MSI GX640 Speaker Problem

So I think this is a common problem with the GX640. I'm finding the right speaker has a lot of static/vibration when volume is pushed beyond 25%-30%. This is especially true if the sound has extensive bass. If you have this problem please report it below. I say this because, if its a standard problem across all the GX640s, then it's pointless to return it, since the new unit will also have this problem.

I know Molius said he reduced the vibration somewhat, so hopefully we can find some sort of fix to this problem.

 

No vibration what so ever on mine, balance good, 0-100% volume same sound volume on both, but they sound so bad, how can any one tell? I'm using a set Logitech V20's and they sound great. (powered off a USB port). Bought GX640 @ newegg. And replaced the slow seagate OEM HDD with a Hitachi 500GB, which smokes the Seagate.
If I had the problems you have described, I'd RMA it, because I don't believe all units are defective as you are trying to establish. The problems I've seen on this forum with this unit, the keyboard flex, the spacebar flex (mine none) the power/video/hibernation crap (10.3's- disable powerplay-(mine none),the vibrations, the high temps- I don't have any of these problems. And I'm happy with my purchase totally. It's a great unit for what it is, and like anything you buy new, you just have to tweak and work through the problems. Try going to realtek.com and getting the latest audio drivers, and see if that helps, the ones I downloaded were from April I think, and work good. maybe it will jolt win 7 into shape for ya! - Aye?

 

Wait. Did you or did you not disable PowerPlay?

 

Start benchmarking, please

 

So, as requested by battousai10k, I'll try to explain how I "fixed/reduced" vibrations.
1. You take off the touch panel (you can find some videos in youtube where ppl show how to fix keyboard flex - they take off touch panel - no screws, no warranty restrictions involved)
2. While computer is on, play some music/sounds and unscrew the speakers so that you will see how much impact has the speaker placement in the case.
3. You can keep both speakers in your hands to ensure that none of the speakers are defected (making noise from speaker itself).
4. Take some - very little (about the size of a pinky nail) double sided tape and attach it to the back of the speaker magnet - to give it a more comfortable seating.
5. Change sound balance to one speaker and see how it should be attached into the case so that there are no vibrations left: press it with fingers etc.
6. Tighten the screws holding the speakers. =IMPORTANT= be very careful when tightening the screws as the speaker holders are very prone for breaking (I had the lesson - had to glue one). Speaker will be elevated upwards (unnaturally - it's no problem - it will be pressed down eventually by touch panel).
7. Repeat procedure with other speaker aswell. Try to play the loud music/sounds on each and both of the speakers to ensure no vibrations/noises are left or they are minimal.
8. (optional) This is also a good way to put some double sided tape under the keyboard to make it more firmly attached. For me even upper keyboard buttons also vibrated and made noise - it's gone now.
9. Reattach touch panel and test once again for teh result.

I hope it will help! At least it helped for me - I can easily watch movies now without any irritations.

 

Wait. Did you or did you not disable PowerPlay?

Absolutely DISabled PowerPlay, don't need/want it.
also disabled every power saving setting in w7. But then again I'm plugged in all the time.

 

i'm not sure what you're getting at, but powerplay has nothing to do with speakers...?

 

I was addressing the video issues some are having, knowing that speakers are a separate issue, which I don't have. Sorry about that. Have you thought about maybe the audio drivers/Win 7 are producing a bad, distorted audio output for some strange reason, causing vibration? I'd try updating the audio drivers, if for nothing else, to rule out that as a cause. Especially when you say it works until a certain volume. I feel bad that you have to go through this crap with a new unit.

 

Wait. Didn't people say to unnstall Realtek drivers, or the other one (whatever its name is)?

 

I haven't tried that but i think its more of a hardware issue than a software issue.

 

Hey battousai10k, I just received a GX640 this morning and am having the same problem - it seems that at ANY volume level there is distortion in the right speaker by the power button. Are you going to be RMAing it?
If you find a solution, let me know

 

Yes, I'm getting an RMA. I'm trying to get it refunded w/o restocking fee. Then i'm going to wait a bit and look around or buy the GX640 again. The speaker problem is not a HUGE issue for me because its something i dont mind at that price level. However, i'm going to decide before purchasing it again.

 

Where did you purchase it from?
Let me know how smooth the RMA goes, I'm not sure what I should do... The laptop otherwise seems great, I'm very happy with all other aspects of it - I may call the MSI hotline and ask how much tinkering I can do with it before I void my warranty.
I've been listening to music non stop for the last couple hours with it, and the viberating seems to have slowed down to an *almost* unnoticeable level. I think I'm going to let some music play overnight ... not that I've ever heard of a half inch speaker needing to break in, but I'm willing to try it

 

UPDATE:

The rattling noise has completely vanished.
I'm an electronics student and this really baffles me.
The only thing I can think of is that the heat sink directly under the speaker melted some glue that holds the speaker in or something, and fixes the problem (as it does get pretty warm after long use - especially if I have it on my lap.

So, let it sit for a while with a video running, or with a benchmark program open, see if it fixes itself for you.

 

thats very interesting. So basically all you did was play music loudly and it fixed overtime?

 

Not really even that. When I woke up this morning I installed steam, and let it download my games (~10gb) I noticed a tiny bit of rattle when I played a song via youtube, and turned it off.

I went out and came back about 8 hours later to check up on it. It was certainly warm, and windows update asked for a restart. When it restarted and logged in I noticed the login sound didn't rattle. I played a couple youtube vids, watched an onion news clip, and it has yet to make an unwanted noise at all.

 

WOW. Definitely my first time hearing about breaking in a speaker (and related components).

 

*please delete this message*

 

really annoying problem. no new ideas how to fix it?

 

unfortunately, the gx640 just sucks, you can't do much about it. They spent all their money on the other stuff, forgot how important the speakers are. Best solution is to turn off SRS in the audio setting