Win8 sound better, what do you think?

ROBSCIX

I have not used Windows 8 yet. I have the disk but will probably install it later today. I have heard from a few people they find Windows 8 sounds the best out of 7,Xp..etc. So, I realy have no opinion on this because I have not tested myself but I was curious what you guys think about it?

Do you find any difference in sound quality?

mw8t · 01-02-2013, 19:38 | posts: 91 | Location: UK

Better sound in Windows 8 lol

Scerate · **Memory**: 16GB Veng 1866 8-9-9-24

Could be placebo, but Dark Messiah of Might and Magic actually sounds a bit more precise with Alchemy could be placebo too but whatever

Anarion · *Last edited by Anarion; 01-02-2013 at 20:50.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX

I have not used Windows 8 yet. I have the disk but will probably install it later today. I have heard from a few people they find Windows 8 sounds the best out of 7,Xp..etc. So, I realy have no opinion on this because I have not tested myself but I was curious what you guys think about it?

Do you find any difference in sound quality?

Well, since I'm stuck with Realtek ATM everything sounds much worse.

Forte without the drivers sounds absolutely horrible, like 22kHz or 32kHz. I bet it's the volume control since without drivers it allows to go below 5% too. It feels like the driver overrides/bypasses windows volume control in some way since it functions totally differently.

But... They have made improvements and it should be better.

Mangix · 01-07-2013, 03:49 | posts: 50

placebo. Nothing changed in the sound side of things from 7.

jds · 01-07-2013, 04:33 | posts: 7

NOT placebo. I work with sound, and as such, quickly noticed that they have indeed changed something either within the audio stack or the way the drivers work with it. Very noticeable on the lower frequencies.

GenClaymore · *Last edited by GenClaymore; 01-07-2013 at 07:40.*

I haven't been paying attention to any improvements in how it sound, I been too busy enjoying my Audio-GD NFB-12 External dac, and playing games.

Actually Mangix they did do changes to the audio stack for windows 8, There was a data sheet that mentioned what they improved in the audio stack for windows 8. I seen the direct link to it in one of these threads when it was mentioned last year.

I doubt its a placebo, because what one person doesn't hear, another one might because people ears are different.

Mufflore · 01-07-2013, 08:12 | posts: 9,536 | Location: UK

From what I have read (regarding JPlay), higher CPU availability and less EM radiation in the PC helps (due to less background tasks).

When I ran the Win 8 beta I noted that CPU use is reduced when idle.
On Win 7, CPU is used at idle servicing interrupts quite a lot.
On Win 8, CPU is practically flatlined the whole time.

There is another idea for a dedicated audio PC.
Use Total Commander file manager as an alternative shell to run audio programs or load audio files.
http://www.ghisler.com/

RagDoll_Effect · 01-07-2013, 08:43 | posts: 3,923 | Location: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mufflore

From what I have read (regarding JPlay), higher CPU availability and less EM radiation in the PC helps (due to less background tasks).

When I ran the Win 8 beta I noted that CPU use is reduced when idle.
On Win 7, CPU is used at idle servicing interrupts quite a lot.
On Win 8, CPU is practically flatlined the whole time.

There is another idea for a dedicated audio PC.
Use Total Commander file manager as an alternative shell to run audio programs or load audio files.
http://www.ghisler.com/

Gee, I tried this Muff

Do I just double click the audio file and run it still with the same program? Is this just a launcher file manager?

Sounds slightly clearer I think

regards,
RagDoll.

Mufflore · 01-07-2013, 09:15 | posts: 9,536 | Location: UK

You need to run it as your OS shell so you wont have Windows as you know it!
Programs will still run though.

To change the shell:
Copy TotalCMD64.exe to C:Windows\System32

Run Regedit and go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Change the Shell key to TotalCMD64.exe
Reboot

(To change back, change it to Explorer.exe
Reboot)

Then run JPlaymini (assuming this is what you want to test with), select the files you want to play, copy, then press space in JPlaymini.

If you are using another media player, just run it.

*** It might be wise to unplug your net connection while doing this.

I havent tried it myself yet, its on my list

warlord · 01-07-2013, 09:58 | posts: 348

of course windows 8 sounds better higher quality in image and audio...i have a 4000 euro sound system and i hear anything, as i am a cinephile and audiophile

RagDoll_Effect · 01-07-2013, 10:08 | posts: 3,923 | Location: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mufflore

You need to run it as your OS shell so you wont have Windows as you know it!
Programs will still run though.

To change the shell:
Copy TotalCMD64.exe to C:Windows\System32

Run Regedit and go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Change the Shell key to TotalCMD64.exe
Reboot

(To change back, change it to Explorer.exe
Reboot)

Then run JPlaymini (assuming this is what you want to test with), select the files you want to play, copy, then press space in JPlaymini.

If you are using another media player, just run it.

*** It might be wise to unplug your net connection while doing this.

I havent tried it myself yet, its on my list

Well, I tried it and it's alright, maybe a bit more treble or punchier midrange or something. Still, a bit better is a leap forward, don't you think? Thanks Muff

regards,
RagDoll.

RagDoll_Effect · 01-07-2013, 10:14 | posts: 3,923 | Location: Australia

Muff, I use AIMP3 Wasapi and it's even better than JPlay, imo

Try it

Kaleid · 01-07-2013, 20:31 | posts: 2,011 | Location: Sweden

How about objective RMAA measurements?

