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Question about Windows Media Player Quality


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Hi,

 

I'm not exactly what you would call an audiophile but I can't seem to get my PC's sound system to sound great. I have the Asus Sabertooth Z77 MD with a Realtek ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio connected to a very good quality Logitech 5.1 Analog speaker system.

 

I get some improvement using the WMP built in EQ and/or the Realtek control pane's EQ but there is always something missing, too bass, muddy, to treble etc.. etc.. There never seems to be quite enough control to level off some of those issues. Are there any other third party programs i.e.. EQ's, DSP's or sound managers out there that can give me a little bit more control? I have tried installing the AC3 filter which was recommended by Shark007 and that made in game and some 5.1 encoded movies better but not music including lossless formats.

 

Any ideas?

 

 

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How do you figure it's not your speakers?  I have Logitech's 5.1 speakers as well, and I wouldn't exactly describe them as "very good quality".  Although they're fine as desktop speakers, I suppose, but you if you want "very good quality", the first mistake is getting desktop speakers.

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The best music player on Windows is Foobar, by far. But for music all you really need is a good stereo setup. Surround setups are horrible for music as you completely ruin the stereo imaging and the sound stage. Foobar without an equalizer should give you a pure, clean output.

 

If you're not happy with a clean output from your PC, your speakers are the problem. 

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Hi again,

 

Well I finally figured out I have the Logitech X-530 5.1 Analog Surround Sound Speaker System which are pretty old as I got them when they first came out in August of 2004 . As I mentioned above I cannot get my sound crisp and clear no matter what I do.  I've played CD's, ripped directly and loss-less from the disc, used internal and external EQ's, speaker positioning and a host of other settings in the Realtek control panel. If I try a new set of speaker what would you suggest for normal CD's and gaming? A good low price and high price suggestion would be great for my research.

 

Thanks,

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Ditch WMP and install VLC or Media Player Classic

 

You'll then have access to the AC3 filters you installed as well as the options provided by the programs.

If he wants quality, VLC is not the one to suggest, sure it'll take anything, but quality is not its forte.

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The best music player on Windows is Foobar, by far. But for music all you really need is a good stereo setup. Surround setups are horrible for music as you completely ruin the stereo imaging and the sound stage. Foobar without an equalizer should give you a pure, clean output.

 

If you're not happy with a clean output from your PC, your speakers are the problem.

The best music player on Windows is Foobar, by far. But for music all you really need is a good stereo setup. Surround setups are horrible for music as you completely ruin the stereo imaging and the sound stage. Foobar without an equalizer should give you a pure, clean output.

 

If you're not happy with a clean output from your PC, your speakers are the problem.

Well he can play pure stereo on a surround setup and as long as he doesn't use a dap it will only use the front speakers, which on a good quality set will be the same as a good stereo set. Sometimes I also like to use 5.1 stereo on my receiver to make use of my large back speakers as well. Basically regular full stereo but with 4 speakers and the sub helping out for depth.

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You can also use LAV with Windows Media Player (That's the filter/spliter set used by Media Player Classic Home Cinema as of late):

https://github.com/Nevcairiel/LAVFilters/releases

 

I use it to down mix 5.1/7.1 AC3/DTS/LPCM to headphones or pass through to my Yamaha receiver.

 

It also allows WMP to playback MKV and open DLNA streams sent out by DLNA receivers (Rather than within WMP itself)

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Winamp was always a solid choice for me for some decent EQ balancing to desktop computer speakers. If you're happy with the sound card I would be looking at decent speakers (not Logitech) first, then a discrete card such as an M-Audio if its stil lnot up to your liking. If you can though I would pass through to a good receiver/speaker setup as mentioned above using MPC-HC and the LAV filter. Its what I do too :)

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Second vote for winamp (if it is still available and you don't want to spend too much)
A decent speaker system would also be worth looking into..
Don't be put off by logitech, they're rather good for their price, if you look towards the higher end gear, but before I start throwing out brands, you'll have to decide how much time and money do you want to throw at it..

A nice amp and hifi quality speaker system for a pc, can be considered overkill, but I know people who do exactly that.
 
(must... fight.. urge to defend Logitech speakers.........) :p

 

 


Logitech PC speakers are actually really bad quality when to comes to music. They are nice for 5.1 movies/games but to listen to music they are awful 2.1 speakers.
I understand your point, partially, but Logi's are like most speakers, the spec depends on how much one wants to spend on them, and to be honest, my z3's blew the bose companion 2.1 clean out of the water in a side by side comparison, (at full volume, set to my pc, the logi's sub distorted less, ok the satellites aren't as crisp, but then these were nearly ?200 cheaper than the bose,) and if someone really wanted to spend that sort of money, I'd suggest looking into an amp and speaker system :)

 

<must... fight... urge... harder...>
 

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How do you figure it's not your speakers?  I have Logitech's 5.1 speakers as well, and I wouldn't exactly describe them as "very good quality".  Although they're fine as desktop speakers, I suppose, but you if you want "very good quality", the first mistake is getting desktop speakers.

 

Logitech PC speakers are actually really bad quality when to comes to music. They are nice for 5.1 movies/games but to listen to music they are awful 2.1 speakers.

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All this talk about speakers, EQ, etc and he's running mobo audio.

 

Get a decent discrete sound card. I'm running my trusty SoundBlaster X-Fi into a 7.1 setup (GigaWorks). Rivals my HT at times.

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All this talk about speakers, EQ, etc and he's running mobo audio.

 

Get a decent discrete sound card. I'm running my trusty SoundBlaster X-Fi into a 7.1 setup (GigaWorks). Rivals my HT at times.

I use the on-board audio from my desktop with my sound system and I have never had an issue with it. The sound quality at times blows me away and its only a $50 motherboard. But that could very well be the case.

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Logitech PC speakers are actually really bad quality when to comes to music. They are nice for 5.1 movies/games but to listen to music they are awful 2.1 speakers.

Their biggest 5.1 THX system makes for a good stereo system as well. but it's expensive if you just want music. technically I find it expensive for a PC sound system at all. 

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Their biggest 5.1 THX system makes for a good stereo system as well. but it's expensive if you just want music. technically I find it expensive for a PC sound system at all. 

 

Maybe dunno but i have the z5500 and it's awful for music to be honest.

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I use the on-board audio from my desktop with my sound system and I have never had an issue with it. The sound quality at times blows me away and its only a $50 motherboard. But that could very well be the case.

 

Thing is, until you've compared it to a discrete audio solution you may think you're getting great sound when it's merely adequate.

 

Just like in video, people thought DVD was the shiznit and then HD & Blu-ray came along...

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Maybe dunno but i have the z5500 and it's awful for music to be honest.

 

configure it right and use it as a stereo setup not as surround for music and you should have a good pc sound setup. otherwise you need proper book case speakers and an AMP with a USB DAC. 

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