slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

(G{in}[AK)TION] · 2024-12-21 11:29:47

I have noticed that in just about every linux distribution I have used, including Arch Linux, audio quality is poor or slightly muffled. you may nto initially hear it, but compare sound quality between windows, android (on my phone), and linux with your favorite headphones and you will surely hear a difference. therefore, I really am hoping you all understand and help me with this problem because its driving me crazy.

Following articles I read were

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/PipeWire Section 5.1.9

It says to edit these files located in "/etc/pipewire/pipewire-client.conf.d/resample.conf (or ~/.config/pipewire/pipewire-client.conf.d/resample.conf)" but I do not see them. I did try to look for the "resample.quality" in some of the other configuration files I copied over from "/usr/share/pipewire" to "/etc/pipewire" but audio quality is still the same.

I also read this here
https://swaroop-m.medium.com/beginners- … 1de6f35a14

But it seems like its an old guide.

I also did some reading about pulseaudio. and from what I read, it seems straight forward. Just change the "resample.method" to "speex-float-10" or "soxr-vhq" and you will notice a huge difference!

Unfortunately, I have yet to find the dial in the right place to crank up the quality.

EDIT: I forgot to post the specifications of the Arch Linux desktop im using.

Asus Crosshair VII Hero
Ryzen 2700x
16gb DDR4 3200mhz
500gb NVME
Asus Strix Vega64

And here is the sound spefications of the board

https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/ro … odel/spec/

- Sonic Studio III
- Supports up to 32-Bit/192kHz playback *4
ROG SupremeFX8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC S1220
- ESS® ES9023P
- Gold-plated jacks
- Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
- High quality120dBSNR stereo playback outputand113dBSNR recording input
- SupremeFX Shielding Technology
- Sonic Radar III
Audio Feature :
- Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel

Last edited by (G{in}[AK)TION] (2024-12-21 18:17:09)

Head_on_a_Stick · 2024-12-21 11:34:59

All the software decoding algorithms are crap. If you want decent sound use a dedicated hardware processor for audio, preferably with a high quality digital filter and discrete output stage.

Windows probably sounds "better" because it's using some weird EQ shit to fool you.

(G{in}[AK)TION] · 2024-12-21 18:20:27

Updated my post with specifications of the computer.

anyway, I dont think thats the case here with windows. Like the way I see it, Linux is treating the audio chip like windows would treat a video card without drivers. Like nowadays, you can still cahnge the resolution but its not going to take full advantage of the video cards speed and features unless it gets drivers.

I see the same going on with linux here but with sound. I just want to know what I need to do exactly to get pipewire to up the sound quality.

kokoko3k · 2024-12-21 18:27:09

I never noticed any difference between android,windows and arch.
If you do, then maybe android and windows are equalizing the sound somehow.

Assuming that,
the direct answer to your latter question is that as long as you don't know what processing is going on android or windows, there's no way to replicate under arch.

(G{in}[AK)TION] · 2024-12-21 19:26:50

kokoko3k wrote:

I never noticed any difference between android,windows and arch.
If you do, then maybe android and windows are equalizing the sound somehow.
Assuming that,
the direct answer to your latter question is that as long as you don't know what processing is going on android or windows, there's no way to replicate under arch.

There is a link to an article in my first post covering the whole equalizing thing in Windows and Mac. I am trying to simply increase sound quality to get rid of the "muffleness" I hear in the sound.

And the Arch Wiki covers the whole sound quality thing which I also posted a link to as well. I am starting to think that no body read my first post through on through. Which I will forgive.

EDIT: all you have to do is play a song on the windows or android device and then the same song in any linux distro like arch running pipewire and you will beging to hear the difference.

Last edited by (G{in}[AK)TION] (2024-12-22 04:21:08)

V1del · 2024-12-23 13:52:11

You are talking as if what you're experiencing is an universal issue that everyone just magically has a secret fix for.

It's not universal, potential specific to your hardware , maybe even specific to your ears.

