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
    2013-10-25T14:37:25+00:00

    Now you have a good sound with bass ? As good as the RT ?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-25T14:54:23+00:00

    An update:

    I don't notice any crackling/audio pops when I'm using just the hardware speakers (or maybe I haven't noticed it yet).  It's just when I'm using headphones or computer speakers. 

    If this is really a hardware issue then I'm sending my unit into Microsoft for repairs.  I've already returned my first Surface 2 back to Best Buy because one of the seems was bent.  If the replacement has hardware problems too then I can only assume it's a problem with the entire batch.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-25T15:12:41+00:00

    Yeah, I can confirm this happens on Xbox music for me too.  Youtube and the Netflix app are just fine.  It seems to be a definite software issue since it only occurs with certain apps/websites.  If it was hardware related, I would think it would happen just about every where.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-25T15:37:45+00:00

    Yes, I agree.  What I am experiencing is not a hardware issue.  Here is a summary of what I am seeing:

    1. The overall sound loudness from the speakers on my Surface 2 is significantly lower that the of my Surface RT.
    2. The sound characteristics of the Surface 2 speakers are quite a bit different from the Surface RT.  They lack bass and sound a bit more processed to simulate surround sound.  But this simulation comes at the expense of fullness IMO.
    3. The sound through headphones is very loud and full.  Headphones sound incredible.  I keep my volume with headphones at around 14.  Any higher and it would be uncomfortable. (For comparison, my speaker volume is usually kept at around 50.)
    4. I am experience terrible crackling and popping sounds through both the speakers and headphones when streaming from Amazon Instant Video using both the metro and desktop versions of IE11.  This is the only time that I hear crackling from the sound.  No other application that I have tested so far is causing this behavior (I've tested YouTube from the website, YouTube from an app, Xbox music, Xbox video, Netflix, and many games - all sound great).

    Based on my experience, I come to the conclusion that this is a driver issue, not a hardware issue.  The overall loudness and fullness of the speakers can probably be modified via a firmware update.  And the crackling issues from Amazon Instant Video streaming can probably be addressed via a software update to the IE11 flash player.

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-10-25T15:59:07+00:00

    Totally agree with CharlesCoates.  I also just tried playing Amazon Instant Video through some Bluetooth speakers.  The same audio stutter and crackling happened with them as well.  I'm even more convinced this is a software issue.

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