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
    2013-11-06T14:30:47+00:00

    I was about to exchange it tonight.  Are you guys suggesting that I should NOT exchange it ?  I wouldn't want to get stuck with one that has the extra play room on the volume rocker.  mine is just fine in that regards.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-06T14:19:42+00:00

    I think most of us are in agreement that it's a software issue.  Hopefully Microsoft recognizes this issue and responds with a firmware update.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-06T14:10:31+00:00

    Based on what I've read here I suspect it's software. The Surface RT had very low speaker volume when it first came out. I thought it was just weak hardware and that there was nothing that could be done. Much to my surprise a firmware update significantly improved the speaker output volume. I think, and hope, something similar can be done for Surface 2.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-06T13:56:56+00:00

    Guys and Gals

    What is everyones consensus on this issue? Is it a software/hardware issue or a combination of the two?

    Microsoft - any chance you can jump in here to give some reassurance? Otherwise, no acknowledgement can have an adverse impact on whether I keep or return the product.

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-11-06T06:12:44+00:00

    I've finally gave up, and went to the store with my unit to exchange it. I opened a new one, and it has horrible excess play in volume rocker, like a lot of people... So, I've return it definetly and got my money back.

    I will buy it again in the future, when another batch with better hardware assembly reach the stores, and hopefully all the firmware problems are solved...

    See you soon Surface! :(

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