How to Test and Adjust Your PC Audio System

Install an app like PassMark SoundCheck to test your sound card, speakers, and mic

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There's more to having a perfect PC sound system than buying the latest 5.1 surround sound audio system or the most sophisticated sound card. You must maintain that audio system and set it up correctly.

When you set it up, make sure the speakers are placed and adjusted correctly, the volume for each satellite speaker is appropriate for where it sits, and the bass and treble are in line and concert with each other. You'll also need to choose the proper settings for each type of media you hope to experience, including music, movies, video games, and anything else you do.

These tips apply to computers running Windows 11, Windows 10, and older Windows operating systems.

Software to Test and Adjust Your PC Audio

The most effective tools for ordinary audio calibration are simple software programs. PassMark SoundCheck is one example of a free audio testing app for Windows that supports lots of helpful features. It'll display a real time waveform, will test the range of your speakers, includes a pink noise generator, and supports sample rates ranging from 5,000Hz to 128,000Hz.

SoundCheck's Create test tones screen

More complex tools include spectrum analyzers and sensitive mics that capture a series of tones and then process those tones for interference and quality. However, these tools usually cost thousands of dollars and are used by audio engineers aiming for studio-quality recording or large-space audio reproduction.

Simple Volume Calibration

To get a better sense of the decibel rating of your speakers at various settings, when those settings express as a percent of maximum loudness rather than a specific decibel rating, consider downloading a decibel meter to your smartphone.

Stand six feet away from the speakers, set the speakers at a specific volume, generate a constant tone, and check the meter for the amount of increase above the baseline. The Sound Meter Android app and the Decibel iOS app are two examples of how you can do this.

This approach isn't perfect, but for most home applications, it's an easy and adequate substitute for professional-grade calibration.

When the Audio Doesn't Work at All

If you're testing your computer audio because it doesn't work, there could be a lot at play. From updating drivers and adjusting the physical connections to simply toggling off the mute switch, there are several ways to fix a computer with no sound.

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