Mangix · 01-07-2013, 21:23 | posts: 50

Yeah this is hilarious. More than half of these "it sounds better" comments would earn a TOS #8 violation on HydrogenAudio.

@GenClaymore: can I get a link to that paper?

It's possible that Microsoft improved something(better dithering, more accurate conversions, etc...) but a person's ears are the worst thing to use to determine this.

RagDoll_Effect · *Last edited by RagDoll_Effect; 01-07-2013 at 22:24.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mangix

Yeah this is hilarious. More than half of these "it sounds better" comments would earn a TOS #8 violation on HydrogenAudio.

@GenClaymore: can I get a link to that paper?

It's possible that Microsoft improved something(better dithering, more accurate conversions, etc...) but a person's ears are the worst thing to use to determine this.

Incorrect, the way to tell, adjust settings and finish off a system is by ear... It's the best way my friend. However, not for windows versions, still, in the end, the ear is personal and the determining factor cos it's what sounds good to the system's owner

regards,
RagDoll.

GenClaymore · 01-07-2013, 23:07 | posts: 5,082 | Location: Michigan,usa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mangix

Yeah this is hilarious. More than half of these "it sounds better" comments would earn a TOS #8 violation on HydrogenAudio.

@GenClaymore: can I get a link to that paper?

It's possible that Microsoft improved something(better dithering, more accurate conversions, etc...) but a person's ears are the worst thing to use to determine this.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr.../br259116.aspx ,I glad I not a member of HydrogenAudio forums then, Because they would throw me off that site. Just because I used to roll op-amps in my past, Before I went to a distree setup, Or Different headphone amps or headphones.

Mufflore · 01-07-2013, 23:33 | posts: 9,536 | Location: UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagDoll_Effect

Muff, I use AIMP3 Wasapi and it's even better than JPlay, imo

Try it

Its not bad, the sound is pretty similar to JPlaymini when both use WASAPI, there is a little more detail on JPlay.
When there is a lot going on (many instruments playing), JPlay resolves each instrument a bit better.

Changing JPlay to Kernel Streaming gives a more open sound.
I tested with Madonna immaculate collection / Live to tell.
At 20 seconds in there is a sound pan from left to right, its quite a bit clearer on JPlay, the pan seems to extend further to left.

Mufflore · 01-07-2013, 23:36 | posts: 9,536 | Location: UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mangix

Yeah this is hilarious. More than half of these "it sounds better" comments would earn a TOS #8 violation on HydrogenAudio.

@GenClaymore: can I get a link to that paper?

It's possible that Microsoft improved something(better dithering, more accurate conversions, etc...) but a person's ears are the worst thing to use to determine this.

Persons ears are the thing that matters most and are extremely sensitive.
If you want to know just how much, try JPlay.
If you still cant observe any difference, please leave this topic for those who can, this is a great hobby.

Mangix · 01-08-2013, 01:02 | posts: 50

I read the first few parts of that paper and glanced over the rest. All I saw was a new opt-in feature to enable offload of some of the processing to hardware.

There is no indication that this is being utilized by anything.

As for the "better" sound quality, how much of it is in the head and how much of it is actual? I am not against people enjoying their music however they want(even if it's mostly in the head) but making statements that it sounds better since it's newer is misleading, especially since i've seen no real technical change from 7.

Mufflore · 01-08-2013, 02:46 | posts: 9,536 | Location: UK

So because people are able to observe something you dont, or because you havent tried, it might be in their head?
Where has it been said that its better because its newer?
You are the only person that has said that.

You are against people enjoying their music, you make things up so you can argue against!

GhostXL · 01-08-2013, 14:08 | posts: 4,920 | Location: PA, USA

The only things I could consider sounding better in Windows 8, are the system sounds. I haven't noticed anything different in the sound system all together. I'm sure they have improved things to a point, but from what I've gathered it sounds just as good as always. No worse no better.

What I have noticed though, is better 2D IQ.

jds · 01-08-2013, 20:47 | posts: 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mangix

As for the "better" sound quality, how much of it is in the head and how much of it is actual? I am not against people enjoying their music however they want(even if it's mostly in the head) but making statements that it sounds better since it's newer is misleading, especially since i've seen no real technical change from 7.

As I mentioned earlier I work with sound, and have upgraded a couple of studio systems to Windows 8 over the last month. Never had tried any Windows 8 preview version, as those are not commendable for production environments. I was also not expecting any type of change whatsoever regarding sound, in moving from 7 to 8.

But upon the first Windows 8 installation, as I was doing sound checks in the studio to see if everything was working right, I immediately noticed they changed either the audio stack or the way drivers work with it. In a studio environment the difference is pretty obvious.

I don't need to read no documents to know that going from 7 to 8 there is a tremendous difference in sound. I do not know how that translates into home systems, but as I mentioned, in a studio environment the difference is big. Very big. Doing A-B tests on two workstations running the same hardware, one on W7 and another on W8 further confirms the changes. The lower end of the spectrum seems to be the most affected.

Radical_53 · 01-09-2013, 14:35 | posts: 2,258 | Location: Germany

Well. I actually didn't have much interest in Win8 until I stumbled upon this thread... interesting!

ROBSCIX · 01-09-2013, 15:24 | posts: 16,079 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

I have been putting off even playing with the system but I have to learn the ins and outs so perhaps I will do that today. I just don't like the looks of it so far. Hopefully, it has some redeeming qualities and Claymore said you can use 3rd party apps to change the looks of it to be more like "traditional" windows OS'