Confusion problem regarding speakers

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Hexagon_777

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#1 Hexagon_777
Member since 2007 • 20348 Posts

I bought the Microlab M-700 speakers recently, set them up, and realized not long ago that the right speaker is quieter than the left speaker. This, of course, bugged me, so I looked into the manual, but that didn't help much. I then decided to switch the cables around so thet the right speaker was plugged into the left socket and the left speaker into the right socket, and the problem had now switched speakers, meaning it wasn't that one particular speaker being at fault.

After changing the cables back to their rightful sockets, I played around with the Realtek HD Audio Manager for a while and thought I fixed the problem when I set the Main Volume to 4 instead of 0, thus making the left speaker quieter and the right speaker louder, putting them at about equal values (so that I no longer could discern the difference). Nevertheless, I then right clicked on the speaker symbol in the bottom right corner of the task bar, selected Playback Devices, Properties, Levels, and noticed that the right speaker is already at 100 whereas the left speaker is now at 60, and when I dial up the volume on the subwoofer, the right speaker hits its limit much quicker.

Going back to the first paragraph, the problem is obviously not either of the speakers when a simple switch of the cables switches the problem too. I downloaded the newest driver and the problem remained. Is there anything else I can do that puts the speakers on equal footing at all times?

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jakes456

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#2 jakes456
Member since 2011 • 1398 Posts

you could have bought cheaper and better 5.1 surround speakers. Huge mistake.

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MonsieurX

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#3 MonsieurX
Member since 2008 • 39858 Posts

you could have bought cheaper and better 5.1 surround speakers. Huge mistake.

jakes456
Nope. Quality 2.1 >crap 5.1
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MonsieurX

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#5 MonsieurX
Member since 2008 • 39858 Posts
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Hexagon_777

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#6 Hexagon_777
Member since 2007 • 20348 Posts
Is there actually any advice for the issue at hand? :P
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#7 Bozanimal
Member since 2003 • 2500 Posts
Is there actually any advice for the issue at hand? :PHexagon_777
Reduced volume in one speaker is usually due to one of three things: 1 - "Balance" needs to be adjusted at the amplifier 2 - Faulty connection 3 - Amplifier failure This is a physical problem, not a software problem. Updated drivers will not help. You've already done some investigation - and a good job, too - and it's definitely not a "balance" issue. Since it occurs regardless of which speaker you plug in, it's definitely a problem on the amplifier side. You can try bending the RCA cables slightly by crimping them a hair, to see if a tighter connection yields and improvement, but I very much doubt this is the issue. I'm guessing that there is a loose connection inside somewhere, such as a loose solder point or possible a short, and it is likely not able to be easily identified and fixed. Your best bet is to contact the manufacturer and replace them, though given the price I'm guessing it'd be almost silly to pay shipping to RMA them. I would say your best options are to either live with the unbalanced speakers and enjoy them at the volumes of which they are capable, or replace them. Good luck, Boz
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#8 Hexagon_777
Member since 2007 • 20348 Posts

[QUOTE="Hexagon_777"]Is there actually any advice for the issue at hand? :PBozanimal
Reduced volume in one speaker is usually due to one of three things: 1 - "Balance" needs to be adjusted at the amplifier 2 - Faulty connection 3 - Amplifier failure This is a physical problem, not a software problem. Updated drivers will not help. You've already done some investigation - and a good job, too - and it's definitely not a "balance" issue. Since it occurs regardless of which speaker you plug in, it's definitely a problem on the amplifier side. You can try bending the RCA cables slightly by crimping them a hair, to see if a tighter connection yields and improvement, but I very much doubt this is the issue. I'm guessing that there is a loose connection inside somewhere, such as a loose solder point or possible a short, and it is likely not able to be easily identified and fixed. Your best bet is to contact the manufacturer and replace them, though given the price I'm guessing it'd be almost silly to pay shipping to RMA them. I would say your best options are to either live with the unbalanced speakers and enjoy them at the volumes of which they are capable, or replace them. Good luck, Boz

Thank you so much for your response. It was very helpful, although it didn't raise my spirits! :P