Guild Wars 2

I’ve already had a long conversation with ANet about my sound issues, tried all their suggestions, provided all the information, and don’t want to pursue that any further. I’m hoping someone else here has had the same problem and might be able to point me in the right direction.

I’ve noticed this primarily in GW2 but have less often had it occur when the game is not running, while listening to music for example. The sound suddenly pops and becomes muffled and static-y. Opening up the game options and moving the quality slider in any direction restores normal sound. However, within seconds or minutes the problem will occur again.

I’ve updated drivers to my Creative X-Fi Xtreme sound card, cleaned and checked connections on my 5.1 speakers, tried all kinds of game option changes, and this never improves. I love the game sound, but the constant problem keeps me frustrated and on edge, rather than relaxed and immersed. I want to fix this once and for all.

If I were to replace something, should it be the speakers or the card?

If your motherboard has integrated audio you could remove your soundcard and see if the issue remains.

I don’t know what I’d plug the speakers into then.

Another thought: what does it tell me if I hear the problem with headphones on?
Edit: nowhere to plug in the headphones except the speaker controller. Guess that test is out.

I set Guild Wars 2 to use my graphics card HDMI sound. So far I haven’t had the problem, although it’s in stereo, not 5.1. Can I conclude it’s the sound card that’s causing the problem?