Volume fluctuation with my new 5.1 speakers? :o - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

seretogis · 08-30-2004, 12:36 PM

Soo, I got a new set of 5.1 speakers (two in teh rear, a left, right, and center speaker, and subwoofer). The only problem is that while listening to, say, mp3s with them seemingly randomly the volume shifts -- it will go quiet for a few seconds, then louder for a few seconds, then back to normal volume. It's very odd, and I have no idea what may be causing the problem. My old speakers didn't do anything like that so I am thinking it may be the onboard SoundMAX card not handling the speakers correctly or maybe some sort of odd setting? I'm just hoping someone may has experienced a similar problem.

Relevant Stats:
ASUS P4P800SE Mobo with "SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio" (same prob with a SB Live! Value)
D-Link DFE-530TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
BFG Nvidia GeForce 6800

Scorpion23 · 08-30-2004, 12:44 PM

Onboard sound cards like soundmax traditionally have a hard time with 5.1 sound. I've got a motherboard with soundmax on it and it worked fine with 2 speakers. When I switched it to 5.1 it started going crazy. Ghost sounds, dropping out, etc.

I would just spend a little money and go for a stand-alone card. Creative is good of course, but there are plenty out there for around $20-30 that give fine 5.1 sound. Newegg has a few, you could check them if you wanted.

SecretMethod70 · 08-30-2004, 12:57 PM

what speakers are they? Sorry, I can't help you, but I'm looking into 5.1 speakers myself so I'm very curious.

EDIT: Regarding a sound card, I recommend the SoundBlaster Audigy if you're looking for a good but relatively cheap solution.

seretogis · 08-30-2004, 01:57 PM

I plugged in my SB Live! Value (which supports 5.1, supposedly) and experience the same problem with the sound volume fluctuating. The speakers are the Creative Inspire T5400 model.

Lasereth · 08-30-2004, 02:23 PM

There's a difference between the SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 and the SoundBlaster Live! Value. I had no idea the Value supported 5.1, but I know for certain that the Live! 5.1 DOES support 5.1 very well. You can get the 5.1's on NewEgg for really cheap ($20 or less). I'd try to find someone with a 5.1 before you order one though...those Value's might actually support 5.1.

-Lasereth

Furious M · 08-30-2004, 05:10 PM

Probably not what your problem is, but worth a check anyway:

If you've got the speaker wires touching any power cable, you could be getting interference. Usually if that's the case the distortion will be constant, but it's still worth a check. Check the easy, cheap stuff first I always say.

08-30-2004, 12:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
seretogis Huggles, sir? Location: Seattle	Volume fluctuation with my new 5.1 speakers? :o Soo, I got a new set of 5.1 speakers (two in teh rear, a left, right, and center speaker, and subwoofer). The only problem is that while listening to, say, mp3s with them seemingly randomly the volume shifts -- it will go quiet for a few seconds, then louder for a few seconds, then back to normal volume. It's very odd, and I have no idea what may be causing the problem. My old speakers didn't do anything like that so I am thinking it may be the onboard SoundMAX card not handling the speakers correctly or maybe some sort of odd setting? I'm just hoping someone may has experienced a similar problem. Relevant Stats: ASUS P4P800SE Mobo with "SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio" (same prob with a SB Live! Value) D-Link DFE-530TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter BFG Nvidia GeForce 6800 __________________ seretogis - sieg heil perfect little dream the kind that hurts the most, forgot how it feels well almost no one to blame always the same, open my eyes wake up in flames Last edited by seretogis; 08-30-2004 at 01:59 PM..

08-30-2004, 12:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	what speakers are they? Sorry, I can't help you, but I'm looking into 5.1 speakers myself so I'm very curious. EDIT: Regarding a sound card, I recommend the SoundBlaster Audigy if you're looking for a good but relatively cheap solution. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

08-30-2004, 01:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
seretogis Huggles, sir? Location: Seattle	I plugged in my SB Live! Value (which supports 5.1, supposedly) and experience the same problem with the sound volume fluctuating. The speakers are the Creative Inspire T5400 model. __________________ seretogis - sieg heil perfect little dream the kind that hurts the most, forgot how it feels well almost no one to blame always the same, open my eyes wake up in flames

08-30-2004, 02:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	There's a difference between the SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 and the SoundBlaster Live! Value. I had no idea the Value supported 5.1, but I know for certain that the Live! 5.1 DOES support 5.1 very well. You can get the 5.1's on NewEgg for really cheap ($20 or less). I'd try to find someone with a 5.1 before you order one though...those Value's might actually support 5.1. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

08-30-2004, 12:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	Onboard sound cards like soundmax traditionally have a hard time with 5.1 sound. I've got a motherboard with soundmax on it and it worked fine with 2 speakers. When I switched it to 5.1 it started going crazy. Ghost sounds, dropping out, etc. I would just spend a little money and go for a stand-alone card. Creative is good of course, but there are plenty out there for around $20-30 that give fine 5.1 sound. Newegg has a few, you could check them if you wanted.

08-30-2004, 05:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
Furious M Upright	Probably not what your problem is, but worth a check anyway: If you've got the speaker wires touching any power cable, you could be getting interference. Usually if that's the case the distortion will be constant, but it's still worth a check. Check the easy, cheap stuff first I always say.