Why is Windows 10 splitting my 3 Speakers into two separate devices?

[Windows Central Question]

Windows 10 is Splitting my 3 Speakers into two separate devices.

As the title states, the Technical Preview is splitting my two speakers and 1 subwoofer into two audio outputs. The Realtek drivers that I had on Windows 8.1 did not work in 10, so I had to fall back to the Microsoft default drivers. I have an ASUS GOR G750JW-DB71 Laptop. When I use the Realtek drivers provided by ASUS for Windows 8.1, the sound comes out as if the output has been boosted by approximately 100 dB, and is completely distorted. The audio can be outputted by either the two front facing speakers OR the underside subwoofer (Completely muddy because it's suppose to only output low frequencies), but not both at the same time. Is there any fix for this or should I just deal with bass-less sound until Realtek can release updated drivers?

 

[johnwinkmsft]

Re: Windows 10 is Splitting my 3 Speakers into two separate devices.

As the title states, the Technical Preview is splitting my two speakers and 1 subwoofer into two audio outputs. The Realtek drivers that I had on Windows 8.1 did not work in 10, so I had to fall back to the Microsoft default drivers. I have an ASUS GOR G750JW-DB71 Laptop. When I use the Realtek drivers provided by ASUS for Windows 8.1, the sound comes out as if the output has been boosted by approximately 100 dB, and is completely distorted. The audio can be outputted by either the two front facing speakers OR the underside subwoofer (Completely muddy because it's suppose to only output low frequencies), but not both at the same time. Is there any fix for this or should I just deal with bass-less sound until Realtek can release updated drivers?

The basic Windows driver only supports stereo, no subwoofer. This explains why your audio ends up with only two channels when using that driver. As to the sound quality of the Realtek drivers, a fix should be released by Realtek soon for that. You'll then be able to use your two channels plus bass correctly. Thanks!