Windows – Speech volume of videos on VLC media player is too low on Windows 7

audiovlc-media-playerwindowswindows 7

I just noticed that when I updated to Windows 7, almost all my movies are unwatchable because the speech volume is too low.

All was fine with Windows XP SP3.

I have latest updates for Windows 7.

I have tried several solutions such as: control panel sound settings, vlc compressor. Yet, none seem to work.

They say its because of 5.1 and 2.1 audio system incompatibility or something. But no solutions worked so far.

I have:

  • Windows 7 32bit. Latest updates.
  • Sound card: SB Live! 24-bit. Driver version: 5.12.1.2020
  • Two speakers.

I haven't touched my computer physically at all. These 5.1 sounds just broke after Windows 7 install.

Best Answer

There is always a workaround for generic low-volume sound problem that uses to work: AC3Filter. It has so much audio controls that, if you are patient enough, you will probably solve all your low-volume issues.
In your case you just need to increase Master and maybe DRC control on AC3 Configuration:

AC3Filter v2.6 - Increase Master (and DRC if needed)
Even more: I have often used it to solve that stupid 5.1 sound behavior of so many movies that makes explosions and noisy sounds too high... and voices in conversations sound too low.
I have found it valid for most media player (BSPlayer, Windows Media Player... etc), audio player (WinAmp, iTunes... etc) and even most audio playing (Java, Flash... etc). A real must-have utility.
Of course, this is not solving the main problem (driver, hardware or Windows configuration) at all... but it is easy, fast and works!

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