W510 Irregular Sound Quality and Volume

[m6arate]

I bought my w510 a few months ago, and just recently a problem developed with the sound. I believe the problem has to do with a software issue.

Running Windows 7 64 bit, music playback in any program works when the volume is over a certain level. If a song becomes quiet, the output volume decreases much more than expected. I can hear the cutoff from the normal level to this reduced level. For those who might be familiar with audio, it sounds much like a noise gate with a very fast attack. Very nasty-sounding.

I am fairly sure that low sound level causes this to happen, but there is a chance it just happens randomly. It's hard to really tell.

Needless to say, this makes comfortably listening to music impossible. I have searched around a bit and seen problems with w510 sound, but haven't seen this particular issue. I tend to think it is a software problem because the same problem occurs when using either the integrated speakers or the 1/8'' audio output. (headphone jack)

Also, this problem does not occur when I boot into Ubuntu 10.04

Anyone have any ideas? I have not yet called technical support, although I have a 3 year warranty. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

m

[don820]

Do you have this problem with Windows Media Player, or other apps?

I have no problems with WMP, sound is great. But some applications and games behave as you describe, and I've just chalked it up to bad drivers (and patiently waiting for a fix).

[m6arate]

I have this in all programs. I do not regularly use windows media player, but I ran it to test and I did experience the same problem. Should I call customer support? I'd rather not bother them if I can avoid it.

[PeterTWJ]

Disable all sound enhancement from your Windows 7 64-bit if you have not. If I am not wrong, it's a software/driver issues. This will happens especially if you are using SmartAudio equalizer.

[m6arate]

I'm still having very big problems with the sound cutting out at low levels in audio, even with audio enhancements disabled. Any final thoughts before I call customer service?

[PeterTWJ]

Actually I have this issue too, like you, with irregular sound quality and volume even with sound enhancement disabled. I tried to call the customer service and their engineer change the speaker for mi and it does not solve the problem, it is diagnosed as a software/driver issue and the engineer told me there's nothing they can do and he asked me to check the Lenovo forum frequently for new update and new drivers.

Perhaps when more people contact the customer service regarding of this problem, they will take note of the problem and solve it asap.

[m6arate · Accepted solution]

I believe this post may have solved my problem. I will have to wait and see. I will report back if I experience it again.

http://forum.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/W510-stereo-audio-mixing-problems-loss-of-stere...

Basically, I thought I had disabled all of my sound enhancements, but I had not. If you are experiencing this problem, try:

Sound Settings > Select "Speakers" > Properties > Enhancements Tab > Check the box that says "Disable all enhancements"

I guess what I happened is when I originally tried that I thought that having none of the boxes checked meant that nothing was activated. Seems kinda weird to me that it's an opt-out rather than an opt-in. (I think it's fine to have it already selected, but it seems weird to have to select something to disable things. Maybe I'm too picky about good user interfaces. Whatever)

[123main]

Just want to say thanks, this solved my problem as well.

[lshillman]

Registered an account here so that I could say thank you for this, and it definitely worked on my configuration.  Hope this helps other people.

[lisa98647]

i had to register, just to say thank you.

this solved my problem.

i didnt notice the "disable all enhancements"-check box.

thanks thanks thanks

this was a huge problem for me, as i also use my w510 as a daw

-lisa