Solved Messed up headphone audio; want to check headphone jack

DwarfVader

New Member
Messages
16
Hello Eight Forums.

My trouble is the audio output through headphones - background is louder than foreground (especially in music - I often cannot hear the vocals at all; movies however are mostly fine, for reasons unknown to me; but generally, the sound is always different in some way).

I only have one pair of headphones to test it with. However these always worked fine with previous machines, and still do work fine with my iPhone 4. Although they are surely not the case, I cannot with confidence say that if it were a loudspeaker instead things wouldn't have been different.

So this is either a software or a hardware issue.

Software

My computer (details at the bottom) came with a SoundBlaster X-Fi MB3 equalizer program and RealTek High Def Audio drivers. I've uninstalled SoundBlaster hoping it would fix the issue (I didn't need an extra program like that anyway) but alas to no avail. Updating the RealTek drivers did no good still.

The only thing I haven't touched is the ghostly NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (can it be the source of my trouble?) - I only first noticed it now when copy/pasting the Belarc data. I'll try and find out about it in the meanwhile.

Hardware

I wonder if it perhaps has something to do with my audio jack (laptop's brand new, but you can never know). I have what appears to be mic, headphone, S/PDIF and line in jacks... Is there a way to use the microphone or the line-in to test the headphones? To see if the headphone out is broken.

Any help appreciated! I will gladly provide any additional information should you decide to help me and need any.

My computer is a version of XMG P504 (mysn.co.uk/xmg-p504)
Some Belarc output:
Operating System
Windows 8.1 Professional (x64) (build 9600)
Multimedia
Bluetooth Audio Device
NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (Wave Extensible) (WDM)
Realtek High Definition Audio
Other Devices
[...]
Microphone (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Microsoft AC Adapter
Virtual Bluetooth Support (Include Audio)
Bluetooth AVRCP Device
[...]
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Schenker XMG P504
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz, 4 Cores)
    Motherboard
    Notebook P15SM-A/SM1-A
    Memory
    1x Crucial 8192MB SO-DIMM DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M (6GB GDDR5) + Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio + NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic 15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SDD 60.02 GB (SV300S37A60G)

    WDC HDD 500.11 GB (WD5000LPVX-22V0TT0)
    PSU
    ('Not sure yet)
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound (fans lol)
    Internet Speed
    3.5 Mbps down/1 Mbps up
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast!
First, the "My System Specs" is where you fill in what you have.

Does the internal speakers on the laptop work? Is the audio OK on the internal speakers?

The SoundBlaster program(s) is a software enhancement to the basic audio chip (ReaklTek). Many PC's now come with some type of enhancement such as the SoundBlaster or in the case of HP PC's its "Beats Audio".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Does the internal speakers on the laptop work? Is the audio OK on the internal speakers?

Ah yes! I seem to have forgotten a most important detail - the on board speakers are fine - there are absolutely no sound problems through them.

The SoundBlaster program(s) is a software enhancement to the basic audio chip (ReaklTek). Many PC's now come with some type of enhancement such as the SoundBlaster or in the case of HP PC's its "Beats Audio".

I see. By that do you mean I should not have uninstalled it? It did seem a bit useless to me, but if it's crucial to some features I'm not aware of I might as well reinstall the software.

First, the "My System Specs" is where you fill in what you have.

Ah, please excuse me. I'll fill those up now, instead.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Schenker XMG P504
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz, 4 Cores)
    Motherboard
    Notebook P15SM-A/SM1-A
    Memory
    1x Crucial 8192MB SO-DIMM DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M (6GB GDDR5) + Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio + NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic 15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SDD 60.02 GB (SV300S37A60G)

    WDC HDD 500.11 GB (WD5000LPVX-22V0TT0)
    PSU
    ('Not sure yet)
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound (fans lol)
    Internet Speed
    3.5 Mbps down/1 Mbps up
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast!
What type of connector is on the headset (I assume earbuds)? Is this the type with the "TRRS" plug or is it a "TRS" plug? The PC requires a "TRS" plug.

Here is a TRRS plug
 

Attachments

  • PS4 headset plug.jpg
    PS4 headset plug.jpg
    2.2 KB · Views: 846

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
I forgot to post this also.

Here is a TRS plug

3.5mm stereo plug.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
What type of connector is on the headset (I assume earbuds)? Is this the type with the "TRRS" plug or is it a "TRS" plug? The PC requires a "TRS" plug.

Here is a photo of my headphones. Since there are just 2 black rings, I guess it's TRS

headphones.png

Edit/PS: Might as well add the model of my headphones: Pioneer SE-M390
They worked with my previous computers and now they work fine with my phone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Schenker XMG P504
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz, 4 Cores)
    Motherboard
    Notebook P15SM-A/SM1-A
    Memory
    1x Crucial 8192MB SO-DIMM DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M (6GB GDDR5) + Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio + NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic 15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SDD 60.02 GB (SV300S37A60G)

    WDC HDD 500.11 GB (WD5000LPVX-22V0TT0)
    PSU
    ('Not sure yet)
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound (fans lol)
    Internet Speed
    3.5 Mbps down/1 Mbps up
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast!
Is this a new PC and has this problem always been there, or did it work OK at one time?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Is this a new PC and has this problem always been there, or did it work OK at one time?
No, this computer is literally 2 weeks old. The issue's been there since day 1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Schenker XMG P504
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz, 4 Cores)
    Motherboard
    Notebook P15SM-A/SM1-A
    Memory
    1x Crucial 8192MB SO-DIMM DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M (6GB GDDR5) + Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio + NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic 15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SDD 60.02 GB (SV300S37A60G)

    WDC HDD 500.11 GB (WD5000LPVX-22V0TT0)
    PSU
    ('Not sure yet)
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound (fans lol)
    Internet Speed
    3.5 Mbps down/1 Mbps up
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast!
Since its a new PC and has never worked correctly, best to contact the PC vendor's support. If there is a problem only the vendor can take care of it under warranty.

