Why is volume in windows 11 so low and tinny???

Hello, I just purchased an HP Windows 11 laptop today AND I already HATE IT after only four hours. I purchased it specifically to listen to my music library and the headphone volume is extremely low even though it's on volume 100 in the system and in MusicBee, and the Windows Media Player, there's no sound at all. I like my music super LOUD and my Windows 10 laptop BLASTS the sound perfectly. This stupid machine, I've tried everything I can think of to raise the volume, even installed various volume boosters - which don't even open up - played with the equalizer, and tried five different sets of headphones - all sound like a tin can. What can I do about this before I give up and return it?? Thank you!

Use an external amplifier.

If you like your music Super Loud, you won't get that with laptop speakers.

But FxSound may help.

Rollback_Jockey said:

Use an external amplifier.

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Stigg said:

FxSound | Boost Your Sound Experience Now

Enhance your Windows audio experience with FxSound's free, open-source software for superior sound quality, volume, and bass customization. Perfect for music, gaming, and transcriptions.

www.fxsound.com

Click to expand...

Tried this and it would not even open up. I've decided to return it. Thanks!

keithareeves said:

Tried this and it would not even open up. I've decided to return it. Thanks!

Click to expand...

If you can't execute the FxSound installer, then I'd be concerned about why that is.

I sympathize with you and I hear you. If you're a real audiophile I'd recommend using a DAC and dual booting to X-Lite if you can. You're almost better off with an older PC because the junk they come out with these days is hardly worth the trouble IMO. You're almost always better off buying used, running X-Lite, skipping the exploitative Win 11 compliance game and showing Win Co-Pilot the EXIT door —— especially with the current RAM and NVMe prices. All those pre-build companies are gonna charge outrageous prices for their new stuff now. Seriously. It isn't worth it.

Sadly volume normalization is mandatory in some products, especially in EU, to prevent ear damage.

1. Windows likes to control volume, not just in communications, but it is hidden.
2. Soundcard settings and features can affect volume.
3. Some apps allow to Normalize or Boost volume.



I am lucky that my headphones allow to boost volume independently, I guess smart speakers can not it.

P.S. I always bought an external audio for a laptop, because it was hardly sufficient with the low power output.

It could maybe be a sound driver issue? Maybe try checking if there are any driver updates for your system.

Same problem, I solved it by buying a little DAC/AMP dongle from aliexpress.com.
I highly recommend the JCALLY JM20 MAX, approx. $20. If you need microphone support (good for gaming headsets, phone calls, Discord, etc.), buy the JCALLY JM20 PRO.

Test: JCALLY JM20 MAX