VIA HD Audio deck channels not giving proper sound?

[mark_157]

Here is a reference photo (although my audio deck tool is a bit different in terms of options)

http://www.av.it.pt/Medidas/Data/Manuais%20&%20Tutoriais/40a%20-%20Anechoic%20Chamber/Instala%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20Soft/PC%20CD/Manual/Audio/Vista/VIA_HD_AudioDeckc.pdf

I have searched and searched but it doesn't seem like anyone has had this problem. When I have the left and right channels set to the same amount the sound always comes out "muddy" and when listening to music I often cannot hear the vocals. If I set one channel to 0 and leave the other, I hear the vocals but I lose the ability to hear certain instruments, and then if I set the other channel to 0 and raise the other one, I hear the missing instruments but lose the ability to hear others.

To clarify, I hear sound on both sides of my headphones, its just that when the channels are balanced the sound is all garbled and "underwater." When I raise only 1 channel, it gets clear again but I lose the ability to hear certain sounds.

If anyone could help me out here I would be super grateful. I'm not sure what kind of information to provide so please ask if needed!

 

[americanaudiophile]

In a stereo signal the left and right channels will not be identical so losing some instruments when you only have one channel playing is normal.
Assuming that you have checked the headphones on another source and they are fine make sure that your audio control panel is set for 2.0 (no center, sub or surround channels). Then try turning off any environmental or room correction effects.

 

[mark_157]

In a stereo signal the left and right channels will not be identical so losing some instruments when you only have one channel playing is normal.
Assuming that you have checked the headphones on another source and they are fine make sure that your audio control panel is set for 2.0 (no center, sub or surround channels). Then try turning off any environmental or room correction effects.

EDIT: So I just discovered that it works fine if I plug it into the back audio panel, but not the front. Why would that be the case?

I've tried a few pairs of headphones/earbuds so thats unlikely to be the problem. My settings are as you suggested but the problem still persists. I've attached some screenshots of all the possible settings in the interface.

http://imgur.com/a/7LESw

 

[mark_157]

Okay, so I learned that I'm using integrated sound as in, my front panel cable connects onto my motherboard. I opened up my case, unplugged the front panel cable from the motherboard and cleared the dust. Bam, the sound from the front panel now works perfectly!

I can't believe I went 3 years without trying to clean out dust. Music never sounded so good!