Sound on Inspiron 1525

Contact Dell asap and let them troubleshoot.

I haven't tried playing a CD yet, but anytime I listen to music online, or any sound at all for that matter, its so low and hard to hear, even with the volume cranked all the way up. That can't be right.

I just spoke with a Dell rep., and they said its just the way the system is. Supposedly, it wasn't meant for "Multimedia" use. Oh well. I figured the sound would be louder than it is though. Guess I'll just have to deal. I'll try it with headphones and see if it sounds any better.

I just received the very same model as well and I am having the very same problems with sound as you . I have contacted customer service and there does not appear to be a fix for the problem. The laptop has pretty decent sound  using headphones or using external speakers. I have owned Dell laptops off and on for over 10 years and this model laptop by far has the worst sound that I have ever heard.  You do have 21 days from the invoice date to send the unit back and that is EXACTLY what I am going to do. If you look on in to the message boards you will see that this is a very widespread problem even including the Studio version and other models as well. They are using very small , low wattage speakers. When you do get sound it is very tinny, and at a very low volume through the laptop speakers. There are also occassional crackles and pops. If you do use the MIcrosoft audio drivers instead of the IDT or SigmaTel driver you will get a slight improvement in sound but that driver will make it so that you cannot use the built in microphone , if yours came with the web cam and array microphones. That driver is from 6/2006 driver 6.0.6000.16386 .

Thanks, it's nice to know I'm not crazy after all. :emotion-5:

Turns out there is a noticable improvement in the sound when using headphones or external speakers, so that helps. Can't exactly send it back though, considering it was a gift. I guess I can learn to live with it.

Mine is the same, the sound is not good at all through its speakers. However, the sound is good with headphones. I have not tried using external speakers.

xoglitznglam87,

When the 1525 first came out there were a slew of complaints here about the low volume. That model only has 1 watt of power per channel compared to 2 watts per channel for most of the earlier models. Forum member X-Tek posted the following tip that  some 1525 owners found helpful:

"I recently bought a 1525 and had the same problem. Managed to get more volume by doing this:

 Start -> Control Panel -> Sound -> Speakers / Headphones -> Enhancements Tab
Then, Tick the "Loudness Equalization" -> Apply / OK

I have also ticked the "Bass Boost and Low Frequency Protection" plus the "Virtual Sound".

The volume is still not great, but definately better than it was."

I have noticed those options before, but never actually tried them out. I will do that, thank you!

Dell installed a new mother board and speakers for me still no sound.  I saw another entry which indicated that Vista renamed drivers during the update so reverting to the original os will only temporarily solve the issue.  Any other observations or solutions?

I can understand your situation. However, the sound is working as per designed, and I understand this is really slow. You may try going into

msconfig and disable some useless start up items to make sure they are not conflciting with sound and disable all the enhancements under SOUND.

Start > Type msconfig and hit enter. Go to Startup and choose disable all and then one by one choose only imp Startup items like Anti Virus, Sypnatics, Wireless, Quickset. Reboot and let me know the difference.

Start > Type Sound and hit enter. Under Sound Speakers/ Headphones > Properties > Enhancements > Disable all enhancements.

All the best!!

I am also having the same problem and wrote to DELL Dutch support.

Strange enouch touch the wrote me back after almost 3 weeks (very late) and just started to tell me that I need to updte the drivers which, as you know here, did not help the case.

I guess I have to buy another notebook as for my work, journalist, it does not come close to my standards.

Any suggestions for any other notobook here besides of DELL?

Thanks in advance.

Peter John

Yeah, works as designed!  Wow, pretty disappointing that this level of sound quality is acceptable to Dell.  I realize the Inspiron 1525 may be considered a budget machine  but come on, people.  This unfortunately is the way of the world now and Dell is no different than others.  Always looking for ways to cut corners to save the bottom line.  Have you noticed how thin the aluminum is in soda cans now?

Its NOT working as designed as it a BIG problem with a SMALL sound..very low!

And guess what? Its not the problem only with the cheapest way of saving money and getting bigger money from us..YOUR clients!

It are also the drivers!

Soon I will inform you on Youtube why is it that I am so sure..
Taking the same DELL 1525 and booting with Apple Mac on it the sound is much louder, almost twice as loud!
So this is due to other drivers used.
When I go back to the DELL support download page I can see the last update was about the time when Columbus discovered America!
Also a budget Laptop? I paid big money for it and I can show you some other models and brands which are close at this price tag which do offer great speakers.

Mr and Mrs. DELL support please do not get us wrong, we are not expecting a mobile Disco raod show with your piece of hardware, but I hate to tell my wife and daughter to hold their voices when I try to listen to news by internet on your, great design!