Alienware m17x R3 - Built in Speakers work great, headphones have low volume

Although I spend my life behind my computer, and work in IT. I'm still stumped by an audio issue I'm having with a laptop. I've tried many different solutions and can't seem to come upon one that works. If any of you kind souls could help me that would be wonderful.

System Specs:
Alienware m17x R3, running Windows 7 Home Premium
Pre-installed on this computer were the following audio-related software:
-Realtek HD Audio Drivers
-"Alienware Audio" Supposed to be a hub for controlling playback and microphones
-"Dolby Home Theater v4"

Issue: Sound works perfectly, volume level and quality, when using the laptops built in speakers. But when I plug in headphones, even at max volume, the max they will output is about 5% volume. In short, when I plug in my headphones, there is very very little volume.

So what I've tried so far has been the following:
-Ensuring that windows audio controller (in task bar) is turned up to 100%, -Ensuring that "Alienware Audio" has it's settings correct and volume to 100%.
-Setting the port that is being used by my headphones as headphones, and not speakers, although the other settings have the same issue.
-Control Panel -> Sound -> Speakers (the port I'm using) -> Properties -> Communications -> Do nothing when communication software detected (Skype, Ventrilo, Mumble etc)
-Messing around with Dolby Home Theater v4 settings, and ultimately turning it off as it just distorts and blurs the sound.
-Reinstalling the audio drivers provided by Dell on their tech support site.
-Installing other audio drivers that were recommended by people who had similar problems.
-Opening up the computer and ensuring the connection to the headphone ports was secure, and as built by the manufacturer.

In conclusion, I believe it to be a software problem, not a hardware problem.The only work around I have found is to plug in external speakers, and turn their volume up (amplify the sound externally) to make it audible. But this is not a workable solution for headphones.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I want to be able to use headphones with my computer but I just can't get it to work.
As a last resort I can do a fresh install of Windows, but I'd rather avoid that if I have the chance.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I even reinstalled Windows 7 and all the drivers and the issue still exists!

 

did you try open Volume mixer and ensure the specific output has the right gain adjustment,

 

Yes I did, that was one of the first things I tried =\

 

try updating the the NEWer Realtek audio drivers over the older dell ones, this fixed my problem with the audio output

Realtek

 

Which is the one that you downloaded? I tried downloading the second one a couple hours ago and it didn't fix my problem. Should there be a different one that I download?

 

second one, just to cover the basics, hvae you tried multiple headphones? what kind of headphones are you using? maybe its bad jack, have you tried wiggling the plug in the jack

 

Do you have a HDMI to VGA adpter setup for a second monitor?

If so , right click on the volume icon in the task bar, left click on "playback devices"

then right click on "Speakers / headphones" and set as default...

 

Yes, 6 pairs.
Steel Series Siberia, Samsung Ear Buds, Razer Kraken Headset, and three of my friends pairs that I can't remember.
Tried that, no wiggle.
Yes I have a setup for a second monitor.
Speakers/Headphones are already set as default, and have been.

 

Humm... wow maybe it is hardware,

 

Have you tried the audio with NO external monitors plugged in

 

Yes, same issue.