W520 Sound Enhancement Thread

[ColonelONeill]

Try uninstalling SRS then installing it again...
It's always installed fine for me. (Conexant SmartAudio installed at Windows 7 install, hasn't been touched since.)

[kirayamato26]

Just thought I'd post about the volume. I think it is a driver issue, as it gets almost deafeningly loud in Ubuntu once I put the output volume all the way to the max (past 100%). And unless I'm imagining things, the Ubuntu's 100% is louder than Windows'.

[PeterTWJ]

Yes, kirayamato26

If you still have Windows 7 in another partition, you can play around with the SmartEQ / 3D Settings and something is limiting the power of blasting and can you help me by testing my custom EQ to see if it is as loud or softer than Ubuntu, thank you . 

Anyway, is there SmartAudio is Ubuntu or Linux driver? I am not a Linux user
 

SmartAudio have more than 10 feature, however only 4 of it is enabled and the rest is hidden / disabled, I am not sure why is that so...

In the enabled section, SmartEQ / 3D Settings, Conexant Proprietary Phantom Bass is disabled. Even running with Windows Default driver, it is soft too.
 

Thank You

Peter

=============================================
Does someone post helps you? Give them a kudos as a reward, as they will do better to improve 

Refunded Set: W510, 4876-A11
Current Set: W520, 4284-A99

I would welcome T520 or W520 users to try this sound optimization:
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/W520-Sound-Enhancement-Thread/m-p/451401#M1551... 

[kirayamato26]

Yes, I do have Windows 7 installed. I use a Windows 7 and Ubuntu dual boot. I have my EQ settings (with Phantom Speakers and Night Mode) configured as posted in this thread. It certainly makes the speakers sound better and louder than they would otherwise in Windows, but unless my ears are failing me, it is still noticeably quieter than Ubuntu. As far as I am aware, there is no SmartAudio software in Linux.

I would like Phantom Bass as I do like my music to be bassy.

I have seen one other option, for surround sound, in SmartAudio when I was messing around with SRS software and never saw it ever again no matter what I did.

[JazJon]

Originally I noticed two audio problems on my brand new  W520.  Low Volume and Balance is not centered.

1) The over all volume was quit soft/weak compared to my previous HP and MSI laptops

I fixed the volume thanks to the post a few pages back:

-Go to Control Panel > SmartAudio > SmartEQ / 3D Settings. (boosted bass/treble and it's loud now)  

It's nice a loud again thanks

2) The balance is much louder on the right side for some reason.  Did I possibly receive a lemon bad speaker on the left?  I verified the right speaker is for sure louder.   I even spun the laptop unside down to make sure I'm not deaf in my left ear.  It's very noticable.      Anyone else have this issue?  

I recorded a video too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Q4RlKbRm4

It sounds like my left speaker is blown or damaged.  This laptop is only 2 days old!

I hope I don't have to send it back already.  What are the support options with thinkpads?

[rc87]

hey JazJon, I watched your vid... about your 2nd point, I think the left speaker is defective, it's outputting only high frequencies, tiny sound... mmm

I doubt that could be solved via software. Call Lenovo. You want a perfect laptop at that price.

[PeterTWJ]

@JazJon
Yes, your left speaker is defective. Mine does not have this problem. Contact Lenovo Support.

However, if your ears are super sensitive, you may hear a bit of different between left and right. Due to the position of the speaker, see the W520 hardware manual or remove the bezel and you will know what I mean. 

@Kirayamato26
If possible, can you contact the support and escalate this case if you have time. Thanks Most probably I would hook up a Linux VM and test or dual boot.

Recently, I have no time to do improvement, tweaks to the sound. If I have, I would probably post some new updates.

Cheers

Peter

=============================================
Does someone post helps you? Give them a kudos as a reward, as they will do better to improve 

Refunded Set: W510, 4876-A11
Current Set: W520, 4284-A99

I would welcome T520 or W520 users to try this sound optimization:

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/W520-Sound-Enhancement-Thread/m-p/451401#M1551... 

[skippur]

Fantastic Thread! Thanks a bunch for the much improved sound.

Another issue with the driver(?) is how tiny the max volume is when running the audio from headphone jack to RCA audio to Surround Sound Speakers (or any RCA speakers really). As I test these new EQ settings with the RCA ill share the improvements, if any. In the meantime any suggestions or comments?

[stackz07]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[JazJon]

Repair is taking forever.  (see below)    I think I'm going to return it for a full refund though due to the random shutdown/reboot problem. http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/W520-shuts-off-intermittently-no-BSOD-or-shut-...  (my latest reply is on page 23)

Original comments/problem description

08/12 0910 _BATT WAR ENDS:08/06/2012_MACHINE REBOOTS, SPEAKERS_SOUND DISTORTED_*

StatusStatus Date/time received Time zone Description

HP	08/22/2011 23:03:00	P	Hold for Parts - Service call is on hold until parts arrive. 08/23/2011 01:00:00
HP	08/19/2011 05:40:00	P	Hold for Parts - Service call is on hold until parts arrive.
BO	08/19/2011 05:40:00	P	The last status applied was backed off
OS	08/18/2011 09:47:00	P	Machine being repaired
AK	08/12/2011 16:14:00	P	Carrier processing request to ship container
AK	08/12/2011 12:39:00	P	Carrier processing request to