Voice audio in cutscenes

[Valirelia]

I am having this exact issue, sound in cutscene is perfect effects, and music, but the voices all sound distant and echoing

[Celestianna]

Also encountered this issue after installing Patch 4.5. All cutscene voice recordings sound like distant echoes with very low volume - affects both new cutscenes and archive cutscenes, likely in all languages (I only tried 3). No other audio (BGM, sound effects, etc) seems to be affected, but I haven't tried everything.

Based on below troubleshooting results, suspect bug related to playback of cutscene voice recordings with mono audio setting. May only affect Windows client, based on limited information from other affected players (I am also on a Windows PC). Moderator please notify dev team since this issue did not exist on production released builds prior to patch 4.5.

Suggested workaround for affected players: change your default audio playback device (headset, speakers, etc) to STEREO or other multi-channel audio in Windows Sound Control Panel. Playback tab > select playback device > configure > audio channels (select STEREO or any option that's not MONO) > NEXT until FINISH. Make sure this device is set as default and check that general audio works. If your device only has MONO setting, you may need to find/buy another device. :l

Above players who "fixed" the issue on their machines may have inadvertently done this by messing with audio related settings and applications.

Issue observed with:
Logitech Jabra USB MONO Headset. Reproduced on 2 different Windows PCs with 2 different FFXIV accounts.

Issue not observed with:
Embedded PC speakers - STEREO
Cheapo generic headset with 4mm audio jack - STEREO
KOSS USB headset - STEREO

[purespoo]

Also experiencing this issue.

Noticed especially in cutscene #2 with Matoya.
Sounded like I was listening from a distant end of her cave only hearing a faint echo instead of standing in the room.

Not a headset issue. Only affected by cutscenes this patch.
Wireless Arctis Steel Series 7

[Dynratygus]

Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

I apologize for the delay in our response to this issue. For anyone still experiencing the issue, please create your own thread and provide a system report by going to the 'Config' option on the Final Fantasy XIV launcher and to the right of 'System Information' click on 'Display.'

Hope to see you online

[Camping]

Purespoo

Was having the same issue but was able to finally fix! Set your default audio in Windows to Arctis 7 (Game) and make sure your Arctis 7 drivers are up to date. Immediately started working for me after a restart. Hopefully this works for you