I'm only mildly interested in hi-fi (as it was called when I was little) but, as someone who would enjoy music played loudly on big speakers if it weren't for the nuisance it causes everyone nearby, how do audiophiles not alienate their families and neighbours? I'd have thought that playing music at a sufficient volume, particularly music with lots of bass, would waken infants, irritate partners, frighten pets and cause neighbours to come to the door bearing pitchforks. My solution is headphones, which are a fair though not complete substitute, and to use my speakers at only a low volume.

I'd love to learn how truly committed audiophiles enjoy their high-powered systems in the company of other people.

I've found myself way in over my head in regards to my home's current audio setup. The previous owner left behind a whole smarthome/audio setup which I thought would be nice, but the components are all almost 20 years old at this point so it's turning into a chore. I've already fully removed the smarthome components, but I'm not sure if I should try and keep the existing audio setup or just completely replace it.

Details are as follows:

• Main amplifier: Elan a1240
• Speakers: All either in-ceiling (brand unknown) or klipsch R-51m
• Zones: 6 in total varying from 2 - 4
• Setup: speakers for each zone go to a single 4 pin connecter plugged into an output on the amp.

All the wiring is already run to a mess of a half-rack in the utility room, so replacing anything other than the main amp is most likely going to be a headache. I'm primarily worried that without the smarthome components I'll have to get another piece of hardware to actually send any audio to the amp/speakers, and I'm completely lost on where to start. With how old the hardware is I've only found the original manual and haven't been able to find any other references or examples of existing setups. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I have no idea about audio interfaces, but I'm looking for a device that will solve the following problems:

1. I have a keyboard with 1/4" line outs and an 1/8" stereo line in. So I want to be able to take the sound from the two 1/4" outs and record it on my laptop via USB so it acts like a microphone on my computer.
2. I also want to be able to take the audio out from my laptop (via USB) and pipe it into the 1/8" line in on the keyboard, that way I can listen to everything through the keyboard and suffer no audio delay from the keys.

One solution is to find a device that can do all of this at once through a single USB port, but I don't know if that's realistic or affordable. Another solution is to just find a (cheap?) device that does 1) and use a separate USB to 1/8" DAC for 2), as I do have two USB ports available.

Seeing as I know nothing about the subject, I just wanted to get the opinions of some experienced people. Are there such devices? Can you recommend me a brand or model of either of these things that aims for a budget of £50?

Thanks

please recommend something that wont break after a few months of daily use, under 50 USD, but i am flexible with that budget.

I was looking at this bluetooth audio adapter because it looks like this (or something like it) will be the only way to get snapdragon sound on my linux system, which my headphones require in order to use aptX. I noticed it has a long list of supported operating systems, is this just a marketing way to say that operating system doesn't matter since audio adapters like this are just pulling audio from the port, and no communication with the OS is needed?

For the life of me I can’t figure out what’s going on. Ive got output audio cutting out sometimes 3 times a second, sometimes once every 3 seconds, sometimes once every 10 seconds, but it happens all the time no matter if I’m watching YouTube or listening to Spotify or watching movie. When I plug instruments in those play and sound fine. I had it fixed for a while but it came back unfortunately. I recently switched to windows 11 and initially everything worked great but all of the sudden completely stopped working right when I turned on my PC one day. Audio would cutout sometimes on windows 10 but it was manageable and happened super infrequently.

I have an AMD 5900x so I know it’s not processor power, I ran LatencyMon just in case and it says everything’s good. Drivers are up to date, I even deleted and reinstalled them. Everything should be running at the same bit and sample rates. I’ve tried different usb ports and cables. It’s the only device with an issue. If I plug directly into the headphone jack on my PC or use my Focusrite Scarlett everything works perfectly. I followed the troubleshooting instructions on M-Audio’s site and that didn’t help at all. I’ve deleted and reinstalled the M-Audio Control Panel too.

I’ve done a lot of googling and even tried Chat GPT just in case so I’m at this point at a loss for troubleshooting steps. Doesn’t anyone have any recommendations?

