Windows 10: Switching between Stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 sound via system tray,resets sound quality setting

Hi,


Have noticed that if I change the number of channels I output from windows via a right click on the sound icon on the task bar as below, it resets the default format being output to 16 bit, 48000 Hz DVD quality see below.









If I make the same change using the legacy sound applet via the control panel, as below, the default format setting is unchanged.




I change the amount of channels multiple times a day depending on the amount of channels being output by the source I am listening to. This allows my amplified to apply processing for speaker fill or other DSP's in a superior way to what windows can.


This happened with Windows 1909 and still happens with 2004.

:)

 

Windows 10 audio configuration keeps changing from 5.1 to stereo at random

I have configured my sound system in Windows 10 as 5.1, and can hear and test all 5 speakers individually without problems. Then, when I am playing a movie with VLC or working with my Unity application, Windows 10 keeps changing (seemingly randomly) back to Stereo, and often times 5-10 seconds later again back to 5.1, always with a 1-2 second delay (silence) during switching.

I have a Teufel Concept E and Concept 450 speaker system which have onboard sound cards. I have also tried using a Behringer FCA610 and Logilink UA0099 7.1 sound card connected to the sound system via optical cable and also with 3 single 3.5mm cables. Nothing seems to matter, Windows 10 arbitrarily change between stereo and 5.1 mode. I never had this issue with Windows 7.

If I configure the soundcard via Windows control panel (Speaker Setup screen), it often shows as being in Stereo mode, even though I just 5 minutes prior set it to 5.1! Sometimes it works fine for an hour, other times it happens after several minutes. I can't determine any rhyme or reason.

I have also tried using a different PC where nothing sound-related is running except my Unity application, and again the same problem occurs. One PC is Intel i7-8700, the other is an AMD Ryzen 7.

I tried installing Xear audio panel (suggested by Teufel) and changing to 5.1 manually, but this too sometimes resets back to Stereo mode, also seemingly randomly.

How can I lock Windows down to 5.1? Can I run some kind script that runs continuously and sets to 5.1? It is highly frustrating!

 

Sound quality

You might want to experiment with this:

Stereo Mix no longer appears. - Windows 10 Forums

See greyed out item here:




Option is available In VB Cable if set as default device:





You must select this device in system tray sound icon.





You must configure output via speakers:

 

Sound Quality

One thing that sticks out from looking at your "My Computer" specs. You list "ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)" which suggests you do not have the correct sound hardware driver. Your motherboard has Realtek sound and the first step is to install the Realtek sound drivers. My ASUS also came with Sonic Studio 2 which is a sound enhancement package. Check the ASUS install disc to see if you have something similar.

May not be a speaker problem.