Surround in Windows 7 with Soundmax

Question

I have a asus m2n motherboard with a Soundmax 1988 chip on it. I want to have surround sound in windows 7, but i cant get it to work.

I tried a lot of different drivers, including the latest beta for Win 7. The problem is that when I configure the speakers and i do a "Test" all speakers work. But whenever I want to play some video or mp3, only the front speakers work.

In vista there was this option called "Surround Fill" that would fix this problem, however, I cant seem to find that in windows 7. (The enhancements tab is completely gone for the speakers, other output devices do have that tab).

Anybody knows the fix?

Edit:

I got it now kind of working by using a trial version of SRS AudioSandbox. However, the quality is quite bad since the program tries to create a real 5.1 of stereo sound. I just want to have stereo over 4 speakers instead of fake 5.1 over 4 speakers.

Answer 1

I had the exact same problem in Windows 7, there are various drivers that sort of work with minor issues. But I eventually found the proper link with ASUS

SoundMAX Audio Driver v6.10.x.6585 for Windows 7 32/64bit released July 31, 2009 WHQL

Install that and you should have no problems like me (you will still have to tick 'Surround fill')

Answer 2

If you right click on the speaker icon then click playback devices, you should see the speakers listed.

Double click them and then go to the tab enhancements and you should be able to see all the built ones that support your device, and you can click advanced to edit a few other settings.

If you can not find what you want here, try downloading and playing with different versions of drivers for your chip as the Windows Vista / 7 sound control panel hooks directly in to functions that the drivers provide - if you do not see a option that you previously had, it is likely that you are using the default driver and not one designed for the audio chip.

Answer 3

Sounds like it could be a problem with your codecs if Windows is able to work ok with surround sound, but your files are not. What player are you using? I recommend Shark007s codecs: http://shark007.net/

perhaps give them a try and see what happens?

Answer 4

You are looking for what is usually called "speaker fill." That means you want to take the 2-channel mp3 sound and expand it to fill in the full set of surround speakers. You want to look for the options in your driver-specific software.

Answer 5

I had the same issue! and hear is my situation and fix...

Motherboard: Asus P5Q Deluxe

OS: Windows 7 32 bit

Driver installed: SoundMAX Intergrated Digital HD Audio

Driver Version: 6.10.1.6585

Speakers: 5.1 Sourround Sound (previously working on WinXP)

Problem: Open SoundMAX Control and test sound successfully plays through each speaker... BUT when listening to music/video in iTunes/media player etc sound only plays through front left and right speakers.

Fix: Open SoundMAX contol panel Click "Listening Experience" Tab Tick "Enable Sonic Focus" Box Sound now plays through every speaker when in iTunes/media player. Now you can adjust levels if needed for each speaker using the "Setup" Tab in SoundMax control also.

I hope this works for you!