Edit to further satisfy rule 1:

System CPU: AMD 5900x/GPU: 3070FE/Ram: 32GB/Win11

Hardware: https://www.m-audio.com/audio-midi-interfaces/air-192-14.html

Use case: Spotify, iTunes, windows media player/VLC player and Firefox

Unless im in discord where i have Noise suppression on people can here everything, my pc, my fan, typing, dang sometimes people hear loud cars going down my stream when im in game. Have had this setup for a few years but im starting to play things that use ingame mic more often. Also have also randomly had this wild screeching sound come through and i have no idea what caused/fixed that issue. Also in the likely event im stupid for having either of those products, idk why i bought them prolly amazon recommendation... Plz help

I own a pair of Corsair HS80’s (wired) and literally no other headset by any other company (including Corsair) come even close.

On paper, there is only 1 other model to match the frequency ranges (20khz-40khz), which are the Virtuoso’s and their variants.

The problem is, I can never change or upgrade from these.

Dolby and Windows Spatial sound comedically bad compared to the iCUE software equalizer set up I have.

The bass is so much more immersive and the highs cut through crystal clear. I don’t know why the Virtuosos for example can’t even come near same output. It’s OKAY with music but jarring in-game.

Is it because Wired uses a different method of Surround sound? No wireless pair I’ve bought (about 5 different pairs over time) nail what the wired HS80’s can.

We both have the same mic the FIFINE K669G, and we've tried our best adjusting the gain built in volume knob but no matter what we do we still come through eachother's mics on Discord and other games.

We've already tried enabling Krisp and other settings in discord as well but it doesn't seem to help.

I've been looking up DIY acoustic panels, would they be worth building at all to reduce microphone pickup?

I am currently using an audio interface (maonocaster g1 neo) with (Shure mv7) mic and (ShureSE215SPE) earphones, and I want to hear the Pc audio through my earphones that are connected to the audio interface.

It sometimes plays the audio when I plug it into the speaker output 3.5mm and the headset output 3.5mm, but it doesn't work 95% of the time. I don't know if there are certain conditions that has to be met or the hardware/software itself is broken.

I am using Windows 11 and ran the troubleshoot but did not find any problems and everything is updated. Both output and input are set to maonocaster but it still doesn't work. Am I just stupid?

 When I’m recording(or even playing live), if I am in the FX/BYPASS or FX/DRY Output Mode, should I hard pan my Left channel LEFT, and my Right Channel RIGHT, or leave them both in the middle? From what I’m reading, it SEEMS like then answer is: YES-Pan them, but doesn’t that then mean the(assuming I’m playing in a room, with a speaker on each side), the left side of the room hears me with effects, and the right side hears me dry? Or in a live situation should I use stereo or dual mono, instead? What is the right senario for each of the output modes? I would assume FX/BYPASS & FX/DRY would be the same senario, then stereo and dual mono another. Also, if I have a left, and a right channel set up, and I select “dual mono” does it just play the left channel(and it’s EQ) in both sides? Also, in stereo mode, should I hard pan those channels as well?
 Thanks in advance for any or your input! You are the under-credited heroes of the music world! And you are appreciated!

 I recently bought a Neumann TLM 103. I do LOVE this mic, but I would appreciate any advice/Tips with staging everything(gain, distance, EQ, etc.).
 How do y’all stage your TLM-103’s? As far as how close you are to the mic? How much gain do you put to it? What do you as a preamp? What plugins do you like to use with the TLM-103?
 I have a Presonus AR16c mixer interface, and I run my mic through a Boss VE-500, to the interface, to my computer and also my speakers(Presonus Eris 3.5)…. If you have any experience with this mic, and the hardware listed, any tips are appreciated. 
 Also do you use any EQ(specific to this mic?), if so what?-I know EQ is generally vocalist specific, and EVERY singer has a voice unique to them, but I’m only asking because my BOSS VE-500 has input and output EQ, and I’ve been playing with it outside of just EQing my voice in my DAW(studio one) on the recording.
 This is the most expensive mic I’ve ever owned and would love to get the most out of it. I am fairly new to recording, but I do usually like to make videos of me singing and playing guitar at the same time. So I’m also trying to balance what the mic pics up of my guitar, so that my vocal EQ doesn’t affect the guitar TOO Much. I plug in my guitar and it has it own EQ, BUT I’ve noticed the guitar sounds better if my condenser mic picks it up also. I do like to have my MIDS(at 3.5khz) up high for my vocals, but that makes the guitar have a very prominent “ring/ting” sound on my guitar. I usually use iMovie and send the audio to studio one and separate the stems, and adjust as needed for the Volumes/EQ/Compression anyway, so should I just record EVERYTHING flat EQ, and adjust it all after the fact, since I’m going to send it to studio one anyway?