Changing the resampler quality should normally have no noticeable impact assuming a proper resampling algo is used - if you even have to resample. What are you playing back, what are the outputs of

pactl list sinks
pactl list sink-inputs

Based on the limited info we have I'd say your best bet is installing easyeffects or so and playing with it's effects

(G{in}[AK)TION] · 2024-12-23 14:22:11

V1del wrote:

You are talking as if what you're experiencing is an universal issue that everyone just magically has a secret fix for.
It's not universal, potential specific to your hardware , maybe even specific to your ears.
Changing the resampler quality should normally have no noticeable impact assuming a proper resampling algo is used - if you even have to resample. What are you playing back, what are the outputs of
pactl list sinks
pactl list sink-inputs
Based on the limited info we have I'd say your best bet is installing easyeffects or so and playing with it's effects

I am confused when you say "basd on the limited info". I posted links covering this. Am I supposed to directly quote what the links are talking about instead? Apologies if I sound mean here, Its difficult to focus when I am in the mist of confusion.

Here is the output you asked for.

[gak@TestBed ~]$ pactl list sinks
Sink #57
	State: SUSPENDED
	Name: alsa_output.pci-0000_0c_00.1.hdmi-stereo-extra4
	Description: Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64] Digital Stereo (HDMI 5)
	Driver: PipeWire
	Sample Specification: s32le 2ch 48000Hz
	Channel Map: front-left,front-right
	Owner Module: 4294967295
	Mute: no
	Volume: front-left: 42594 /  65% / -11.23 dB,   front-right: 42594 /  65% / -11.23 dB
	        balance 0.00
	Base Volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	Monitor Source: alsa_output.pci-0000_0c_00.1.hdmi-stereo-extra4.monitor
	Latency: 0 usec, configured 0 usec
	Flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY SET_FORMATS 
	Properties:
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA ATI HDMI"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.components = "HDA:1002aa01,00aa0100,00100700"
		alsa.device = "10"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		alsa.id = "HDMI 4"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA ATI HDMI at 0xfcca0000 irq 99"
		alsa.mixer_name = "ATI R6xx HDMI"
		alsa.name = "ZOWIE XL LCD"
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.sync.id = "00000000:00000000:00000000:00000000"
		api.alsa.card.longname = "HDA ATI HDMI at 0xfcca0000 irq 99"
		api.alsa.card.name = "HDA ATI HDMI"
		api.alsa.path = "hdmi:0,4"
		api.alsa.pcm.card = "0"
		api.alsa.pcm.stream = "playback"
		audio.channels = "2"
		audio.position = "FL,FR"
		card.profile.device = "18"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		device.id = "49"
		device.profile.description = "Digital Stereo (HDMI 5)"
		device.profile.name = "hdmi-stereo-extra4"
		device.routes = "1"
		factory.name = "api.alsa.pcm.sink"
		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
		device.description = "Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64]"
		node.name = "alsa_output.pci-0000_0c_00.1.hdmi-stereo-extra4"
		node.nick = "ZOWIE XL LCD"
		node.pause-on-idle = "false"
		object.path = "alsa:acp:HDMI:18:playback"
		port.group = "playback"
		priority.driver = "584"
		priority.session = "584"
		factory.id = "19"
		clock.quantum-limit = "8192"
		client.id = "46"
		node.driver = "true"
		node.loop.name = "data-loop.0"
		library.name = "audioconvert/libspa-audioconvert"
		object.id = "57"
		object.serial = "57"
		api.acp.auto-port = "false"
		api.acp.auto-profile = "false"
		api.alsa.card = "0"
		api.alsa.use-acp = "true"
		api.dbus.ReserveDevice1 = "Audio0"
		api.dbus.ReserveDevice1.Priority = "-20"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:0c:00.1"
		device.enum.api = "udev"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-analog-pci"
		device.name = "alsa_card.pci-0000_0c_00.1"
		device.nick = "HDA ATI HDMI"
		device.plugged.usec = "8236253"
		device.product.id = "0xaaf8"
		device.product.name = "Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64]"
		device.subsystem = "sound"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:0a:00.0/0000:0b:00.0/0000:0c:00.1/sound/card0"
		device.vendor.id = "0x1002"
		device.vendor.name = "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI]"
		device.string = "0"
	Ports:
		hdmi-output-4: HDMI / DisplayPort 5 (type: HDMI, priority: 5500, availability group: Legacy 5, available)
	Active Port: hdmi-output-4
	Formats:
		pcm

