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Here is an image illustrating the difference:

I use MusicBee for most music that I have downloaded, but I've used Youtube, games, and the system sounds to test as well, which all have the balance issue. Also, wouldn't the system reset set all playback settings to default?

I looked in the sound settings and the Realtek audio manager, and the balance is equal. Is there anywhere else I would check?

I've tested using a decibel meter and the difference between channels is about the same on all volume levels (logarithmically, of course). As for the speakers/ amplfier, I've tested using my realistic STA-225 Receiver and KLH tube speakers, and it's the same difference.

I've tried using about ten different stereo tests and testing in games as well, It's the same at all frequencies for the most part. I have tried both connectors and the HDMI audio out on my monitor, all act the same.

I tested with about five other devices and all gave the same result. The pan setting adjusts the relative volume, but not the treble/bass, which is different as well. The left has a lot less richness to the sound and is a lot more 'twangy' than the right.

I recently began to notice that my left speaker was playing quieter than my right, but also seemed to have different treble/bass. I'd had this issue before, but it corrected itself fairly easily (although I forget what I did that time). I looked at other forum posts and the general consensus was to disable all sound effects under the speaker/driver properties. I did that, and the problem persisted. I've tried essentially everything at this point. I tried switching to the windows drivers, switching audio jacks, reinstalling all my drivers (the Realtek website is down, so that helps), and finally, reinstalling Windows 10 altogether. I know it's not hardware because I've tried about five different headphones/speakers and they all get the same result. I'm completely at my wits end here, and if this persists for much longer I think I'll just use Linux full-time. Does you guys have any idea what's happening here? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm using an MSI Z97-G45 motherboard with the onboard realtek audio.