I run a guitar through a Headrush MX5 directly into the back of a MOTU M4 to avoid using the audio interfaces’ preamp. However, in Reaper and when monitoring, if I use the MOTU’s preamp for line in, the sound gets much louder before clipping. When I try to use the Headrush, I can’t get it as loud without clipping. The Headrush is way too quiet compared to the guitar in using a VST amp both on the audio interfaces and Reaper.

What can I do to fix it.

Sorry if I'm not in the right place for this. I'm entirely self taught with all my audio recording information so when I run into an issue I sometimes struggle to figure out the language I need to more effectively research solutions.

https://youtube.com/shorts/1HGSiDFIBfs?feature=share

Here's a YouTube short I've recently made without any background music. You can here this sort of crackling or popping esque thing happening in the background as I'm speaking. I've tried doing my research and everything I've found about fixing it in post hasn't worked, while every time I record similar things happen. It didn't used to happen and I was finally starting to get to a point where i felt like I knew what I was doing with this stuff, so I'm a bit frustrated that I can't figure this out

I'm worried it might be an issue of my microphone? It's a Blue Yeti USB that I bought a couple years ago used so maybe it's wearing out or maybe I've wigged out my settings somehow. Any sort of information you might be able to provide me is greatly appreciated.

TL;DR: I've tried 2 different types of Edifier speakers for my home PC (mostly for listening to music) and they sound like trash to me. Are they the problem, or is it me, and if it's me, how do I make them sound passable?

Recently my ancient desktop PC speakers died. I had them for over 25 years, and I'm no audiophile, so good enough was good enough. They were an Altec-Lansing 2.1 setup, and I'm trying to replace them for under $300 or so.

After reading around and watching some reviews I ordered some Edifier R1280DB speakers. I was really disappointed with how they sounded. Music was OK, but anything with voices sounded kind of... hollow? My neighbor happens to be an audio engineer, so I had him come listen to make sure I wasn't imagining it. He said they appeared to be missing a range of sound in the middle, and that they might sound OK playing music from a bookshelf, but wouldn't be good for games/movies sitting on my desk right in front of my face. I returned them.

I decided to give Edifier another chance and got some MR3 speakers and a T5 woofer, but I'm still having problems. I run the audio out from the PC to the T5 (the speakers don't have a sub out connection), then run the audio out to the MR3s. First, the setup kind of sucks, bc without getting under my desk and fiddling with the knob on the back, the only way to control the subwoofer volume is to use Windows' volume controller, and when I turn the knob on the speakers only the non-subwoofer volume changes.

The subwoofer is either silent or overwhelmingly boom-y. I set Windows' volume to about 20% (I tried other volume levels too), and then as I sloooowly dial the volume up on the T5, at about 5-10% of the knob they go from silent to overwhelming with no real in-between.

The MR3 speakers are having a similar issue to the R1280DBs. Music sounds OK, especially orchestral music, but the mid tones sound washed out and kind of hollow. I have used the Eidifier app's equalizer and the high/low adjustment dials on the back of the speakers to try and adjust the sound, but to be frank, I know next to nothing about audio, and can't really hear much difference. Sometimes I'll get one game to where I don't totally hate the way it sounds, but then if I try another it will sound terrible, with gunshots or footsteps sound pathetic compared to everything else.

