Distortion with low frequency sounds

I'm using a X-Fi XtremeGamer soundcard in a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L MOBO running windows vista 32bit,? and Logitech X-540 speakers with monster cable RCA cables.
About a month ago I started noticing that low frequencies (Bass drum, explosions, bass guitar) in songs, video games, etc. were being distorted and muffled. It sounds like the sounds are coming out of a massi've amp in another room behind 3ft. of concrete.
At first I thought it was my speakers, so I replaced my old set with the brand new logitech speakers and brand new cables. No help
Then I uninstalled all my creative software and drivers, and took the card out. Switched on the integrated audio chipset on my MOBO from BIOS and downloaded the latest drivers for that. The sound quality improved slightly.
Next I uninstalled the drivers for the integrated chipset, turned off, popped the sound card back in, turned off the integrated chip,? installed the drivers from the CD, then updated with the latest? SBXF_PCDRV_LB_2_5_0006 driver. Back to the original problem.
Next I checked to make sure the sound files themselves weren't corrupted, I put the same files on another computer with the same MOBO, and they sounded fine through the integrated chipset.
So I'm out of ideas... has anyone heard of a problem like this before? It seems to me I hae a defecti've sound card, but the fact I have similar problems with the integrated chipset worries me...

I have exactly the same problem - especially with the sound track in games like Far Cry2, Fear2 etc - low frequecy sound heavily distorted, just as you describe. Same result with all settings tried. Low frequecy sound in movies is fine.
I have? a 2. speaker setup, and am wondering if something is simply not seperating frequecies correctly - trying to make the subwoofer handle? frequecies that should go to the normal speakers?
Message Edited by ArchPrime on 03-29-2009 08:3 [email protected]

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