Nope!! It has sound. Just connect the HDMI cable and plug your speaker on the audio out connector located at the back. You may need a good set of speaker though..

mine is altech lansing:   It's really nice playing at full volume..  

"fade in" as in every time the monitor is powered up or a game is loaded there is no sound present and after a few seconds the sound becomes audible...?? yeah I do have that kind of problem..

Its really not a big issue for me though since the fade in happen during the intro or loading screen but once you get to the main menu the sound started to "sync"...

Have you ask the costumer support on this coz I'm planning to do???  

I'll ask them later..I need to check my service tag number first..
It may be HDMI handshaking issue between the console and the monitor which we can't do anything..

Try using your AV cable for sound instead, if you have the right connector..