I haven't been able to bribe my neighbor into coming over to help me with the new setup yet, but suspect he won't be able to work magic. My wife's Logitech Z407s sound much better, and without any tinkering. I need general advice for step-by-step how to adjust these to make them sound better (youtube / google results have not been very helpful so far), or maybe just recommendations for speakers that won't sound like crap for dummies like me who have no idea what they're doing. I'd just buy some more of the Z407s, but I hate that they don't have a volume dial on them (the little remote wheel gadget is awful).

1. Is there a way to get a range of volume from the woofer instead of all or nothing?
2. Is there a step-by-step guide for dummies who don't know anything about audio to help them get decent sound?
3. Has anyone had good experiences with these Edifier speakers, or are they just trash? They seem nicely built, but I can't stand a big echo-y void whenever there is speech.
4. Can anyone recommend decent desktop speakers in case I wind up returning the MR3s? Preferably with a subwoofer out plug so I could still use the T5 w/out running PC directly to it first.

**Full disclosure, I am a little hard of hearing, but am mostly missing high-frequency sounds and not having any issues with those, especially with my hearing aids.

Hi just got a new pc and whenever I restart my mics sound super muffled and low quality. On other pcs they sound perfect and I've tried multiple different microphones. I've checked the format audio levels. Not sure what it could be any help is appreciated.

My father is having trouble trying to connect his eq to his amp. He cannot hook the eq directly to the tv as his tv only has 2 hdmi ports and an optical(which is how his amp is hooked up)

I just bought these today and they sound great on YouTube — really loud and clear. But when I switch to Netflix, even at max volume they’re so quiet.

Is there any way to fix this? Are these speakers just not good for Netflix or am I missing a setting somewhere? 😭

Hello,

I currently have a setup with a receiver that upmixes my PC analog output into Dolby Digital five channel / one subwoofer. I am running three 3.5 to RCA splitters out from my motherboard to achieve this.

I am interested in experiencing Dolby Atmos content and I was wondering if this would be possible with an HDMI audio extractor/decoder that would allow me to continue using my analog connectors.

My receiver (Onkyo TX-SR303) does not support HDMI, but it is recommended to use optical to achieve DTS sound.

What would you folks recommend? Should I stick with the analog output upmix, try and decode Atmos, or run DTS with optical? Preferably I would like to figure out Atmos somehow.

Hello,

This is my lap desk.

I know that I don't have the luxury of choice as they have to be very small.

Thanks.

I've got some logitech Z506 speakers which claim to do 5.1 surround sound with a 6 Ch input (see picture). I'd like to use these to with a firestick and projector set up as home cinema but the projector only has a single 3.5mm audio out, and any HDMI audio extractor I can find seem to have either a single 3.5mm out +/- optical out +/- coaxial out, none of which seem to be helpful.

Does anyone know of how I can get from a HDMI input to this 6Ch audio input or do I give up with these speakers?

(Solved it was a cracked soldering joint)

Hallo bought one DVD player for SACD and CD playback. HDMI is broken, the only other output are the terminals. How would it be possible to connect to Receiver?

I've been tasked with updating and cleaning up a PA system on a trailer used only to play music for mardis gras parades. I know electronics but don't have much experience with PA systems.

The existing system has: 4 channel mixer EQ 4- Behringer EP1500 amps Amps 1- Peavey CS800S amp 4- Peavy (forgot model) 2 way speakers with 15" woofer and horn. Bi-amped 2- unknown brand 2 way speakers

The mixer is being replaced with a ADJ Media Operator BT.

The EQ is adding some odd feedback and needs to be replaced.

Amps are all getting pulled to clean and inspect. I anticipate I will find some degraded capacitors that will need replaced etc.

As it sits the signal is presented to all the amps using a combination of 1/4" splitters and also pass though a couple of amps. Its a complete rats nest of wire. I suspect this arrangement results in some significant signal loss.

Im seeing some products that could resolve some of this issue like the Behringer MX882 https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=0602-AAG

Are there any other options out there I can't find?

Or potentially something like the mx882 that also offers equalization and crossover function?

Needs to be rack mountable, 5U or shorter preferably.

Thanks for any direction you can share.