On a computer, sounds and audio listening can always be improved through software manipulation, through equalizers and tools to amplify the sound . Depending on the PC used, you can optimize the sound directly through the Windows settings or using the sound card management program, if available.
Using an audio output management program, you can get support for 5.1 surround systems and optimize the sounds that come out of the computer according to the environment in which you are.
This type of improvement is important not only for listening to music, but also for the sound of movies and videos and the sounds of video games or other programs.
The most popular program for managing your computer's audio enhancements is Realtek HD Audio Manager, which is already installed on Realtek PCs with a Realtek sound card with updated Realtek High Definition Audio Drivers .
In the case of support, I refer to the guide on how to update / install sound card drivers to find the link to download the Realtek and VIA audio drivers.
If present, you can launch the Realtek Audio Manager program from the corresponding icon located in the notification area, near the clock.
You can also search for the program in the Windows Start menu or by opening a folder on your computer and looking for the exe file in the path
C: \ Program Files \ Realtek \ Audio \ HDA \
The name of the executable file can be RtHDVCpl.exe or different according to the version of the software installed.
Once Realtek HD Audio Manager has been launched, you can configure the sound coming out of the computer speakers and the use of the microphone.
For audio speakers you can adjust the volume, balance the left-right output and try each speaker to see if it works and if it has been correctly connected to the PC.
You can also use the headphones virtualization tool to create the illusion of a home theater system when using headphones instead of speakers.
In the sound effects tab, you can apply special effects to the output sound and set an equalizer profile suitable for the environment, to reduce the perceived volume differences.
In the predefined formats tab you can also select the default audio quality in terms of sampling frequency and bit depth.
If you are using an audio CD or DVD, then, you can set the audio format as CD format or DVD format.
From the Realtek HD Audio Manager program you can also optimize the audio input from the microphone, using options to suppress static background noise during recording and reduce the acoustic echo caused by the front speakers.
By modulating these settings according to your needs, you can take full advantage of the speakers and the microphone, especially if you are using a surround stereo system.
READ ALSO: Configure 5.1 or 7.1 computer speakers for surround sound
On some PCs, instead of the Realtek program, there may be a different audio management program which may be VIA ( VIA HD Audio Deck ), which roughly has the same functions and options.
Failing that, you can use the Windows Sound Configuration Tool, which is distinctly less cute to look at and with far fewer options, but it can fix any distortions in computer sound or problems with the sound card.
To find the audio properties of the computer, just press the right mouse button on the volume icon, the classic standard one, then click on the playback devices.
From here, select the default audio output and press on Configure to open a wizard that allows you to tell Windows which type of speakers you are using, whether a 5.1 surround, a 7.1 or a two-speaker stereo system.
You can therefore activate the full range speaker option, to say that they are not secondary satellite speakers or to activate and deactivate any speakers missing in a 5.1 or 7.1 system.
Returning to the playback devices screen, select the default one again and press this time on the Properties .
In the Properties you can view the connections of the video card mounted on the PC in order to understand which type of speaker corresponds to each color.
In these properties, the improvements tab is important, to activate the equalizer and the environmental correction.
In the Advanced tab you can instead select the audio format, i.e. the quality of the sounds and music .
Usually, in case of listening problems or even in case of PC crash caused by the sound card, these improvements are the fault and it is always a good idea to disable them all and set the CD quality 16 bit 44100 Hz, which is the minimum .
In Windows 10 you can also try the Space Audio options for headphones
READ ALSO: Solve Audio and Video problems on Windows PC
Obviously, for listening to music on the computer there are programs that can optimize the sound with different equalization presets based on the type of music.
I refer to the article on programs to listen to music on your PC to find the best ones to download (such as AIMP or MusicBee).
