Vista - Windows Vista Volume doesn't go higher than 50...please help

Hi guys,

I'm having some problem with my audio. I have 2 regular speakers. I just bought a new computer (Vista Home Premium installed) and using the same 2 speakers that I had on XP.


Default setting is at 2.1. (I understand that means you have 3 speakers but I only have 2) and there's no setting for "Stereo". And the problem is that the audio doesn't go higher than 50 and the volume is VERY low. I tried so many different forums and couldn't find any results. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

Hi amethystlocke and welcome to Vista Forums

Could you please tell us more details about your computer, specifically the make and model number.

My new computer is Compaq Presario SR5710F.

Side note: These speakers work just fine on my old computer which I just tried out and the volume goes back up to 100. When I plug them back on Vista, it can only go to 50 and sounds extremely low. So basically watching DVDs is useless with sound this low. Should I get new speakers better made for Vista or this can be fixed?

Hi amethystlocke,

I have just had a look at the specifications and your system uses the Realtek ALC888 Hi Definition audio codec. You need to download and install the latest driver - see http://www.vistax64.com/sound-audio/...er-update.html
When you have installed this driver and restarted your system, you need to change a setting in the Realtek HD Audio Manager. This can be found in the System Tray.

Right click on this item and select Sound Manager.

Select the Sound Effects tab and ensure that the option Loudness Equalization is checked (ticked).

Click OK to close the dialogue panel.

Dwarf,

After following your instructions, here's the result.

Overall sound is louder than before.

I do have to uncheck the Loudness Eq. everytime music is playing for the sound to be loud.

And check the Loudness Eq. everytime a dvd or video is playing for the sound to be loud.

This is no problem as its not really inconvenient.

Thank you so much for taking your time to help me out. Greatly appreciated.

Another thing to try if you haven't is this,



and make sure that the individual levels are the same as the main volume level. For whatever reason it will occasionally not be, one of the reasons for some with a 5.1 speaker setup that the rears are quieter than the rest.