Sink #58
	State: SUSPENDED
	Name: alsa_output.pci-0000_0e_00.3.analog-stereo
	Description: Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller Analog Stereo
	Driver: PipeWire
	Sample Specification: s32le 2ch 48000Hz
	Channel Map: front-left,front-right
	Owner Module: 4294967295
	Mute: no
	Volume: front-left: 31519 /  48% / -19.07 dB,   front-right: 31519 /  48% / -19.07 dB
	        balance 0.00
	Base Volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	Monitor Source: alsa_output.pci-0000_0e_00.3.analog-stereo.monitor
	Latency: 0 usec, configured 0 usec
	Flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY 
	Properties:
		alsa.card = "1"
		alsa.card_name = "HD-Audio Generic"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.components = "HDA:10ec1220,10438735,00100101"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		alsa.id = "ALC1220 Analog"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HD-Audio Generic at 0xfce00000 irq 101"
		alsa.mixer_name = "Realtek ALC1220"
		alsa.name = "ALC1220 Analog"
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.sync.id = "00000000:00000000:00000000:00000000"
		api.alsa.card.longname = "HD-Audio Generic at 0xfce00000 irq 101"
		api.alsa.card.name = "HD-Audio Generic"
		api.alsa.path = "front:1"
		api.alsa.pcm.card = "1"
		api.alsa.pcm.stream = "playback"
		audio.channels = "2"
		audio.position = "FL,FR"
		card.profile.device = "5"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		device.id = "50"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.routes = "2"
		factory.name = "api.alsa.pcm.sink"
		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
		device.description = "Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller"
		node.name = "alsa_output.pci-0000_0e_00.3.analog-stereo"
		node.nick = "ALC1220 Analog"
		node.pause-on-idle = "false"
		object.path = "alsa:acp:Generic:5:playback"
		port.group = "playback"
		priority.driver = "1009"
		priority.session = "1009"
		factory.id = "19"
		clock.quantum-limit = "8192"
		client.id = "46"
		node.driver = "true"
		node.loop.name = "data-loop.0"
		library.name = "audioconvert/libspa-audioconvert"
		object.id = "33"
		object.serial = "58"
		api.acp.auto-port = "false"
		api.acp.auto-profile = "false"
		api.alsa.card = "1"
		api.alsa.use-acp = "true"
		api.dbus.ReserveDevice1 = "Audio1"
		api.dbus.ReserveDevice1.Priority = "-20"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:0e:00.3"
		device.enum.api = "udev"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-analog-pci"
		device.name = "alsa_card.pci-0000_0e_00.3"
		device.nick = "HD-Audio Generic"
		device.plugged.usec = "8270805"
		device.product.id = "0x1457"
		device.product.name = "Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller"
		device.subsystem = "sound"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:08.1/0000:0e:00.3/sound/card1"
		device.vendor.id = "0x1022"
		device.vendor.name = "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD]"
		device.string = "1"
	Ports:
		analog-output-lineout: Line Out (type: Line, priority: 9000, availability group: Legacy 4, available)
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (type: Headphones, priority: 9900, availability group: Legacy 5, not available)
	Active Port: analog-output-lineout
	Formats:
		pcm
[gak@TestBed ~]$ pactl list sink-inputs
[gak@TestBed ~]$

Last edited by (G{in}[AK)TION] (2024-12-23 15:11:14)

V1del · 2024-12-24 12:43:58

we need that output during active playback that's "muffled".

The blog post you linked has a lot of blabla and pseudo technical info that sounds smart but is very likely irrelevant for the actual issue you're seeing. E.g. one of the main points it makes about setting the sample rate to 48kHz is already the default on a pipewire setup and ultimately very dependant on what you're playing back out of what kind of speaker/sound card.

If you think that upping the resampling quality to be the fix, you can just create the file mentioned in https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/PipeWi … g_quality) as is. Normally if the wiki talks about files that don't exist, you can usually
just create them yourself. I strongly doubt that this will be the fix for this, but it doesn't hurt to check. Do you know if you use some dolby surround filter or so on Windows?

Also assuming you're hearing a stutter instead of a muffle, try installing rtkit so that pipewire can prioritise itself higher.

Last edited by V1del (2024-12-24 13:58:18)

(G{in}[AK)TION] · 2024-12-24 23:24:56

My foul up. I have re-run the command while I played a song on you tube.

I did think about the way I was describing the whole muffled issue but I dont know if saying "it seems like there is more bass than treble" would be an accurate description.

I made an attempt at creating said file like you said but I dont know if I am putting it in the right folder. So ill try creating both folder and file at a later time when I get the chance.

No stuttering noises can be heard AFAIK. playback is consistent without any interruptions.

I appreciate your feed back and responses.

