Sound lower than what it used to be

I am now on Windows 7 Build 7201 and while I've been updating it so it fits what I want such and programs and all that I realised I had to update Realtek. Well, I did and I got the version that works for Windows 7 and its basically the same as I had for Vista really. What I'm actually confused about my speakers don't max out to what they used to do on Vista, I know my speakers aren't damaged in anyway so I'm obviously blaming either the drivers or the OS. I max everything out as possible to see how loud it goes compared to what it did on Vista and its not exactly as loud. Can anyone tell me why its like this and if there's a solution around this.

Thank you for any help.

What other things have you tried? Have you tried hitting up the sound icon in the control panel and checking out the settings? Do you have your microphone connected and is it running as well at the same time you are trying to say listen to music because it could be that if your mic is one for some reason, there is a setting in windows that will lower the audio volume to allow for clearer conversations through the microphone.

Is there a realtek audio control panel? Have you tried playing around with the settings in there? Let me know if that idd not help at all and I will try again :)

I've actually tried everything I know, I did actually forget about the Control Panel because I usually just use the Realtek Control Panel to control audio. And I was able to raise the overall sound by a little bit, but its still nothing compared to what it used to be. I've used Realtek since I was 11 and I know literally all the controls to adjust the volume. Also having a mic in doesn't and has never changed anything about my sound and I defiantly know it isn't at the moment. I just don't know what exactly has made this sound lower than what it used to be. But yeah. Anything else that could be causing this weird thing?

Hey Mattster,

I am having the same sound issue. I have tested the speakers and they work perfectly loudly with an iPad but for some reason they are not emitting sound at their full capacity on my PC. Another set of speakers has the same lowered sound issue also. I updated all the drivers etc., but to no avail. Did you happen to ever solve this issue and if so, how? Thanks so much!

Have you tried disabling the audio enhancements in your audio control panel?

It's almost like an on the fly compressor, with audio volume variables. (Quite annoying)

Right click the speaker icon in taskbar. Select "playback devices". Double click "speakers", and click on the "enhancements" tab. Tick "disable all enhancements", select apply and then OK.