Can anyone clear this up for me?

Cowuuube · 8 Mar 2008 at 21:01

I heard recently (cant remember where though, maybe a podcast) that for best quality I should have the volume on my sound card at max (so windows volume) and control the volume on my speakers instead.

Is this true at all?

Mansize_tissue · 9 Mar 2008 at 00:02

That's what I've been told, yes.

Reality|Bites · 9 Mar 2008 at 00:46

I've always found my speakers sound better when they are turned up using the volume dial rather than using the windows software.

Must be due to increasing the power or something.

OCdude · 9 Mar 2008 at 13:41

That's a good question actually haha

I've always wondered that, seeing as i seem to have about 100000 different places to adjust the volume on my PC :S

TriedandTested · 9 Mar 2008 at 22:07

I always leave volume on XP at half, then crank up the speakers on the dial.

Greenlizard0 · 10 Mar 2008 at 02:34

I have always put the application at 90%, windows at 90% and then adjust the headphone amp..

MikeHunt79 · 10 Mar 2008 at 03:05

Have it at full volume, the windows sound mixer only makes things worse as you lose resolution when you lower the volume.

For best quality, you can bypass the windows sound mixer completely using ASIO and some soundcards.

Here's what I do:

Foobar (ASIO)> Emu1212m(ASIO set to direct out) > Alps 4gang-pot > Balanced Headphone amp > HD580's.

If you have crap speakers tho this isn't really worth worrying about.... I use the windows mixer when I have it playing thru some random speakers, as my speakers amp has no volume control.