W230SS Headphone Output Issue

I'm having issues with the headphone jack on the W230SS running Windows 8.1
What it seems like it is doing is outputting as 5.1 because I am unable to hear a lot of vocals and bass in music.
Once I convert a song to mono, I am able to hear everything fine except that it is quiet. When I pan left or right, it gets really loud, probably due to how it is outputting to the headphones.
Also, the sound tests in Windows sound and VIA HD Audio deck where sound outputs to the left, then right are not correct because I hear both sounds on both sides.

I have tried changing the crossover frequency in SB Cinema but no frequencies solve the issue.
The closest fix I found so far is uninstalling SB cinema, which enables additional options in VIA HD deck, where I then enable room correction.
This however causes the sound to not sound natural, and also the left and right channels still sound the same.

I have tried reinstalling the drivers many times but it made no difference.
I went through the owners lounge but did not see anyone mentioning this issue. I did see a thread on bass issues for the W230ST, but that only mentioned changing the crossover frequency.
I find it hard to believe that I am the only one experiencing this issue.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sag...ger-np7338-owner-s-lounge-96.html#post9668721

 

I saw this post, but the issue is different than what I am experiencing.

 

Just an update. I tried 3 different headphones and they all have this issue.
I plugged in desktop speakers and it also has this issue.

I then plugged in a mono portable bluetooth speakers, and it does NOT have this issue.
Now the question is how can I force Windows to correctly output to headphones..


EDIT: I found an article saying to pull the plug out of the jack just a little bit, and this seems to work, except for the fact that the overall volume is decreased to like 30%. This seems more like a workaround than a fix. Can anyone tell if this is a software or hardware related issue so I know whether I should contact the reseller for an RMA?

 

Please note that this issue is resolved.
I was flashed with Prema bios, but once I reflashed the backup of my stock rom, it is now working correctly.

 

There is no problem with the Mod, works for hundreds of people. You installed the driver on an other BIOS so they are adjusted to work on the other BIOS.
The headphone port is driven by it's own DSP chip on the refresh models.
Just update/reinstall your audio driver after updating the BIOS and you are good.

 

Prema, I have reinstalled the drivers around 5 times with no luck.
Do you think this has to do with the fact that I bought this laptop from cyberpowerpc?
I was thinking it was just a simple rebrand but perhaps there are differences in the bios.

 

They are all the same rebrands manufacturered by Clevo.

Only other thing I can think of is that the reflash just reset the DSP values. Flash it again and see if it remains fixed this time.

Also make sure to grab the latest driver directly from clevo. Installing the same old ones won't update them.

http://www.clevo.com.tw/en/e-services/download.asp

 

Make sure you have the latest realtek and latest hotkey drivers installed.

I found there was a weird issue with the combination of both that resulted in tinny sound (weak voice) until the computer went into hybernation and taken out.

The update of both of these drivers fixed the sound issue. It was reproduceable with plugging in a gaming headset with a mic. It resulted in instantly tinning the sound quality until hybernation.

Again, the latest drivers appear to fix this issue.

 

Thanks Prema. I will try that.

The audio drivers for the W230SS is not realtek unforunately.
It's called VIA HD.

 

Prema, reflash did the trick. Thanks for the help!

 

Hi CpxAzn,

I have exactly the same problem with the same configuration and I am also under Prema mod BIOS. The only unfortunately thing is thtat I have no backup of my original BIOS. I downloaded the one Prema offers @ his MOD BIOS Thread, flashed it, the problem still remains.. flashed back Prema BIOS and it is still there. I uninstalled Audio Drivers (6.0.11.300 for Windows 7) and reinstalled them again... the same. I didn't know if I should install the ones at Clevos' website (6.0.11.500) as they say (support Sound Blaster Cinma 2 only). I'm dualbooting my machine together with Linux Mint 17 and I'm experimenting the same exact issue so I guess is something related with the BIOS flash.

Which were the steps you followed to solve this issue? I'll gratly appreciate your help!

 

In addition, under Windows 7, when I install Sound Blaster Cinema from the CD drivers... it says I have no compatible hardware to run it. (!?) Did this happen to you?

 

A guess.... Would this problem be related to "hot keys" drivers? I read somewhere here that hot keys also manage 5.1 / 2.1 sound settings. In addition, does anyone has/know where to get hot keys drivers for Linux?

 

Hi,

I've got the same problem but I'm on the stock bios (1.03.06). I've tried that specially ordered uninstal and install but it didn't work.

Is there a newer stock bios that will fix this?

Thanks

 

Given the number of people that have experienced this (including myself) Clevo really needs to address this. There's no real reason why Hotkey should have to be installed in order for the hardware to work properly. I was able to resolve the issue without reflashing the Prema mod however several people have said that reflashing resolved the problem. That tells me that the reflashing is doing something to resolve the problem and not the problem itself. I resolved the issue by uninstalling the VIA audio, hotkey and Cinema 2 and then reinstalling and restarting (VIA, Cinema 2, hotkey). Use the drivers from Clevo's website. Problem has not returned.

 

This is happening because there are two cinema drivers on Clevo's website. You need to download the Cinema 2 version. The Cinema 1 won't work.