Weird problem w/ SB X-Fi Surround (USB)

[d00df00d]

I bought a Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround (the USB one) for use with my laptop, and it's producing a little distortion in the low frequency range. I downloaded a tone generator to test it, and it seems that below about 150 Hz there is a hissing noise; the hiss is louder and more broken up the lower the frequency.

It kind of sounds like the airy sound you get when there's a small hole in the flexible rim around a woofer cone. I'm pretty sure it's not the speakers, though, because it sounds exactly the same in both channels, both in my headphones and on a somewhat expensive home theater setup.

I've tried lowering the volume on the computer and using a headphone amp instead, to no avail. The noise seems to be totally independent of volume.

Any thoughts?

 

[MysticGold04]

I was going to say your speakers couldn't handle the lower frequencies, but since you tested that..

Very odd. Did you check to see if there are any updates or newer drivers available?

 

[d00df00d]

Yup, did the driver dance already.

I should also add that both my headphones and the home theater are able to reproduce those frequencies from other sources without distortion or noise.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Did you try plugging it into a different USB port?

What about plugging it to a different computer? Still same issue?

 

[OVERKILL]

Have you contacted the manufacturer?

 

[d00df00d]

Different USB ports, yes.

Different computer, no.

Manufacturer, yes. Awaiting response.