I don't like to put off users but this is probably the best option.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Since its a new PC and has never worked correctly, best to contact the PC vendor's support. If there is a problem only the vendor can take care of it under warranty.

I don't like to put off users but this is probably the best option.

Will do, then. However I do need my PC every weekday and will for the next month or more, so I cannot afford sending it anywhere at the moment. I was wondering if there is a way to resolve this myself.
Is it not possible to output audio through the mic out to test my headphones in?

Thank you for assistance nonetheless.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Schenker XMG P504
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz, 4 Cores)
    Motherboard
    Notebook P15SM-A/SM1-A
    Memory
    1x Crucial 8192MB SO-DIMM DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M (6GB GDDR5) + Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio + NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic 15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SDD 60.02 GB (SV300S37A60G)

    WDC HDD 500.11 GB (WD5000LPVX-22V0TT0)
    PSU
    ('Not sure yet)
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound (fans lol)
    Internet Speed
    3.5 Mbps down/1 Mbps up
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast!
Calling the vendor's support may be able to resolve the problem without sending it back. The vendor's support knows their hardware better than anyone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Under control panel - hardware and sound - manage audio devices there are options for configuring audio settings and testing the stereo channels. Maybe fiddling with the settings here will do it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 consumer 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire M5 481PT-6644
    CPU
    Intel Core I5
    Memory
    6 GB
    Hard Drives
    Spinning/SSD hybrid 500GB/20GB
    Mouse
    ELAN Trackpad
    Internet Speed
    18mbs/5mbs
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Under control panel - hardware and sound - manage audio devices there are options for configuring audio settings and testing the stereo channels. Maybe fiddling with the settings here will do it?

I did all I could, including enabling and disabling sound effects, updating and rolling back drivers. Even tried changing the bit depth and sample rate. No luck.

fireberd - I've contacted my support. Let us see what they can do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Schenker XMG P504
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz, 4 Cores)
    Motherboard
    Notebook P15SM-A/SM1-A
    Memory
    1x Crucial 8192MB SO-DIMM DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M (6GB GDDR5) + Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio + NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic 15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SDD 60.02 GB (SV300S37A60G)

    WDC HDD 500.11 GB (WD5000LPVX-22V0TT0)
    PSU
    ('Not sure yet)
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound (fans lol)
    Internet Speed
    3.5 Mbps down/1 Mbps up
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast!
Okay, I have found the issue, so I'm posting the solution here for any Schenker/XMG owner or anyone else. (Though Hotkey's developer is Clevo, so I'm pretty sure it's unique to Schenker computers...)

With their laptops comes software called Hotkey, which regulates your keyboard backlight and "performance modes". However, under the "Gaming" tab there is a sub-menu "Headphones". Se it to "Direct". It's something that's easy to miss if you don't know about it.
Not only does it fix the headphone (and potentially speaker-) output channels, the direct mode also removes any background noise your headphones might "for some reason" produce.

Note that I only noticed this option after updating the software to version 1.15.15. I'm sure it was there before as well... But I cannot guarantee anything.

It's funny because I noticed there's a new version for the program (check mysn.co.uk or whichever localization you prefer, "Support > Drivers & Downloads" for updates) and decided to see what's new. Never expected it to do something like that, but now that I know about it, it kinda makes sense.

Cheers.
And thanks to EightForums!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Schenker XMG P504
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz, 4 Cores)
    Motherboard
    Notebook P15SM-A/SM1-A
    Memory
    1x Crucial 8192MB SO-DIMM DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M (6GB GDDR5) + Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio + NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic 15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SDD 60.02 GB (SV300S37A60G)

    WDC HDD 500.11 GB (WD5000LPVX-22V0TT0)
    PSU
    ('Not sure yet)
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound (fans lol)
    Internet Speed
    3.5 Mbps down/1 Mbps up
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast!
Wow, what a strange one. Glad you figured it out and may help others. That is a strange manufacturer name. Is it unique to the UK?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.
Wow, what a strange one. Glad you figured it out and may help others. That is a strange manufacturer name. Is it unique to the UK?

It's a german manufacturer specializing in gaming laptops. I haven't heard of it some few months ago, but the reviews have all been very satisfactory, and the specs/prices were such as well, at least for me. Now that I have it, I'm very satisfied myself. Mainly use it for 3D modelling, rendering and video editing. If course it manages games very well too.

The way I understand it, Schenker uses Clevo's notebooks' bases to build their own laptops (the XMG and Schenker series). Besides that, their website is MySN.de /.co.uk /.eu etc. Very confusing if you ask me...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Schenker XMG P504
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz, 4 Cores)
    Motherboard
    Notebook P15SM-A/SM1-A
    Memory
    1x Crucial 8192MB SO-DIMM DDR3 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M (6GB GDDR5) + Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio + NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic 15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SDD 60.02 GB (SV300S37A60G)

    WDC HDD 500.11 GB (WD5000LPVX-22V0TT0)
    PSU
    ('Not sure yet)
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound (fans lol)
    Internet Speed
    3.5 Mbps down/1 Mbps up
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    avast!
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