Smart Computing Article - Speakers & Headphones

October 2005 • Vol.9 Issue 6 Page(s) 14-16 in print issue Add To My Personal Library Problem: I just set up a pair of stereo speakers in my living room, but I don’t think they sound quite right. What can I do? If your audio doesn’t sound as good as you think it should when you set up a new pair of speakers, check their position. In general, speakers should be placed at about ear-height (when sitting). Surround-sound speakers benefit from a slightly higher placement directly to each side of your listening position. Center your listening position between the loudspeakers on either side of your entertainment center and place the speakers equidistant from the display screen. Subwoofer placement is less important, as low-frequency sounds are nondirectional, though placing the box in a corner provides a boomier sound (not always desirable). Problem: I hear a loud hum coming from my subwoofer. Try moving the power cord from the power surge protector, if it's plugged into one, and plug it directly into a wall outlet. Move your cables and check to see that they are making a good connection. Finally, if you disconnect your stereo cable from the sound card and the loud hum goes away, then you may need to use Windows to adjust the volume control as you may be overdriving the volume settings on your speaker system: Click the speaker icon located next to the digital clock to the lower right of your Desktop and adjust the volume. I’d like to get a little