I have GOT to get more volume . . .

[Wayne]

ThinkPad R-40 with the SoundMax Integrated Audio. Even with the volume button all the way and the Volume slider all the way up, it's just loud enough to hear. And when I use ear buds I can hear (in a streaming video) the background music but voices are unintelligible. Opening Volume properties, both the volume control and WAV are all the way up. Even if I used powered speakers I'll probably get the same response as the ear buds.



Any suggestions, please?



Thanks

[proaudioguy]

ThinkPad R-40 with the SoundMax Integrated Audio. Even with the volume button all the way and the Volume slider all the way up, it's just loud enough to hear. And when I use ear buds I can hear (in a streaming video) the background music but voices are unintelligible. Opening Volume properties, both the volume control and WAV are all the way up. Even if I used powered speakers I'll probably get the same response as the ear buds.



Any suggestions, please?



Thanks

The problem you describe is a lack of intelligibility. It's a defect in the original recording, UNLESS, this is happening in ALL source material. In that case would ask if you are listening to stereo music. If certain defects in wiring are present anything common to left and right will cancel out leaving only what is not common. This can happen in ear buds when the common ground connection is broken from the sleeve of the TRS plug (Tip, Ring, Sleeve).
The Thinkpads are not known for fantastic sound from the internal speakers, but the sound cards are for the most part decent.