Surface 2 Speaker/Sound Problems

Anonymous
2013-10-23T17:22:07+00:00

I just purchased two new Surface 2's and I am noticing a significant reduction in volume from the speakers compared to my old Surface RT.  The speakers also lack any kind of bass.  They are very "tinny" and shallow sounding.  When using headphones, there is plenty of bass sound and the volume level is not an issue.

I am also experienceing a significant amount of sound crackling (from the speakers and attached headphones) when streaming video from Amazon Instant Video using both the desktop and metro versions of IE.  I do not experience this crackling problem with other sound sources like Xbox music, gaming, or other website streaming video (i.e. YouTube).

Since I was experiencing this on two different Surface 2's, it seems unlikely that this is a hardware issue.  This is most likely a software/driver issue.  Is there anything that I can do to resolve this problem, other than wait for a possible software or firmware update?

Thanks.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-12T22:08:04+00:00

    As someone pointed out earlier there are several separate sound issues. For me, two of them were fixed with todays update.

    • No sound when disconnecting earphones.
    • Crackling sound when streaming flash hd video.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-12T21:51:47+00:00

    Well, a massive bunch of Patch Tuesday updates, but nothing to fix the terrible sound.

    I'm very close to just getting my money back. My expensive tablet is pretty much useless for anything requiring audio.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-12T21:36:54+00:00

    Same here, just did the update and no change in my internal speakers.  I did a full power off/power on with no noticeable effect either.

    My left speaker is still 30% the volume of the right.  The right isn't all that loud already.  Both separately and together they are tinny and distorted and sound like a blown speaker.  Just like before...

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-12T20:47:20+00:00

    Anyone notice todays update included adjustments to the sound for the Surface 2?

    Updates installed.  No performance improvement detected. 

    I updated my Surface RT as well so they both have the latest updates from MS.  I played both the Surface 2 and the RT at the same time, about 10 feet apart, and the difference is crazy.  The RT is MUCH louder with a fuller and deeper sound. 

    I'm listening to a radio station on the TuneIn app with both unit's volume set at 24.  The Surface 2 is barely audible sitting right next to me while the RT is loud & clear coming from 10 feet away to my right.  Even when I turn up the volume on the Surface 2 the sound coming from it is so tinny and devoid of base as to make it hard to listen to.

    This is clearly NOT the update that solves the issue.  At least not for me. 

    Same here! Just installed it and was excited... then I played a song and.....

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-11-12T19:31:05+00:00

    Anyone notice todays update included adjustments to the sound for the Surface 2?

    Updates installed.  No performance improvement detected. 

    I updated my Surface RT as well so they both have the latest updates from MS.  I played both the Surface 2 and the RT at the same time, about 10 feet apart, and the difference is crazy.  The RT is MUCH louder with a fuller and deeper sound. 

    I'm listening to a radio station on the TuneIn app with both unit's volume set at 24.  The Surface 2 is barely audible sitting right next to me while the RT is loud & clear coming from 10 feet away to my right.  Even when I turn up the volume on the Surface 2 the sound coming from it is so tinny and devoid of base as to make it hard to listen to.

    This is clearly NOT the update that solves the issue.  At least not for me.

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