Audio port failing selectively on Gigabyte motherboard

Jun 2, 2018
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I'm using Logitech Z506 5.1 speakers with a GIGABYTE GA-Z170X-UD5 motherboard, no sound card. Some time ago, the front left speaker began outputting only electronic distortion when primary audio was plugged into the rear audio port. However, this speaker gives normal audio when plugged into my case's front headphone port (though this screws up the 5.1 profile).

Since it doesn't seem to be speaker failure, does that mean it's a hardware failure on the rear motherboard audio port? Is there a way to fix this? Is getting a proper sound card the best solution?
 
Jun 2, 2018
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Yes. Speaker configurations in Realtek have no effect on audio output of this particular speaker when plugged into the rear audio port. Likewise, Device Manager reports all devices working correctly with all drivers up to date. Removing and reinstalling drivers has had no effect.
 

Realtek HD Audio Manager should be controlling the rear audio ports. What controllers are listed under Sound, video and game controllers in Device Manager?
 
Jun 2, 2018
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Realtek High Definition Audio is the primary audio controller there for my speakers. Others are Samon GoMic, Steam Streaming Speakers/Microphone, Nvidia High Definition Audio, Nvidia Virtual Audio Device.

The speaker issue has been tested independently, with all other controllers either directly disabled or their devices unplugged. Realtek High Definition Audio reports no problems, and removing/reinstalling its driver has had no effect.
 

Have you read page 107 of your motherboard manual "Chapter 6, Appendix - Configuring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio"?