Chris Rogers

Thanks so much for responding! I was using some app that pops up when I plug in speakers (republic of gamers supremefx?) as well as the sound settings/device properties Balance control. I'm realizing now that is not going to work. A simple stereo test as you suggest shows it does have the intended affect. Thanks again for responding and sorry to waste your time. Hopefully at the very least this thread will help someone else making the same mistake.

Windows 10/Realtek channel swapping doesn't work (but other filters do)