G751 Imbalanced Sound Problem OFFICIAL SUPPORT THREAD (thread closed)

[BRSxIgnition]

I've created this thread to condense the information we've gathered on this issue over the course of the old thread, which can be found here.

Current Fix Status:
Fix Here: https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?57462-G751-Imbalanced-Sound-Problem-FIX-IS-OUT!

Current Probable Issue Diagnosis:
Regular Signal instead of LFE (Low Frequency Effects) Signal to Subwoofer

Description (In different states):

Installed Drivers (Main Issue):

All speakers "working", but WITH massive imbalance issue.Sub greatly overshadows L/R Speakers & also distorts at volumes above 35%. Can hear sound very faintly coming from L/R speakers with ear pressed up against them.

Uninstalled Drivers (Temporary Fix):

Subwoofer (Only) is default playback device, with L/R Speakers being listed as a separate playback device. Left and Right Speakers working at full volume when selected as default playback device, with no sound
coming from subwoofer. Subwoofer can play audio when selected as default device, but distorts at volume levels above 35%, and does not work in conjunction with rear speakers in this configuration. (Either/Or Situation)

Reinstalled Drivers (Main Issue, Again):

Same effect as "Installed Drivers" every time. (All speakers "working", but WITH the imbalance issue. Sub greatly outpowers L/R Speakers & also distorts at volumes above 35%. Can hear sound very faintly coming from L/R speakers with ear pressed up against them.)

**NEW** Subwoofer Disabled (New Finding/Confirmation):

L/R Speakers can be heard perfectly fine when Subwoofer is disabled using the "Vbcmd_mute_int_woofer" Mute.exe file provided by MarshallR@ASUS on the ROG Forums. Cannot comment on volume level, but volume seems to scale fine without the subwoofer to overshadow it. This confirms the situation is a software issue, and all speakers are physically fine.

This issue is known to arise both brand new "out of box" units as well as on units where the OS has been cloned or reinstalled on a new drive and the ASUS Support Site drivers have been used. All G751 Models can have this issue.

Temporary Fixes:
As mentioned in the description, the speakers still work fine, proving that the issue is Software, not Hardware-related.

To get your Left & Right back speakers working correctly, follow the temporary fix guides below.

**NEW** TEMPORARY FIX - DISABLE SUBWOOFER:

• Download and extract this RAR file.
  
• Make sure you have the ASUS G751 Realtek Drivers installed. You can find them here.
  
• Unzip Vbcmd_mute_int_woofer tool, and run Mute.exe.
  
• If it returns a "Success!" message, your subwoofer should now be disabled.
  
• If you ever need to enable your subwoofer again (when a fix is issued), simply unzip Vbcmd_unmute_int_woofer and run Unmute.exe.
  
• Viola.
  

Enjoy your tinny-back speakers with no sub until we get a fix from ASUS. Until then, keep checking in here for updates, and let us know if you find anything!

Edit by cl-Albert 2/5/15: Very late thanks for looking into this and apologies for the delay, BRSxIgnition.
The new *.7432 G751 audio driver has finally been released, so this thread has been closed (to avoid 2 competing threads) and a new thread started.
If anybody is interested, please post your testing results or comments about this new audio driver at the post below. Thanks!

G751 Imbalanced Sound Problem FIX IS OUT!
https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?57462-G751-Imbalanced-Sound-Problem-FIX-IS-OUT!

[Sanctrum]

Sanctrum wrote:
It all makes sense.
I have other gaming laptop from MSI that has subwoofer.
At MSI case, the design with subwoofer is simple.
Subwoofer ALWAYS combines the sound ONLY from L/R channels and at any circumstances.
So when it is 2.1, it combines channels L and R. But when it is 5.1 it STILL combines sound ONLY from L/R. So laptop’s sub is NOT the separate channel x.1 !
And it is still OK if you understand how it works… and only if you can swith-off the sub!
At MSI case you can always switch-off laptop’s sub BUT NOT using Realtec HD Audio interface… It is possible ONLY with the DEDICATED physical button located at the laptop’s case! So MSI avoided the problem/design flaw… by adding this button. Also MSI sub is located to the left side, so once it plays the music the sound balance is shifted to the left.

NOT sure it is possible to have this button equivalent available as software… I do not have G751, just planning to buy.

cablebandit wrote:
lets stop with the "2.1" terminology unless we are sure that the built in subwoofer is being supplied with a discrete .1 signal which i very much doubt. Presumably, we have a 2.0 stereo system where the bass from both channels is passed off to the mono sub. At a certain frequency (80hz?) , bass becomes non directional so this shouldnt be a problem for both front stereo speakers to share a single subwoofer for output of their bass notes.

My findings are the same as Azmodan's...turn off Maxx Audio and the sound becomes pretty decent

As I have written 10 days ago... Now it looks to me that Maxx Audio app is acting like Sub on/off switch? So the software eqivalent of MSI physical button? Can someone confirm?

[ARX7Arbalest]

Maybe they can do a BIOS fix and remap the Steam/Shadowplay Button to disable Sub.

[viper3000]

I have installed VER.6.0.1.7231 and I think it is the better as ver. 7335...

[pit_ns]

I wanted to buy g751 but I decided to wait for G750JY. When it is out I will decide what I want to do. In my opinion it should look better without all those red colors and hopefully won't have all those issues. I just hope it will have IPS panel and geforce 970m 🙂

[BRSxIgnition]

pit_ns wrote:
I wanted to buy g751 but I decided to wait for G750JY. When it is out I will decide what I want to do. In my opinion it should look better without all those red colors and hopefully won't have all those issues. I just hope it will have IPS panel and geforce 970m 🙂

If this is true and it's as affordable as the G751 I may be tempted.

Though I wont have any extended warranty, so it'll be pointless to try buying before I KNOW that Asus has solved all their issues with it.

[thamann2000]

Brs what are the odds this fixed by Christmas? What's your gut feeling? I think me and you are the two longest running ones on this issue.

[Richdog]

`

pit_ns wrote:
I wanted to buy g751 but I decided to wait for G750JY. When it is out I will decide what I want to do. In my opinion it should look better without all those red colors and hopefully won't have all those issues. I just hope it will have IPS panel and geforce 970m 🙂

WTF... why would they bring out a new model of an old design? I much prefer all black, but no idea why they have done this... are they trying to rub mud in the G751 owners faces?

[favian_firdaus]

Hmm I am not sure if my laptop have this subwoofer problem or not but I can only hear sound from bottom left corner. It feels like I am hearing from portable Bluetooth speaker in 1900 dollar laptop.... Is it supposed to work like that?

[Paco]

favian.firdaus wrote:
Hmm I am not sure if my laptop have this subwoofer problem or not but I can only hear sound from bottom left corner. It feels like I am hearing from portable Bluetooth speaker in 1900 dollar laptop.... Is it supposed to work like that?

Don't worry I had the same problem out of the box after purchasing my G751JM today. Follow the temp fix at the start of this thread and wait for the update. I was really worried too that some idiot had designed a great laptop with both speakers on the left - what a relief it was to find this thread.
:eek:

[ARX7Arbalest]

Usually Asus fixes this in 1 or 2 months once a rep has been notified.