Windows 7 - Monsoon speakers don't work with new Pavilion p6710f

Use Monsoon speakers that came with Micron pc years ago. Still use on Dell laptop (XP)-unbelievable sound.

Got a new Pavilion Windows 7 w/Integrated ALC888S-VD audio - music sounds tinny - like an old plastic portable radio; speech is so muffled Netflix, etc. that I can't understand unless I use a headset.

Is it the computer/Windows 7/sound card that's incompatible? If must get new speakers, please recommend what would have best full range sound with this sound card (which I cannot afford to replace)? Enjoy all music, incl lots of classical. Not a gamer

Many thanks.

Make sure you have the latest driver with full audio software package from the HP webpage for your model. Play with the settings in the software to see if you can enhance the sound.

In some rare cases with onboard sound chips the actual manufacturer may have better driver or software on their own website.

If not then you may have to add a sound card or take it back for another model with better sound.

Micron PC? although they may be around, I haven't heard of those for many years. Is the speaker system a "powered" speaker system (one with it's own built in power amplifier)?

Thanks for the info...

Sound is integrated in the AMD II Quad 640 chip. I checked the AMD site - there's a driver for the integrated graphics but not for integrated audio. Any ideas?

Maybe the speakers are too old to work with 64bit. Problem is, they are sensational, albeit 1999 vintage, but so much better than what's out today, unless willing to spend a fortune. Just read an old review raving about the quality - I think Monsoon makes (or made) high end speakers and these were a one-off audiophile surprise for $100.

Don't want to void the warranty after owning the pc for 4 days...Sigh. Plus, the pc is a quad core w/4gb and 1T hard drive - quite the bargain for $400, so I'm not prepared to return it.

If you can suggest a "Plan B" budget set of 2.1s, with good mids and highs, it would be appreciated.

If no sound drivers are present there or on AMD site, it's likely a component of the full chipset.

What about your old sound package was able to drive the speaker better than the new sound? Was there a sound component added then by the speakers themselves? Are they self powered or relying on USB power, then and now?

Thanks gregrocker -- Will give it a try.

Fireberd, if you read this, my bad, I thought I could post replies to you and gregrocker separately - (quite embarrassing).

Yep, they do have their own power supply. And do I ever miss Micron - I had two of them. I don't think they ever took off because they were only available direct from mfr and in those days, most people were afraid to buy pcs online, in case something went wrong.

Someone gave me their old Dell laptop years ago after my Micron crashed and I have no idea what's inside.

Maybe it's Windows 7 which, so far, I don't like as much as XP.

The bass unit is plugged into the surge bar and the set connects thru a jack - no usb.

Doing a google search the ALC888 is actually RealTek integrated audio and not integrated with the AMD chipset drivers. You should have separate drivers for the RealTek. The RealTek, in most systems, also has a configuration panel for sound settings such as EQ, etc. Look around, possibily in the Control Panel, Hardware and Sound for a RealTek control panel.

And you can find links to the latest Realtek driver here,

Latest Realtek HD Audio Driver Version

and for a faster download (unless you like downloading at less than dial up speed),

Realtek HD Audio 2.60 audio driver download from Guru3D.com

You were partially right when you said this,

In addition to the above mentioned onboard audio there is also audio integrated into the onboard video, which is separate from the onboard audio. It is used for passing audio when connecting via HDMI, and is a different playback option over the onboard.

Just to confuse the issue a little more, this audio is also from Realtek. The driver for this does come from AMD (the reference Realtek driver will also work) but not as a separate download, it is included in the video card driver package.

I have the same HP Pavilion (p6813w) and in my case the sound was non-existent when I plugged in the speakers even though all the signs of it were okay (the speaker icon etc). I think I found out why though. If you check the sound specs of the computer Realtek

some of the sound ports are mono and digital, but there is a stereo port. If you are trying to use a stereo plug, as I am, I suspect that is the reason. Plug your stereo plug into the light green port, top row middle port, and you should get sound. There is also a headphone jack on the front but that would be cumbersome, but might work as a test of your system if you need it.

why all the ports? to give you a multi-channel sound experience--they even have a subwoofer channel: bottom row, left side. It can be confusing at first.

good luck. even though it really isnt a matter of luck, except in poker.