Author Topic: PC Audio Enhancers (Read 74,727 times)

Nzyme · « **on:** February 15, 2014, 03:11 PM »

I decided to start a thread that lists all possible audio enhancers for PC (Windows). Please feel free to include any missing software.

1. DPS Plug-in:

http://dpsplugin.com/home/trial.php

Nzyme · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2014, 03:12 PM »

2. DFX Audio Enhancer:

http://www.fxsound.com/dfx/download.php

Nzyme · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2014, 03:13 PM »

3. SRS Audio Essentials:

http://www.dts.com/audioessentials/

Nzyme · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2014, 03:14 PM »

4. Hear:

http://www.prosofteng.com/products/hear_sysreq.php

Nzyme · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2014, 03:15 PM »

5. Breakaway Audio Enhancer:

http://www.claessonedwards.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=135

Nzyme · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2014, 03:23 PM »

6. SoundPimp:

http://www.soundpimp.com/pc-stereo-audio-enhancer-demo2/

Nzyme · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2014, 03:35 PM »

7. ProfoundSound CSharp:

http://www.profoundsoundaudio.com/products.html

tsaint · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2014, 08:12 AM »

Thanks Nzyme, useful to me. Do you have a preference or recommendation ... most of the reviews I've googled are self serving.
Tony

Nzyme · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2014, 12:48 PM »

Quote from: tsaint on February 16, 2014, 08:12 AM

Thanks Nzyme, useful to me. Do you have a preference or recommendation ... most of the reviews I've googled are self serving.
Tony

I personally used DPS and found it to amplify all frequencies (including noise) but overall it was good. You even have the profile browser in it.

Shades · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2014, 03:21 PM »

From the ones I heard, I liked Soundpimp the best. However it comes at a cost of 52 USD last time I checked.

DFX is also good, this one I am currently trialling. This one is a lot cheaper and its a simple interface works for me.

Now if you have lots of time and money on your hands: www.audiomulch.com

More time than money? Try these: Sound amplification (superuser.com) scroll a bit down for the post that is marked as the answer. This post contains links to a website with very interesting software and commercial virtual cable software. You could use this free/donationware alternative virtual cable software.

nosh · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2014, 06:46 PM »

I can vouch for DFX. It worked brilliantly with a Gigabyte mobo onboard soundcard.

dantheman · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2014, 01:58 AM »

SRS came with the LG laptop i have (which is good), wonder how it compares to DFX?
Would a trial installation of DFX come into conflict with SRS?

questorfla · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2014, 05:36 AM »

I was looking for a way to use my laptop connected to my home audio amp which can input for 7.1 sound but outputs on a laptop were limited to a single left and a right. Even when I tried the DVI audio same setup. I finally ran across a gadget on Amazon that seemed to get pretty high ratings and was priced so low I figured it had to be worthless but I bought it anyway. $36 I think. Model NBA200U although I think that several similar units may all be made from the same design by a single company in Taiwan and sold under different names.

While sound is always a very subjective thing, I have to say that it installed with Zero problems, I like the software Interface for PC/Windows environments, and the outputs were exactly what I needed for the 7.1 audio inputs on my amp.

The end result audio even coming from Pandora was better than what I had been hearing from a desktop PC with a Turtle Beach Sound Card in it. Plus it took up a fraction of the space. The laptop was almost a freebie since the screen was broken but it works fine on the 36" LCD that the desktop was using.

I was hoping that the USB would be used in some way to provide additional audio info to the processor chip in the unit but I think it is there for Power Only. Still, I have to say I am satisfied with the results.

If any one else has had any experience with these external soundcards I would love to be able to do more if it could be done. But even this Inexpensive Convertor gave my Subwoofer vibes that can shake the walls with clear bass output from my Asus laptop and the surround-sound sure seems to be real.

tsaint · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2014, 06:24 AM »

Thanks for the info from everyone, right or wrong I went for dfx (a discount helped me decide)

Nzyme · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2014, 03:26 PM »

All, if you want to test out a particular program above (or for the matter of fact any program in the world

), I would strongly recommend "Reboot Restore Rx". This program takes a snapshot of your drive & you can then install any shareware program, check it out & if you are not happy or want to use it again (after the trial expires), you just have to restart your PC & Reboot Restore Rx rolls back to the saved state (how your system was at the time the snapshot was taken).

Windows native System Restore only restores system settings whereas Reboot Restore Rx does a 100% (bit to bit) backup & does not use much space. I personally love this.

Nzyme · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2014, 03:39 PM »

BTW, I tried SRS yesterday & it sucked. The audio coming out naturally without any enhancer sounded better & louder than with SRS.

Most of the enhancers do this. First reduce the quality of the audio & then when you switch on the program, it just raises the quality up a little. The natural audio seems to be better than the "enhanced" audio.

Curt · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2014, 04:16 PM »

Quote from: Shades on February 16, 2014, 03:21 PM

From the ones I heard, I liked Soundpimp the best. However it comes at a cost of 52 USD last time I checked. DFX is also good, this one I am currently trialling. This one is a lot cheaper and its a simple interface works for me. Now if you have lots of time and money on your hands: www.audiomulch.com More time than money? Try these: Sound amplification (superuser.com) scroll a bit down for the post that is marked as the answer. This post contains links to a website with very interesting software and commercial virtual cable software. You could use this free/donationware alternative virtual cable software.

^wow, Shades, your answer is really thorough!
Especially the superuser answer "13" is a must read

Nzyme · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2014, 04:18 PM »

8. AstoundSound Expander:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Plugins/AstoundStereo-Expander.shtml

dantheman · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2014, 07:43 PM »

Nice! Buy link leads here:

The following products you are attempting to purchase are no longer sold through our service, or are in the process of being setup for ordering.
Below is the last known contact information regarding the products. You may want to visit the developer's website or write an email for updated info on purchasing.
AstoundSound Expander for Windows
Homepage: http://www.astoundsound.net/buy.php
Email: support@genaudioinc.com
https://shopper.mycommerce.com/checkout/cart/new/18194-4?quantity=1&styleid=10561&affiliate=22260

Are they in transition period?

Curt · « **Reply #19 on:** December 22, 2014, 12:47 AM »

Site: http://www.astoundholdings.com/technology.php

-but private people are not their target:

Quote

The AstoundSound technology is embedded within your Gaming or CE products, providing an amazing, true-to-life sound experience for your customers.

dantheman · « **Reply #20 on:** December 22, 2014, 02:10 PM »

I understand, but Nzyme's link leads to Softpedia, so i got the impression that it's for the general public.
BTW, do you think Linux can have one just as good as DFX?

Curt · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2014, 06:15 PM »

I too am a fan of DFX - but I know NOTHING about Linux:
http://alternativeto.net/software/dfx-audio-enhancer/?platform=linux

SOUNDPIMP for Windows, Mac, Linux.
http://www.soundpimp.com/computer-audio-enhancer-buy-now/

dantheman · « **Reply #22 on:** December 22, 2014, 07:54 PM »

Thanks Curt!

Did search the web in the meantime and found more to have been lookin' for that too, but to no avail.

BTW, did notice a DFX Christmas special expiring soon.

honow42 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 06, 2016, 09:56 AM »

9. ViPER ACOUSTIC:

http://vipersaudio.com/index.html
Download: http://vipersaudio.com/swupdate/viper4windows/V4W_Setup.zip

honow42 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 06, 2016, 09:58 AM »

10. Razer surround:

http://www.razerzone.com/surround