound and balances are perfect.

I know that I will not get audiophile sound out of a laptop. but I expect the correct balance characteristics.

I would appreciate any feedback on this matter.

Thank You,
Thraak

 

have you complained to dell? cause if i were you i would since its a brandnew laptop

 

I actually just noticed it tonight. The past couple of days I have been busy loading patches,software,photos and transferring documents to this laptop.

So, I sat down this evening to watch a music dvd and knew this isn't right.

Right now, I am checking out the IDT website but have not found any answers. It does appear that the headphone jack does use some other circuitry than the speakers. I don't know because the "windows" sound program has the same effect.

thraak

 

I performed some additional tests and here are my conclusions:

I used Alan Parsons Sound Quality "Soundcheck" CD. I performed these tests at 50% volume. When I played a "pink noise" generated tone, the left and right speaker each recorded a 107 db level with each channel isolated.

When I played 1 khz reference tone at the same 50% volume, I recorded 107 db for the left speaker and 115 db for the right.

So, there is a 8 db differential.

This may not be an issue with some, it is for me.

Thraak

 

Have you called Dell about this to have them fix it? I'm just curious if they would claim this as "normal" or not.

 

I haven't called them because my ordering experience was a nightmare. I do not want to put myself through that. I will call if I decide to return it. I did post a thread in the support forum.

I also emailed the pc-support dept. of the developer, Integrated Device Technology

Thraak

 

8dB may not sound much but, as its a log scale, a 3dB drop is a halving of volume - so 8dB is less than a quarter of perceived volume.

 

I'm not saying you don't have a sound balance issue, you obviously do, but surely those dB values can't be right. With those values, each speaker on your laptop at 50% volume is as loud as a rock concert.

edit: VVVVVV True, if it's right on the grill it's probably possible. I retract my comment.

 

I'd assume thats with a mic pushed up to the grill rather than a reading from a concert that would be at a fair distance from the speakers (usually the front of house mix position
Does still seem like a lot though at half volume.

 

I placed the spl meter directly on the speaker grille. It seemed more accurate than holding it above the grille.

 

Just wanted to bump this thread to let everyone know I have the balanced sound issue as well.

I'm running stock vista drivers not the dell supplied ones so it's definately a hardware problem.

 

New dell supplied drivers today.

Same issues...

 

yeah the new driver didnt say in the description it will address this.

i tried to get help for this in the dell forums, but no one knew anything. so i contacted tech support who told me all sorts of diagnostic measures, but to no avail.

the problem isnt the speakers, it the subwoofer. too much sound is being sent to it making it act like a third speaker, but only on the right. they can fix this through a bios or audio driver update.

my advice is that everyone with the 1640 report their speaker issues to tech support and make them speed up the release of the driver fix.

 

This happened to me before, but it's actually easy to fix: Just turn down the volume until it cant go any lower (using the media button on the top of the keyboard) and then just turn the volume back up! And I almost forgot, you must play some kind or song or movie (on the laptop obviously) or anything that uses audio while you do this.

 

I think the issue has been fixed with the latest drivers.

 

I updated the drivers to my NEW REPLACEMENT 1640 and the sound is still horrible.... and it only comes out of the right side....what the hell!

Do you guys think if i do a fresh install I could correct the problem or are the hardware (speakers) just defective?


Please advise!

 

I hope you know it has to do with the placement of the subwoofer. Nothing to do with faulty Hardware. Does it bother you that much?

 

This unbalanced sound problem is also driving me nuts. Has anyone been able to solve it yet?

 

If it is indeed due to the subwoofer, then it's a design flaw and there isn't much to be done unless you can somehow disable the thing or Dell releases a driver to reroute the whole hardware mechanics somehow.

 

A solution is just to take out the subwoofer from your machine. I assume that won't do any harm . . . It doesn't act like a subwoofer anyway.

 

I'm thinking of doing that because, if you've read my other thread, the subwoofer is also causing a horrible rattling/buzzing sound due to the vibration it creates,

 

To be quite honest I think you just need to get the thing fixed...you could probably have had it repaired by now if you'd just called Dell.

 

That'd work if it was a hardware flaw. Can we confirm that other users have no imbalance of sound at all? If so, it's probably a defective unit alright.

If it's a design flaw, then it can't be fixed though. That's like saying you send your thing back because the trackpad isn't in the center lol

If the placement of the subwoofer causes unequal sound, they can't remake the whole chassis for you >_>

 

There's no way this problem can be exclusive to a small number of units. The "subwoofer" is not a subwoofer; it's a mid range speaker. There is a 3rd speaker off center in between the left and right speakers. The problem is obviously the design. I guess some people just haven't noticed this flaw on their sxps 16.