Argh, I have exactly the same symptoms. I always thought it was my soundcard/Windows 7 because the problem cropped up shortly after upgrading to 7. I assumed it was something wrong with the soundcard driver (soundblaster audigy bass management). Well I finally unplugged and tested on a nother computer, same thing, very little bass. I've had these 2.1's since they came out in like 2001. So it's probably time they died. Though a lot of my electronics are that old or even older and still working fine.