Cosmos IX - Some concerns over audio

[InTheMood]

Hi everyone,

I have been the happy owner of a Cosmos IX since about two weeks. Works like a charm! Very happy with it all.

There has been something that keeps on bugging me though: the sound. I am not exactly expecting a lot from tiny speakers in a case, but the poor quality and output makes me question if that's just poor hardware or something else is going on. For info, I am a sound engineer and so have run quite a lot of tests on it, discovering early on that the speakers won't reproduce anything below 200Hz which makes for a very bright sounding system with no bass whatsoever. Anyone has had similar experiences?

Now, the laptop came with SoundBlaster Cinema 6. I installed Windows 10 as soon as I got the laptop and, thinking I was doing the right thing, I installed every driver provided by PCS with the CD. Soundblaster was installed (app included), and failed to recognizes the laptop's speaker and so was unusable. I decided to uninstall it (right click, uninstall app) and uninstalled all audio drivers (including realtek ones) and tried the whole process again, just in case something went wrong.

Upon reinstalling SoundBlaster Cinema, the install goes ahead successfully but won't install the app anymore. I tried several times. I even deleted the app folder in my program files and after attempting the install again, a folder is created for it but is left empty. I have contacted PCS which gave me a different installer, same issue. Next conversation I had with them, no-one was able to help me getting that app back into the system or telling me if something was wrong with my hardware.

I decided to let it go anduse mostly my headphones and my own set of speakers instead of the built-in ones because it is just impossible to listen to. Each and every one of my device does sound full which makes me feel like drivers are probably ok.

Tonight though, upon watching a movie I realized the headphone output loudness is quite poor. I wanted to check some stuffs in the audio enhancements tab in the sound settings, but that tab isn't there! This instantly makes me feel like there might be something wrong with my audio setup as the tab should be there. It's as though Soundblaster cinema 6 is installed and has overidden the default enhancement tab offered by Windows 10, whilst impossible to take control of because the actual app wasn't installed.

What is going on?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi everyone,

I have been the happy owner of a Cosmos IX since about two weeks. Works like a charm! Very happy with it all.

There has been something that keeps on bugging me though: the sound. I am not exactly expecting a lot from tiny speakers in a case, but the poor quality and output makes me question if that's just poor hardware or something else is going on. For info, I am a sound engineer and so have run quite a lot of tests on it, discovering early on that the speakers won't reproduce anything below 200Hz which makes for a very bright sounding system with no bass whatsoever. Anyone has had similar experiences?

Now, the laptop came with SoundBlaster Cinema 6. I installed Windows 10 as soon as I got the laptop and, thinking I was doing the right thing, I installed every driver provided by PCS with the CD. Soundblaster was installed (app included), and failed to recognizes the laptop's speaker and so was unusable. I decided to uninstall it (right click, uninstall app) and uninstalled all audio drivers (including realtek ones) and tried the whole process again, just in case something went wrong.

Upon reinstalling SoundBlaster Cinema, the install goes ahead successfully but won't install the app anymore. I tried several times. I even deleted the app folder in my program files and after attempting the install again, a folder is created for it but is left empty. I have contacted PCS which gave me a different installer, same issue. Next conversation I had with them, no-one was able to help me getting that app back into the system or telling me if something was wrong with my hardware.

I decided to let it go anduse mostly my headphones and my own set of speakers instead of the built-in ones because it is just impossible to listen to. Each and every one of my device does sound full which makes me feel like drivers are probably ok.

Tonight though, upon watching a movie I realized the headphone output loudness is quite poor. I wanted to check some stuffs in the audio enhancements tab in the sound settings, but that tab isn't there! This instantly makes me feel like there might be something wrong with my audio setup as the tab should be there. It's as though Soundblaster cinema 6 is installed and has overidden the default enhancement tab offered by Windows 10, whilst impossible to take control of because the actual app wasn't installed.

What is going on?

This has come up before, I do believe soundblaster makes a big improvement and is basically required, but you’re not the only one who’s had difficulties installing it.

There was a user who found out how to get it installed and he posted the solution, give me a while and I’ll hunt it down.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Found it, this is kudos to @NorthDakota for the solution, hopefully it works for you, keep us posted:

Sound Blaster 6:
I became aware that when downloading Sound Blaster 6 Cinema from the drivers package on PCS itself that the software did not install or no boot/application/executable within the folder.
I decided to check out the driver disk in case anything was missing on the PCS folder. Turns out there is a section on the disk for 'preinstalled hardware'. When I found this I clicked through it and I found Sound Blaster 6 Cinema. Copied over the file on to a USB and read the 'readme' which advised how to install it. I then put the USB into the Nova and followed the instructions as stated on the readme. Then after a restart it loaded up and have had no issues since.

NOTE: The Nova does not contain a disk drive so you'll need another laptop/computer to do this otherwise you may have to ask PCS to upload it but I don't know how feasible this is.

 

[InTheMood]

Thank you for that! I did manage to install the app again.

Not much improvement in terms of sound, still sounding tinny with zero low-mids or bass (my phone sounds better).

Is that just what to expect from Clevo built-in speakers or?..

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thank you for that! I did manage to install the app again.

Not much improvement in terms of sound, still sounding tinny with zero low-mids or bass (my phone sounds better).

Is that just what to expect from Clevo built-in speakers or?..

