Problem with Audio on iMac still unsolved

Turtleboy

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I'm running Windows 7 using Boot Camp on my iMac 24. Everything is fine except the audio through the speakers, which is absolutely horrible. At first, there was no audio at all, but I installed the drivers on the OS X disc. The audio then worked but the quality was just terrible. Switching back and forth between OS X and Windows, playing the same songs at the same volume levels in iTunes, the difference is substantial. It's unlistenable on Windows 7.

I downloaded the most recent driver from Realtek and that didn't solve the problem.

However when I plug headphones in the back and listen through the headphones, it sounds fine. It's only through the speakers that it sucks.

Any suggestions?
 

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I have the same problem, it was so tin-e that even with the environmental setting enabled (Poweful) I think it was the sound was still not near as good. Im not sure what to do but until than I can not use it on the iMac..

Its like going from AM to FM
 

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Windows 7 7264AMD Phenon X4955 Black Edition 3.2 Quad Core8GB CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM D...SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI...
OS
Windows 7 7264
CPU
AMD Phenon X4955 Black Edition 3.2 Quad Core
Motherboard
ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
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8GB CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Graphics Card(s)
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Exp 2.0 16x
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Onboard Asus
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Hanns G 28" Widscreen Baby!
Screen Resolution
1900x1200
Hard Drives
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb

Western Digital 320gb 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
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I have the same problem, it was so tin-e that even with the environmental setting enabled (Poweful) I think it was the sound was still not near as good. Im not sure what to do but until than I can not use it on the iMac..

Its like going from AM to FM

I think you mean like it's going from HD audio to AM. :)

Anyways, I still haven't solved the problem, but I came up with a "solution." I plugged external speakers into my iMac and those work fine. It's not ideal, but it's good enough for now.

But it's weird. External speakers sound great with the driver, but the Mac's internal speakers don't.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
any luck on this with the final release of windows 7 technet or msdn?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 7264AMD Phenon X4955 Black Edition 3.2 Quad Core8GB CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM D...SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI...
OS
Windows 7 7264
CPU
AMD Phenon X4955 Black Edition 3.2 Quad Core
Motherboard
ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
Memory
8GB CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Graphics Card(s)
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Exp 2.0 16x
Sound Card
Onboard Asus
Monitor(s) Displays
Hanns G 28" Widscreen Baby!
Screen Resolution
1900x1200
Hard Drives
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb

Western Digital 320gb 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V
Case
Custom Made ATX
Cooling
Air
Keyboard
Microsoft Wired for gaming
Mouse
Wired for gaming 2200
Internet Speed
Comcast 24GB
Hello,

I think the problem happens because OSX corrects the frequency response, while Windows drivers don't have any processing.

I measured 24" iMac response and created DSP code for Windows7 to apply the correction, and the software is available at the link below. The solution doesn't work on Windows XP or Vista however.

http://yohng.com/software/imacsoundfix.html

I also noted, that the microphone is switched on by default, which creates unnecessary feedback in the sound.

Please check the web page for the instruction on how to switch the microphone feedback off.

The measurements were taken from my 24 inch iMac, so it's hard to say for sure, how this algorithm will perform on a computer, which acoustically is different from 24 inch aluminium iMac.

Thanks,
George.
 
Last edited:

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Windows 7
Awesome!

That did the trick - thanks! I think Apple needs to get ahold of this fix and incorporate it in their drivers.
 

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Windows 7
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Windows 7
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