Windows 10: Enhancing sound

I could use some suggestions on how I can boost, enhance, or otherwise manipulate sound on my laptop. I know this system isn't a multi-media hub, although I do have Kodi and Plex installed. When I watch movies on Netflix or a dvd, the sound is rather bland and flat. Need some sort of software based booster/eq. I've asked this question on a few Facebook pages, and folks start suggestion players. That isn't what I'm looking for, don't need a player for Netflix. Suggestions?

:)

 

PC Speakers set to defaults (stereo) has music no vocals

Hi Barbara,

Try to disable the enhancements from the sound settings, if not click this
Linkto see instructions how to disable sound enhancements, please choose Turn off Audio enhancement from the dropdown menu.

Regards,

 

Enhancements tab missing from both speakers and microphone properties since Windows 10 update

I have the same problem!

I am using the Lenovo Thinkpad T430.

After upgrading from windows 7 to windows 10, the sound enhancements tab is gone! The main problem is that this option is not working fine on Windows 10 so it has been removed automatically.

The only way to have the sound enhancements back is removing the updated sound driver and install the old one from the Lenovo hompage.

However, the sound enhancements will work for a short time only. Then the windows will automatically disable it and update the new sound driver.

Without sound enhancements, the sound is terrible as it has no bass boot option.

Now, I am still waiting for a new sound driver update from Lenovo (the newest one which is compatible with my laptop on their homepage was released from 2013!)

 

I have a program called Soundblaster Cinema 2 which can do exactly that.
From emulating surround sound to emphasising base and treble to per device profiles.
It came with the PC, here's a URL
OEM - Software Solutions - Sound Blaster Cinema 2

However if you use a player that has a built-in graphic equaliser, you can probably do most of what's needed.

 

The computer has a RealTek HD embedded chip onboard. No real controls what so ever. Just volume control. That's it. If you've ever used Netflix, not all videos are created the same. Every desktop I've built, I used Sound Blaster sound cards. A few motherboards might have had Turtle Beach, but more often then not they had RealTek onboard chips which I had to disable. Just wondering how a Creative Labs software package will work with another company's sound processor and just how much can be done given the physical limitations of that chip?

 

All sound cards can be manipulated to achieve better sound, it's a case of amplification and frequency, SB cinema is a software suite and will work with any sound device, the purpose of a sound card is to deliver sound, the only limitation with Realtek hardware is the faint buzzing noise from many onboard cards.

 

IMO, you need to have a DSP plugin such as Dolby Virtual Speaker to greatly enhance depth. To be honest however, you are much better off with a headphone then use Dolby Headphone. You will hear bass as deep and as punchy as that of a home theater except you don't feel the bass. Since Dolby mimics surround, you will hear surround except it's in your head, but IMO the experience will be much better than the laptop speakers.

 

True, you need to start with the hardware. External speakers or a decent pair of headphones. Just look at how tiny laptop speakers are. Whether you use powered external speakers (choose carefully for sound quality!) or your own sound system - like my 1980's Technics amp + Acoustic Research speakers with 10" woofers- that makes a huge difference.

But if you've only your laptop, then for portability, headphones obviously.

 

Honestly, although I'm using a laptop, I don't take it anywhere. I used earbuds as I have the laptop next to our bed on a TV table. That way I can watch It in bed, while my wife uses the TV. I've been using the earbuds that came with my Samsung Galaxy S3, but they actually died last night. So now I'm trying to use my JVC full sized headphone. Not as comfie while laying down though. I will look into that SB Cinema package the next time I head over to MicroCenter.