It may well be I'm afraid, they're not very good speakers on my clevo although mine's from 2014. Best get someone else whose got a more modern one to confirm.

 

[InTheMood]

Definitely would love to hear what other owners think. Not that I expect them to sound astounding, but tinny in 2020 is odd. I just can't believe it! haha.

 

[InTheMood]

Some updates on that little situation!

I realized that SoundBlaster Cinema did indeed improve the overall sound of the laptop by A LOT. Doesn't sound tinny at all anymore and much closer to how it should perform. I guess I needed a few restarts for everything to setup nicely. So, for everyone having similar issues with Clevo speakers and not able to get through the SoundBlaster app, definitely try the above method.

Sadly though, I can now confirm the left speaker of my laptop distorts above 50% volume. I am currently waiting to reach PCS to see if I can open the case and take a look for myself without damaging anything. It's very noticeable.
If I solve the situation, I'll happily report here to help people who in the future may have a similar issue.

 

[InTheMood]

Some more updates!

Upon opening the chassis as per advised by PCS, I can't find any visible fault on the drivers themselves or any loose connection.
What I did notice is that on the chassis, above the left speaker, there is a foam which seems to be here for to manage vibrations. On the right side, which is the speaker which doesn't distort, this foam isn't present. It's very odd that the distortion happens on the side where the foam is, don't you think?

I read online I could try padding both speaker with some sticky windows seal. Any opinions about it?

 

[InTheMood]

I'm not an audio expert by any stretch of the imagination but that sounds to me like the foam that is there to prevent vibrations is actually affecting the speaker no? Especially if the one without foam is fine? Is the foam touching the speaker at all?Is there any way to remove the foam temporarily to check or is it pretty solidly attached?

That's what I thought too, maybe that piece of foam shouldn't be there. It's glued to the chassis but I can take it off. If I do need to put it back, can I use super glue safely in a laptop chassis knowing there is quite a bit of heat during games?
As for touching the speaker, it seems like there's vaguely contact but definitely not on the whole surface.

Usually though, foam wouldn't create physical distortion because it obviously shouldn't be able to make any noise when moving because of the sound. What seems to be more likely is that both speakers are held by 2 opposite pins top left and bottom right, and so they're easily moved with my fingers, which means that if the drivers are moving too much (typically when the volume is higher), it might touch the chassis and vibrate on it. Hence I'm thinking about the window seal. But once again, is it safe to put in a laptop chassis considering the heat?

Any opinions is appreciated

 

[SpyderTracks]

That's what I thought too, maybe that piece of foam shouldn't be there. It's glued to the chassis but I can take it off. If I do need to put it back, can I use super glue safely in a laptop chassis knowing there is quite a bit of heat during games?
As for touching the speaker, it seems like there's vaguely contact but definitely not on the whole surface.

Usually though, foam wouldn't create physical distortion because it obviously shouldn't be able to make any noise when moving because of the sound. What seems to be more likely is that both speakers are held by 2 opposite pins top left and bottom right, and so they're easily moved with my fingers, which means that if the drivers are moving too much (typically when the volume is higher), it might touch the chassis and vibrate on it. Hence I'm thinking about the window seal. But once again, is it safe to put in a laptop chassis considering the heat?

Any opinions is appreciated

Can you take a photo and upload it?

 

[InTheMood]

https://imgur.com/a/VS7QO1B

Sure, here it is!

 

[AlanLam940]

https://imgur.com/a/VS7QO1B

Sure, here it is!

Did you get your left speaker sorted out?

 

[InTheMood]

You have a similar issue?

I wouldn't say it has completely resolved, but it has greatly improved and is now ok to listen to. It was a combination of making sure the drivers were installed correctly, especially the Clevo EQ, and what I think might be related to use. It's not uncommon for speakers to need a period of time for the drivers to adjust and reach their true sound.

There is definitely something a little weird about the foam in the chassis though, but I am not sure if the fault is on every chassis equally. The foam should make contact with the speaker if it is intended to to reduce the vibrations on the chassis.

Good luck!

 

[AlanLam940]

You have a similar issue?

I wouldn't say it has completely resolved, but it has greatly improved and is now ok to listen to. It was a combination of making sure the drivers were installed correctly, especially the Clevo EQ, and what I think might be related to use. It's not uncommon for speakers to need a period of time for the drivers to adjust and reach their true sound.

There is definitely something a little weird about the foam in the chassis though, but I am not sure if the fault is on every chassis equally. The foam should make contact with the speaker if it is intended to to reduce the vibrations on the chassis.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply

I don't have the issue but I am thinking of buying a laptop and I'm checking out any sound problems.

So you installed Clevo EQ as well as Cinema 6 and waited a while for the speakers to settle down to get rid of the 50% distortion?

 

[InTheMood]

Correct. The initial drivers I was given were not exactly delivered properly, but that may have to do with my decision to order the PC without any OS pre-installed: I'm sure PC Specialist would have tested everything thoroughly if they could. The drivers on the CD are fine but I had to look a bit more for Cinema 6 and Clevo EQ to work, as described above.

Be aware that it's still very much below many alternative laptop sound solution; it's not a great sounding one. The drivers are about 1 inch so I let you imagine the bass reproduction considering there is no bass driver and only two mids.

I must say though that I am quite happy with the inside works of Cinema 6. It's not very customizable but I find the enhancements to be very pleasurable and legit when on headphones and necessary when listening to the laptop itself.