I do not do it the CLI way. I do not need to change
ports or anything. I just use the default.

Do your speakers play anything? KDE uses a different sound system on the
front end than Ubuntu. Tou can change the settings in System settings,
Hardware, Multimedia and click on Phonon. You change the Backend from
Gstreamer to something else, but you may need to install whatever you have
in mind first, say Xine. Then you can switch between them in the settings.
You can also play with the sound card under the Speaker Settings tab. You
can test the sound on the Device Preference tab.

Before doing anything, though, check the mixer and make sure the sliders are
up and not muted. You might want to write down changes that you make so that
you can reverse things if need be.

I have not had any sound problems with Kubuntu (touch wood) other than
having it muted and not realising it. I have had problems with PA in the
past, but Kubuntu seems to have dealt with that for most sound cards. I am
sure there are still some hardware that is having fits with it because I
keep hearing from people, especially on older versions of Kubuntu.

It is Canada Day and I won't be around much this weekend to help out
unfortunately. I hope someone else will pitch in.