 [gak@TestBed Desktop]$ pactl list sinks
Sink #57
	State: SUSPENDED
	Name: alsa_output.pci-0000_0c_00.1.hdmi-stereo-extra4
	Description: Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64] Digital Stereo (HDMI 5)
	Driver: PipeWire
	Sample Specification: s32le 2ch 48000Hz
	Channel Map: front-left,front-right
	Owner Module: 4294967295
	Mute: no
	Volume: front-left: 42598 /  65% / -11.23 dB,   front-right: 42598 /  65% / -11.23 dB
	        balance 0.00
	Base Volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	Monitor Source: alsa_output.pci-0000_0c_00.1.hdmi-stereo-extra4.monitor
	Latency: 0 usec, configured 0 usec
	Flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY SET_FORMATS 
	Properties:
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA ATI HDMI"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.components = "HDA:1002aa01,00aa0100,00100700"
		alsa.device = "10"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		alsa.id = "HDMI 4"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA ATI HDMI at 0xfcca0000 irq 99"
		alsa.mixer_name = "ATI R6xx HDMI"
		alsa.name = "ZOWIE XL LCD"
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.sync.id = "00000000:00000000:00000000:00000000"
		api.alsa.card.longname = "HDA ATI HDMI at 0xfcca0000 irq 99"
		api.alsa.card.name = "HDA ATI HDMI"
		api.alsa.path = "hdmi:0,4"
		api.alsa.pcm.card = "0"
		api.alsa.pcm.stream = "playback"
		audio.channels = "2"
		audio.position = "FL,FR"
		card.profile.device = "18"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		device.id = "49"
		device.profile.description = "Digital Stereo (HDMI 5)"
		device.profile.name = "hdmi-stereo-extra4"
		device.routes = "1"
		factory.name = "api.alsa.pcm.sink"
		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
		device.description = "Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64]"
		node.name = "alsa_output.pci-0000_0c_00.1.hdmi-stereo-extra4"
		node.nick = "ZOWIE XL LCD"
		node.pause-on-idle = "false"
		object.path = "alsa:acp:HDMI:18:playback"
		port.group = "playback"
		priority.driver = "584"
		priority.session = "584"
		factory.id = "19"
		clock.quantum-limit = "8192"
		client.id = "47"
		node.driver = "true"
		node.loop.name = "data-loop.0"
		library.name = "audioconvert/libspa-audioconvert"
		object.id = "57"
		object.serial = "57"
		api.acp.auto-port = "false"
		api.acp.auto-profile = "false"
		api.alsa.card = "0"
		api.alsa.use-acp = "true"
		api.dbus.ReserveDevice1 = "Audio0"
		api.dbus.ReserveDevice1.Priority = "-20"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:0c:00.1"
		device.enum.api = "udev"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-analog-pci"
		device.name = "alsa_card.pci-0000_0c_00.1"
		device.nick = "HDA ATI HDMI"
		device.plugged.usec = "8179303"
		device.product.id = "0xaaf8"
		device.product.name = "Vega 10 HDMI Audio [Radeon Vega 56/64]"
		device.subsystem = "sound"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:03.1/0000:0a:00.0/0000:0b:00.0/0000:0c:00.1/sound/card0"
		device.vendor.id = "0x1002"
		device.vendor.name = "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI]"
		device.string = "0"
	Ports:
		hdmi-output-4: HDMI / DisplayPort 5 (type: HDMI, priority: 5500, availability group: Legacy 5, available)
	Active Port: hdmi-output-4
	Formats:
		pcm

