Windows 10: What does "Loudness Equalization" do and what should I set it to?

[COLOR=rgba51, 51, 51, 1]The Properties Enhancement tab says "Loudness Equalization uses understanding of human hearing to reduce perceived volume differences, can someone explain to me what this means exactly? I have tried using my headphones with and without it on and I just notice volume changes but I've never examined if it had any ill effects like music being played inaccurately and if I do enable it in the Loudness Equalization Settings it gives a scroll bar titled "Release Time" and it goes between long and short what does this release time setting mean? Sorry I know I must sound silly asking such a question.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba51, 51, 51, 1]And by the way, my Windows version is Windows Home 64-bit 10.0.19042 Build 19042 if that matters.[/COLOR]

:)

 

Can't find loudness equalization

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you are unable to get proper audio output levels on certain videos.



Ideally, the level of audio depends on the type of file that you are playing. As you have mentioned that you are unable to find Loudness equalization, I would like to inform that certain audio devices and audio card does not provide the Audio Enhancements
options.



However, you may want to have a look at the Sound Control panel, and see if Loudness Equalization Enhancement is available. Refer the steps mentioned below:

1. Press Windows Logo key + R, to open
   Run dialog box.
   
2. Type mmsys.cpl and click on
   OK.
   
3. Under Playback tab, double click on the sound device that you are using.
   
4. Click on Enhancements tab.
   
5. Select the checkbox for Loudness Equalization.
   
6. Click on OK.
   

If the issue persists, you may want to try updating the Audio drivers and check. Refer the steps mentioned below:

1. Press Windows Logo key + X, and select
   Device Manager.
   
2. Expand Sound, Video, and Game Controllers.
   
3. Right click on the Audio
   device and select Update Driver.
   

Article for reference:
Update drivers in Windows 10.



We can try to use an alternate audio driver and see if that helps. Refer the steps mentioned below:

1. Press Windows Logo key + X, and select
   Device Manager.
   
2. Expand Sound, Video, and Game Controllers.
   
3. Right click on Realtek Audio and select
   Update Driver.
   
4. Select Browse my computer for Driver Software.
   
5. In the next screen, select Let me pick from a list of available drivers.
   
6. Check the box Show Compatible Hardware and select
   High Definition Audio Device.
   
7. Click on Yes if you get any prompt.
   

If you do not see any change, you can use Update Driver option and Search automatically to revert to Realtek driver.



Let us know how it goes.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Loudness Equalization Issue with Realtek

Hi everyone,

I've been having an odd problem with Loudness Equalization. I have an ASUS TUF 505DT and primarily use headphones. 3 weeks ago without any reason (I checked for Windows Updates) the Loudness Equalization option, along with the addional EQ bars, randomly disappeared from the Realtek Audio Console. Didn't have any issues for 6 months. Since I checked the other thread, device manager has Realtek Audio listed and not Realtek High Definition Audio Device.

If I install the generic Microsoft driver I regain the Loudness Equalization option through Sound Settings but naturally Realtek Audio Console stops working. I wouldn't have minded it too much but to me the audio quality seems slightly worse with the generic MS driver. The weirdest part is if I unistall the device the Realtek driver returns and I regain the full capability of the Audio console but upon restart it's gone again. Also, while I regain the option, the audio seems vaguely hollow unless restarted when the audio console loses its options again but the sound is fine. It's amazing for music but both Netflix and games have incredibly low audio with the Realtek driver without loudness equalization so I'm forced to use the generic MS driver.

One thing I have noticed through many reinstalls is that the events log mentions Device not migrated. It still works though. I tried downloading drivers from ASUS which are the same as the default windows Realtek reinstall. I did notice that 3 out of 4 items fail to install in the cmd even when ran as admin which might be part of the problem. I should also mention the laptop comes with Dts Headphone X which also breaks when using the generic Microsoft driver but I haven't found much use for it anyway.

My only other guess is that the 2004 Windows 10 build showed up a few weeks ago. It failed to update a few days after my issues started and now I only see messages about it coming soon. Don't know if some pre-update files might have been added and messed up the Realtek driver. Current build from sys info is 18363.

While the Microsoft driver isn't horrible I would love if anyone has any suggestions or had a similar issue. My only option now seem to revert back to factory settings and reinstall everything again. Thank you!

 

loudness equalization keeps being turned off

This last week, my computer keeps turning the Loudness Equalization setting off. Is there any way to stop this?