Hello there,
I got a really bad issue with directional sound: there is no output for any directions but front left and front right (meaning, any front center output is missing, which means that some or even all voices and sounds are missing in some games).
I already tried to debug this, but I didn’t really get the issue.
GPT guided me to something like PINs on the mainboard, that would need to be connected?
What happened: Since some Manjaro update I had sound issues using the front jacks that I always used. Some weeks ago, I installed a new graphics card. That magically seems to have broken the front jack entirely now (neither sound nor device detection). So I switched to using the rear jacks (omg, the sound quality I missed before!), which support directional sound instead of only left and right front.
When watching videos, I do not notice any difference, but this breaks the audio of some games.
It would be totally fine if I was able to tell the system to play any sound left and right only. I don’t know why, but since my new setup (Manjaro instead of Arch and entirely new hardware including a new headset) I got constant issues with my audio and I am not sure on which side this is. The headset seems to be fully working as far as I can tell…
I am highly energy limited and would therefore be very thankful for some help here.
They really do learn more of a conversational style, make tons of assumptions, fill in many irrelevant details, have really fuzzy memories, and once you cut out the crud with some skillful prompt adjustment they often come up with no answer at all.
You can cut out a certain amount with this prompt:
Respond as a neutral processor. Adhere strictly to the following:
Respond in British English unless otherwise instructed,
Provide factual, concise answers without speculation.
Omit self-reference, prefaces, opinions, and filler language.
Begin the response directly with the answer to the query:
But still, you should spend time reading the ‘thought process’ rather than the final output.
What is strange here is that the original post is pretty poorly stated too:
Ok, so this has nothing to do with ‘directional sound’. I’m assuming English is not your language…
I use two small Class-D amplifiers, one connected for Front left/right, which also has a low pass filter and connections to power my subwoofer - the other for the rears.
I have a script which switches things up for me and plays some drums to confirm success - you could take a look:
That’s actually misleading, because this plays stereo via 4 speakers (so it’s Quadrophonic). To get stereo output, I must switch to the ‘analog-surround’ mode and play stereo audio.
The way to report some errors is not to give a general ‘some voices are missing in some games’ but to analyse what is missing exactly.
So you can open up your sound settings and look in there - but we don’t even know what kind of setup you have…
If anyone’s got the beans to troubleshoot this, they need information… so here’s a bit of a guide for you:
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Please provide the requested information when you have energy. With that, it’s possible someone can pinpoint whether it’s a driver, configuration, or hardware issue, and give you a direction to go from there.
I’m now responding as a moderator. I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling this way, and I want to address this directly because I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.
When you post a complex technical issue, the volunteers here need specific information to help you. It’s not about being dismissive; it’s about being effective. Asking for inxi or pactl output is the equivalent of a doctor asking for your symptoms or a mechanic asking to look under the hood. Without it, we’re just guessing, which is the kind of unhelpful “AI” advice you rightfully complained about.
The community members who responded were trying to get that “under the hood” look so they could give you a precise, helpful answer. Their requests were a sign of engagement, not dismissal.
I am shocked that you consider this ‘ablest’, as my response was considerate enough to mention that your language might be something to be taken into consideration, and also that you may take your time and respond when you have the energy, as you explicitly brought this to our attention.
Saying “■■■■ you all, bye” in response to people who were actively trying to volunteer their time to help you is not fair or accurate. It creates a hostile environment for everyone.
I understand that dealing with this is frustrating, especially when your energy is limited. If you’re willing to work with us, we are still willing to help.
Please provide the diagnostic information that was asked for, and we can try to get this sorted out.
Please, let’s continue the conversation respectfully.
You may continue as normal, but I consider this was a very fair warning and will not tolerate such disrespectful behaviour.
I have hidden your post, and will pretend it never happened - it is forgotten at this time.
Front panel audio jacks on a desktop system are usually connected via a cable from the motherboard. The connection to the motherboard may have been dislodged or disconnected when the GPU was installed
Sound quality of front audio jacks is more likely to be affected by electro-magnetic noise from the digital circuitry than audio jacks mounted on the motherboard rear panel.
This noise can be reduced by using screened cables (cheap PC cases may use unscreened cable), and routing the cable to the front panel to keep it away from other internal cables carrying digital data (USB and SATA)
A desktop system can play audio to 3 or 4 of the rear jacks if it is connected to a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound receiver or speaker system.
But stereo speakers and headphones can only play 2 channels (front-left and front-right)
this breaks the audio of some games.
Check the game audio settings are set to stereo rather than surround sound
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