We have been playing CD's without any problem to the sound. But for some reason the sound is still ok but we can not here the singer very well. It is just a very distant sound.

is this on windows media player? if so, what version of media player is it?
what o/s are you running?

We are using windows media player version ten and our operating system is windows XP.

The same problem applies for DVD's too, we are using cyberlink power DVD to play DVD's.

Have you just recently noticed the problem, upgraded media player, installed anything else? Have you looked at the sound settings, graphic equalizer settings in Media player?

open windows media player, click view>Enhancements>graphic equalizer and select default, hope this helps, if not, you could try a diferent set of speakers or use headphones..
Mike

Good suggestion about the equaliser Madmikejt12 but, as the same problem occurs in Cyberlink PowerDVD, it sounds like it might be related more to the sound card drivers. Billmills, could you see if there are any programs / utilities on the Start Menu or in Control Panel that came with the sound card for adjusting the sound properties? It sounds to me like a karaoke feature could have been accidentally enabled - karaoke features will cut out (or, at least, quieten) the vocals.

Also, as Mike suggested, it would be worth proving that it's not actually your speakers at fault.

Good suggestion about the equaliser Madmikejt12 but, as the same problem occurs in Cyberlink PowerDVD, it sounds like it might be related more to the sound card drivers

yes, i thaught of that after i posted!! lol (not about the drivers part tho, i was thinking more windows volume control but that doesnt realy have an equaliser or anything like that, just volume controls)

It's none of these and we don't have any karaoke features either. We have also tried different speakers but still no good.

do you have an audio jack at the front of your pc (for headphones or speakers) if so, try it in that

We have now discovered that when we put the balance as far to the left or right as possible in windows media player we can hear the sound ok from both speakers but when we put it back to the centre the voices disappear ???