XPS 8960, better sound with more bass?

Question

Just got this PC two weeks ago. I am trying to have a good sound from my headphones. In my previous Dell T5810, I had a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy FX, with good sound.

My speaker system.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007PXV2KM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In the System Information, this XPS has:

1. Realtek Audio

2. NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (Wave Extensible) (WDM)

3. NVIDIA High Definition Audio

Which is which?

I thought I would just plug in the speaker or headphones and enjoy the sound. It is not what I expect. I plugged in the little about $6USB "Sound Card", and get better sound than what this PC came with. Dell support asked me to try the Waves|MaxxAudio Pro. It has too many settings.

How can I achieve a better sound with more BASS? Any links to help me out?

Cheers

redxps630 · Answer

Onboard audio is Realtek Audio the nvidia audio is for hdmi audio carried in discrete video card HDMI port.

redxps630 · Answer

The following table lists the audio specifications of your XPS 8960.

Table 1. Audio specifications

Audio type	Integrated 7.1 channel audio
Audio controller	Realtek ALC1220
Internal audio interface	High definition audio interface
External audio interface	7.1 audio 6-connector stack of retaskable audio ports Rear L/R surround port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack Side L/R surround port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack Front L/R surround line-out port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack Center/subwoofer LFE surround port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack Microphone port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack Line-in port - 3.5 mm, 6 stack Headset port - 3.5 mm Universal audio jack

redxps630 · Answer

XPS is not a high end audio system. For serious sound production add a good PCIe creative sound card.

https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Internal-Performance-Headphone/dp/B09R1GWX8W/ref=asc_df_B09R1GWX8W/?

RoHe · Answer

You have to set up Waves correctly...

Make sure Waves loads automatically at every boot. Waves should be enabled on Startup tab in Task Manager.
Power PC off normally and disconnect all speakers
Boot PC to desktop
Plug in front left/right speakers into correct audio ports on rear of PC
Wait for Waves to pop up and ask what you connected. Choose best option from the drop-down menu
If you have rear left/right speakers plug them in next and see if Waves asks...
Plug in subwoofer last and see if Waves asks...

When all speakers are connected, open Waves Control Panel ("W" icon on taskbar). Click Playback box on top left. Playback screen looks like this on my XPS 8930, but may look different on XPS 8960 with newer version of Waves.

Move the slider to right to turn the Equalizer on. Assuming Waves has speakers identified correctly at near center/bottom of the screen, click the ?, left of Equalizer slider you turned on, to see what all the controls do.

You can select the type of music and use the knobs to adjust settings to your liking. Once you have it set the way you want, save the profile by clicking the disc icon. Use a new name, not one of the Waves default settings names.

You can configure and save as many different profiles as you want, each with a new name. Last one used will be the one Waves loads automatically when you boot PC, but you can always open the control panel and select a different profile.

bradthetechnut · Answer

If you're using Windows Media Player or another player with an equalizer, you make need to set the equalizer there as well.

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XPS 8960, better sound with more bass?

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