USB headset - very low volume?

[asmb]

Hello,
I used HyperX Cloud II wired. Some days ago I bought HyperX Cloud III Wireless but I found sound is very quiet so I returned it and today I bought HyperX Cloud II Core Wireless. Unfortunately sound in games isvery quiet too..

I have installed HyperX Ngeunity, volume is 100% there. Also volume is 100% in windows and in games.
I connected old wired HyperX Cloud II again and volume is better (with wired it's like 200%, with wireless like 50% level).

I thought it's because of wireless so I bought the same model as I have (just newer) HyperX Cloud II Wired. Same result. Volume in games is very low / quiet.

If I run Spotify or Youtube or something in Windows, sound is loud and it's great. Seems like only in games sound is quiet.

Windows 11, MB ASUS Prime Z690-P

Any idea what can I do please?
As I wrote, with old headset (connected to USB too) volume is great in games. With newer headsets connected to USB volume is very low in games only.

Thank you

[denn73]

The headphones aren't the problem. That motherboard uses the Realtek ALC897 audio codec. Searching the Web for 'Realtek ALC897 low volume' gives plenty of results.

Have you installed the Realtek Audio Console (or Realtek Audio Manager) and tried changing the amplify level? If you haven't already, you can try enabling audio enhancements in Windows 11 (System > Sound > Properties): Right click on speaker icon in system tray -> select Sound settings -> click on Headphones -> audio enhancements will be listed on the Advanced settings section.

[Recklessthor4]

This, plus even a small DAC might help.

[asmb]

Thank you @denn73 . I already had enabled audio enhancements in Windows 11. In Realtek Audio Control have Speakers and Realtek Digital Output only. Don't see my headphones there.

As I wrote, audio level is great in windows (chrome, spotify, VLC etc..). Volume level is low in games only..

Don't understand how it's possible because didn't have this kind of problem with old headset from the same brand

EDIT: I fixed it. Downloaded FXSound from MS Store and enabled it for headphones. Audio volume is now great.

[denn73]

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@asmb wrote:

Thank you @denn73 . I already had enabled audio enhancements in Windows 11. In Realtek Audio Control have Speakers and Realtek Digital Output only. Don't see my headphones there.

As I wrote, audio level is great in windows (chrome, spotify, VLC etc..). Volume level is low in games only..

Don't understand how it's possible because didn't have this kind of problem with old headset from the same brand

EDIT: I fixed it. Downloaded FXSound from MS Store and enabled it for headphones. Audio volume is now great.

---

The Realtek Audio Console GUI will indicate speakers when you're connected to the line out on the motherboard rear I/O panel, and will indicate as a headphones connection when plugged in to the case's front I/O panel. Either way, speakers or headphones, there are controls to adjust the amplify level.

My next suggestion was try installing DFX Audio Enhancer software -- FxSound is their rebranded name.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @asmb 

Thank you for reaching out to us and for the update indicating that adjusting software settings resolved the issue.
Typically, if volume issues arise specifically within a certain game, it may be due to compatibility between the game and the audio driver or certain software settings.
In addition to confirming you have the latest drivers available on the PRIME Z690-P support page, we recommend checking within the game if there are headphone or stereo mode settings that can be adjusted.
Alternatively, you might also adjust settings using any dedicated software provided by your headphone manufacturer as part of your approach.

Thank you.

[achugh]

Hi @asmb my guess is that your issue is related to the audio conversion from multi-channel sound to stereo. Games have lot of surround sound these days. When you are listening this sound in your headphones, this sound needs to be converted into stereo sound.

For whatever reason due to your setup this conversion was not happening previously. FX Sound fixed that because I believe it is a Stereo Sound application based on what I have briefly read. So it is now doing the conversion to stereo sound for you which is helping you hear the game sound properly.

You are able to hear all other sounds properly that you mentioned because all those sound sources are stereo already and do not require any conversion.

FYI, you did not mention what version of Windows are you using? If you did a fresh clean Windows 24H2 installation, Microsoft has officially removed the AC3 Decoder (a multi-channel sound decoding software). You can read more about it at https://support.microsoft.com/windows/d5c2cdcd-83a2-4805-abb0-c6888138e456 which could be the reason for your issues in case you were playing games with Dolby Atmos sound in them. The recommended solution here is to install the FREE Dolby Digital Plus Decoder app from the Microsoft App Store. On the other hand, if you upgraded Windows to 24H2 then this issue does not happen as the upgrade preserves this decoder and other things which were included in the previous versions of Windows.

I hope this information helps you understand what may have caused your issue and why it got resolved.