2.1/2.0 Speaker Systems (READ ONLY ARCHIVE)

[jakub314159]

In both Windows 7 and XP, one of the speakers is always really quiet at low volumes. What I mean is that when the knob is turned low, one speaker is very quiet, but as I turn the volume up all of a sudden it equalizes with the other speaker. I've switched the speaker inputs, and whichever one is receiving the left speaker signal is the quiet one.

If I just turn the system volume down (instead of using the knob) this doesn't happen, which is an easy workaround, but I was just wondering if maybe there's a simple solution to the problem in the first place.

My video card is onboard Realtek.

[Mike_M]

Hi,

Because the volume control is non-linear, that is normal behavior.

[davidp158 · Accepted solution]

If you have proper balance between left and right speakers when the speaker system is turned up, and turning your computer's system audio level down maintains that balance at a lower volume, then clearly the volume knob on the speaker system is faulty, or the stereo amplifier has bad circuit design. As you have tested the left output with both speakers, its not an issue with the speakers or their placement.  

RE: Because the volume control is non-linear, that is normal behavior.

No offense intended, but I seriously doubt that this is a normal behavior for proper audio design.

[Svanur]

This is normal behavior, it happens on my speakers also and i have seen this on many speaker system that have non linear volume control so i think this guy from logitech knows what he is talking about. (by the way Excellent Speakers Z-2300). :-)

[Templar001]

I have the same problem. My right channel is always quiet at low volumes. This is a big inconvience to me and Im wondering if there is some sort of fix or should I send this back?

[Mike_M]

Hi,

Did you not read this thread?

[Templar001]

Yes I did, I just find it incredibly odd that is happens. I've owned about five sets of speakers and none have ever done anything like this and not actually been broken in some way.

I just find it very sketchy that "Thats the way it works".

If thats the case then who designed it that way.

[elChe]

Well of course it's non-linear. That is, it's logarithmic, or it ought to be.

But that doesn't explain the problem. Sounds to me like the actual volume control, i.e. the potentiometer itself (or the rotary encoder, or whatever it is), is pooched. 

Is it scratchy at all when this happens, i.e. when you turn it up, and the quiet speaker's level comes up abruptly, is there any scratchy sound? This is certainly evidence of a bad control.

Also, did you try plugging the speaker system into something else, like an MP3 player, as a check? That would certainly rule out your computer (which it doesn't sound like it is anyhow).

Assuming it's just a potentiometer (which of course it is), a little control cleaner spray sometimes does the trick, especially if you can get the control module open and actually spray it onto the offending control.

[1pPGQ71P]

Linear, non-linear, whatever you want to call it, a proper stereo circuit will keep both speakers balanced at any volume level. To say that its acceptable for one speaker to be louder than the other is absurd. Furthermore, I see that my post has been marked with an "accepted solution" icon. I'm not sure what this is supposed to mean, but it implies the answer given was acceptable to me. Its not acceptable to me, and I resent that someone may be mislead to think that.

I don't mean to step on any toes here, but my impression of this thread is that someone is trying to explain away bad design. Granted, this is not audiophile grade gear, but I believe the explanation given for the imbalanced sound levels to be deceptive.

BTW, I owned a set of Z-3 speakers, which worked fine except for a faulty multi-pin connector. Searching this forum and others, I find that this connection is highly prone to failure. I'm glad that Logitech revised the connections on the Z-4 version, as the Z-3's were constructed in such a way that replacing this multipin connector was not worth the trouble. The connector was covered in huge gobs of silicone (trying to ward off a known design problem???). Removing it and trying to unsolder the surface mount contacts would have likely destroyed the amplifier. Its a shame that an otherwise working speaker system went to the trash due to poor design. 

[elChe]

Totally. I didn't mean to say that non-linear means it shouldn't work right. I thought that was a totally bogus answer, and no kind of solution at all. And completely lame. Based on how often this subject has popped up about these speakers, Logitech must have really gotten something wrong.