Sink #192
	State: RUNNING
	Name: alsa_output.pci-0000_0e_00.3.analog-stereo
	Description: Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller Analog Stereo
	Driver: PipeWire
	Sample Specification: s32le 2ch 48000Hz
	Channel Map: front-left,front-right
	Owner Module: 4294967295
	Mute: no
	Volume: front-left: 31457 /  48% / -19.13 dB,   front-right: 31457 /  48% / -19.13 dB
	        balance 0.00
	Base Volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	Monitor Source: alsa_output.pci-0000_0e_00.3.analog-stereo.monitor
	Latency: 0 usec, configured 0 usec
	Flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY 
	Properties:
		alsa.card = "1"
		alsa.card_name = "HD-Audio Generic"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.components = "HDA:10ec1220,10438735,00100101"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		alsa.id = "ALC1220 Analog"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HD-Audio Generic at 0xfce00000 irq 101"
		alsa.mixer_name = "Realtek ALC1220"
		alsa.name = "ALC1220 Analog"
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.sync.id = "00000000:00000000:00000000:00000000"
		api.alsa.card.longname = "HD-Audio Generic at 0xfce00000 irq 101"
		api.alsa.card.name = "HD-Audio Generic"
		api.alsa.path = "front:1"
		api.alsa.pcm.card = "1"
		api.alsa.pcm.stream = "playback"
		audio.channels = "2"
		audio.position = "FL,FR"
		card.profile.device = "5"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		device.id = "50"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.routes = "2"
		factory.name = "api.alsa.pcm.sink"
		media.class = "Audio/Sink"
		device.description = "Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller"
		node.name = "alsa_output.pci-0000_0e_00.3.analog-stereo"
		node.nick = "ALC1220 Analog"
		node.pause-on-idle = "false"
		object.path = "alsa:acp:Generic:5:playback"
		port.group = "playback"
		priority.driver = "1009"
		priority.session = "1009"
		factory.id = "19"
		clock.quantum-limit = "8192"
		client.id = "47"
		node.driver = "true"
		node.loop.name = "data-loop.0"
		library.name = "audioconvert/libspa-audioconvert"
		object.id = "59"
		object.serial = "192"
		node.max-latency = "16384/48000"
		api.alsa.period-size = "1024"
		api.alsa.period-num = "32"
		api.alsa.headroom = "0"
		api.acp.auto-port = "false"
		api.acp.auto-profile = "false"
		api.alsa.card = "1"
		api.alsa.use-acp = "true"
		api.dbus.ReserveDevice1 = "Audio1"
		api.dbus.ReserveDevice1.Priority = "-20"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:0e:00.3"
		device.enum.api = "udev"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-analog-pci"
		device.name = "alsa_card.pci-0000_0e_00.3"
		device.nick = "HD-Audio Generic"
		device.plugged.usec = "8248986"
		device.product.id = "0x1457"
		device.product.name = "Family 17h (Models 00h-0fh) HD Audio Controller"
		device.subsystem = "sound"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:08.1/0000:0e:00.3/sound/card1"
		device.vendor.id = "0x1022"
		device.vendor.name = "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD]"
		device.string = "1"
	Ports:
		analog-output-lineout: Line Out (type: Line, priority: 9000, availability group: Legacy 4, available)
		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (type: Headphones, priority: 9900, availability group: Legacy 5, not available)
	Active Port: analog-output-lineout
	Formats:
		pcm
[gak@TestBed Desktop]$ pactl list sink-inputs
Sink Input #214
	Driver: PipeWire
	Owner Module: n/a
	Client: 72
	Sink: 192
	Sample Specification: float32le 2ch 48000Hz
	Channel Map: front-left,front-right
	Format: pcm, format.sample_format = "\"float32le\""  format.rate = "48000"  format.channels = "2"  format.channel_map = "\"front-left,front-right\""
	Corked: no
	Mute: no
	Volume: front-left: 50425 /  77% / -6.83 dB,   front-right: 50425 /  77% / -6.83 dB
	        balance 0.00
	Buffer Latency: 0 usec
	Sink Latency: 0 usec
	Resample method: PipeWire
	Properties:
		client.api = "pipewire-pulse"
		pulse.server.type = "unix"
		application.name = "Firefox"
		application.process.id = "1896"
		application.process.user = "gak"
		application.process.host = "TestBed"
		application.process.binary = "firefox"
		application.language = "en_US.UTF-8"
		window.x11.display = ":0.0"
		application.process.machine_id = "348210e3f02843248bafba3c41f1dda1"
		application.process.session_id = "1"
		media.name = "Who Knew Duke - YouTube"
		node.rate = "1/48000"
		node.latency = "3600/48000"
		stream.is-live = "true"
		node.name = "Firefox"
		node.want-driver = "true"
		node.autoconnect = "true"
		media.class = "Stream/Output/Audio"
		port.group = "stream.0"
		adapt.follower.spa-node = ""
		object.register = "false"
		factory.id = "7"
		clock.quantum-limit = "8192"
		node.loop.name = "data-loop.0"
		library.name = "audioconvert/libspa-audioconvert"
		client.id = "67"
		object.id = "68"
		object.serial = "214"
		pulse.attr.maxlength = "4194304"
		pulse.attr.tlength = "48000"
		pulse.attr.prebuf = "38408"
		pulse.attr.minreq = "9600"
		node.driver-id = "59"
		module-stream-restore.id = "sink-input-by-application-name:Firefox"
[gak@TestBed Desktop]$

EDIT: I would also like to state that this also happens in any games I play but I figured it would be easier to capture this while playing a song off youtube.

