New PowerBook's audio is not balanced. Anyone else?

[bigO_apple]

Yeah, I just noticed it too on a 1.5GHz PB G4

I just started listening to some of the snippets on the itunes store page. I noticed that the left speaker was always louder. I then played with the balance 'knob' in the sound control panel. If I set it completely to the left, no sound would emanate from the right at all. BUT if is set it completely to the right, there would still be significant sound emanating from the left.

VERY VERY Bad design!!!!

I am really disappointed. I also tried it with a regular audio CD - exact same problem, so it isn't because of the itunes store. It would seem that it is a problem with the power to the speakers rather than a placement of the speakers since the symptoms are as I described above.

I wonder if the same thing occurs if you use headphones?

By the way, does anybody know the author and the name of the song that Apple Powerbook G4 Tech Support uses for the background music when they put you on hold. It is a very distinctive instrumental score (almost but not quite techno). I know I've heard it elsewhere, but neither I nor Tech Support can figure it out.

Any ideas?

 

[Vanilla]

I am really disappointed. I also tried it with a regular audio CD - exact same problem, so it isn't because of the itunes store. It would seem that it is a problem with the power to the speakers rather than a placement of the speakers since the symptoms are as I described above.

I wonder if the same thing occurs if you use headphones?

Well, I share your disappointment, if not your conclusion.

If you move the balance fully to the right while listening carefully to the left speaker grille you will notice a distinct change in timbre of the sound emanating from there. As far as I can tell the left speaker does indeed cut out but what you are hearing is the midrange speaker sound also coming out of the left speaker grille due to its left-biased positioning.

If this is the case for you also then I suggest the speakers are working fine but having two on the left-hand side and one on the right-hand side makes creating a balanced stereo image somewhat of a challenge, that Apple has so far diligently maintained a silence on.

If you use headphones you will hear perfect balance, as is the case if you plug in a set of external speakers. The problem is that - in particular to the latter solution - this rather detracts from the portability aspect of owning a notebook.

I do NOT believe that this is sufficient to destroy your enjoyment of what is an amazing machine and I concur with the reasoning put forward by matticus008, but I would ask that you send feedback to Apple, let your friends know, comment to your local store etc. the more this issue is raised the better chance of a long term solution.

Finally, as for the music I have no idea, sorry, I'm still listening to Pink Floyd and Hendrix.....

cheers
Vanilla

 

[Vanilla]

So just to update this saga:

1. I got a letter I sent to the editor of MacUser UK highlighting this issue published, which is a start.

2. If you recall I returned the offending item and re-ordered a BTO 15". Well that finally arrived today and I collected it from my dealer. However upon opening the packaging I found a distinct dent in the top right hand upper section so I stopped there, havent even opened the laptop. The front of the main box has a dent in it and the bottom polysterine section is cracked, which I guess indicates this particular box has a somewhat turbulant history. I've called the dealer and he is as exasperated as I am and has promised to sort something out for me, but has said getting BTO's is incredibly difficult right now.

So the saga continues........

Vanilla