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
    2013-11-12T00:37:18+00:00

    Hey guys, just bought a surface 2 and Im having the same problem here, but I hear crackling noises with every app when the sound is at loud! This is very ennoying for me as I like hearing music on the tablet speakers... also i've noticed a lose volume rocker... If I knew all this issues I woudn't have bought this tablet today! Do you guys have any new information about this issue?

    And a special message to Microsoft, you shouls really start to care more about your customers, Because without them you are nothing, ans I don't think you understood this really well. Companies are known and trusted because of their help support and after their reactivity to problems like this. I advice you to resolve this issue fast before all your consumers go away!

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-11T23:58:13+00:00

    If it's worth mentioning i've had Surface 2 since day one and only noticed the sound issue recently as it was fine a few days ago. I don't think is hardware related as it was ok before. Pardon the pun but 'sounds' like a driver issue to me.

    I've had mine since launch and immediately noticed the tinny, bass-less sound compared to the original RT, so I don't think that's a recent driver update.  Once I found this thread and disabled the "audio enhancements" the sound quality was restored but at reduced volume, and the volume drops within the first half-second of audio playback using the built-in Music and Video apps, and MediaMonkey.  I don't notice the volume dropping with Flash content, however.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-11T21:36:15+00:00

    Crackling happens even on system sounds... in the external speakers properties where you can "test" the speakers, even THAT is making crackling sounds.

    Anyways, I don't think we should have to jump through hoops to listen to any sound. Although your solution of using plex (whatever that is :) ) could be a temporary solution until the drivers are fixed

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-11T21:07:32+00:00

    The crackling is NOT restricted to streaming content. I got a TV show video that I recorded on my PC and copied it to my Surcace 2. It's in TS Format, HD. The picture is brilliant, the crackling is horrible at any loudness setting.

    Try using Plex server on your PC to watch your recordings on your Surface 2 using the Metro IE..works great for me.

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-11-11T18:16:41+00:00

    The crackling is NOT restricted to streaming content. I got a TV show video that I recorded on my PC and copied it to my Surcace 2. It's in TS Format, HD. The picture is brilliant, the crackling is horrible at any loudness setting.

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