Last edited by (G{in}[AK)TION] (2024-12-24 23:29:02)

V1del · 2024-12-25 23:49:09

I don't see anything wrong just from the general baseline. I'd reccommend to check with e.g. easyeffects whether you can create some post processing profile that makes things sound more to your liking. Other than that do you maybe use a surround profile on Windows that would reprodcuce in some bass/LTE channel? Assuming the "general" pipeline works correctly, I'd check whether you can create something to your liking with some equalizer effects or so.

(G{in}[AK)TION] · 2024-12-26 01:19:09

V1del wrote:

I don't see anything wrong just from the general baseline. I'd reccommend to check with e.g. easyeffects whether you can create some post processing profile that makes things sound more to your liking. Other than that do you maybe use a surround profile on Windows that would reprodcuce in some bass/LTE channel? Assuming the "general" pipeline works correctly, I'd check whether you can create something to your liking with some equalizer effects or so.

understood. I will take a look into easy effects.

All I can say about my windows computer is that the sound driver was already installed when I installed windows on it. I did not install any other sound driver. I dont use any speakers as I only use either my headphones or earbuds. Specifically, the Phillips SHP9500 or these AKG Earbuds that came with my Samsung android phone I got years ago.

I think its safe to say that after testing with the AKG ear buds, the "crystal clear" audio is more noticeable on my windows computer and android phone than on my test bed thats running arch linux. I did check on another one of my computers thats running LMDE6 and I heard the kind of audio quality I heard on my Arch Linux test bed hence why I started looking into figuring out how to configure pipewire in particular.

Again, I appreciate all your help and will look into easy effects.

(G{in}[AK)TION] · 2024-12-29 18:14:41

Here is what got so far.

I have installed both "easyeffects" and "lsp-plugins" followed by me looking across the internet for some presets.

On a related side note, I did also try testing a few of the games I am playing atm and found that half life is the BEST way to see the difference in sound quality between Windows and Linux. You can hear it with the "Mr. Valve" splash and the weapons you find laying around in any multiplayer map of your choice. I only tested with my AKG earbuds but I am certain you may still hear a clear difference with your own set of headphones.

After looking around on the internet I only found a few that seem to work well enough but are still somewhat a way from sounding about the same way as they do in windows. I could probably modify the presets a bit and maybe learn how to use the equalizer until a better fix can be found.

One of the best presets I found for half-life so far was the "LoudnessCrystalEqualizer" From this feller, Digitalone1, here. All I can say is that this one is "close enough" but will try to modify.

https://github.com/Digitalone1/EasyEffects-Presets

I did try using this same preset for deadlock but everything seemed very off. wasnt until I changed over to another preset "Bass Enhancing + PerfectEQ" which is also by this feller, JackHack96, here. I mean maybe theres a better one, but I just changed to this one on a whim.

https://github.com/JackHack96/EasyEffects-Presets

Now if any of you here do try to compare the sound quality of half life between windows and linux and you do hear a difference, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to investigate and look forward to whatever solutions you offer.

But if you dont, That is fine. I mean If I have to ask you to go this far into seeing what I am talking about, then I suppose its a failure on my part in trying to get you to see what I am talking about.

I do appreciate the help offered to me here from you all.

Reader, I hope that if you find a better solution that you post it somewhere so that maybe I could find your fix and see if it works.

EDIT: I am not sure if I should mark this as solved. I mean the fix I applied only works "good enough".

Last edited by (G{in}[AK)TION] (2024-12-29 18:16:15)

Arch Linux

#1 2024-12-21 11:29:47

slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#2 2024-12-21 11:34:59

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#3 2024-12-21 18:20:27

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#4 2024-12-21 18:27:09

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#5 2024-12-21 19:26:50

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#6 2024-12-23 13:52:11

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#7 2024-12-23 14:22:11

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#8 2024-12-24 12:43:58

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#9 2024-12-24 23:24:56

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#10 2024-12-25 23:49:09

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#11 2024-12-26 01:19:09

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

#12 2024-12-29 18:14:41

Re: slightly "muffled" audio quality in linux.

Board footer