A fix for XPS15 9550 Sound

The problem, basically, is the MaxxAudio software and the processing it does. There's an easy fix that just involves settings, and a better fix that involves installing other drivers/software. I was dissatisfied with MaxxAudio and replaced it entirely with Dolby. Been using it a few days now and have had no issues.

The easy fix:

Go into the Dell Audio desktop app, and click on Speaker/Headphone at the top.

• Turn OFF MaxxBass

• Turn UP MaxxTreble to taste, I had mine set at 95.

• Turn OFF MaxxDialog

• Turn OFF MaxxStereo

• Try MaxxVolume ON or OFF. It's compression, I don't mind it so I keep it on.

• Use MaxLeveler as you wish, I have mine turned off because I hate normalization.

• Next, click on Equalizer on the left hand side.

• Click the On switch

• Set 31Hz at 0.7 or to taste.

• Set 63Hz at 2.1 or to taste.

• Set 125Hz at 1.3 or to taste.

• Set 250Hz at -1.4 or to taste.

• Set 500Hz at -0.8 or to taste.

The more difficult fix:

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=392085

The file is DOLBY.RAR. Unpack that file but DO NOT install anything yet.

Uninstall the Dell/RealTek audio drivers, DO NOT reboot when it prompts. Instead, you'll need to disable Signed Driver Enforcement which is done as follows:

http://acer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/38289/~/windows-10:-disable-signed-driver-enforcement

Now, first install Dolby PCEE Drivers x64.msi. you'll see a red box pop up warning you about installing unsigned drivers. Understand this may kill babies, cause nuclear war, or the mafia to start hitting you up for protection money. I've had no such issues, however. Once its done, then install Dolby Home Theater.msi. When the installer asks, you want to install DHT (Dolby Home Theater), NOT DAA (Dolby Advanced Audio).

Bear in mind, unsigned drivers CAN compromise/destabilize/damage your system. Proceed at your own risk.

NOTE: THESE DRIVERS ALLOW MUCH HIGHER VOLUME THAN THE STOCK DELL DRIVERS! DO NOT USE FULL VOLUME UNTIL YOU ADJUST THE EQ!

Here's the settings I use that pretty much eliminate distortion even at full volume:


Go into the Dolby Home Theater app.

• Click the box to activate Intelligent Equalizer, and select the leftmost curve
• Click the box to activate the Graphic Equalizer.
• Move the 32Hz slider down to the first mark below flat/midpoint.
• 64Hz slider midway between flat and first mark.
• 125Hz slider leave at flat.
• 250Hz slider move down to just above first mark
• 500Hz slider move down to where the top of the slider is even with the first mark down
• 1k slider move to where the slider is at the first mark down
• 2k slider move halfway between flat and first mark down.
• Turn off the volume leveler, dialogue enhancer and use surround virtualizer to taste.

 

I get an error trying to open Dolby Home Theatre, saying the version doesn't match the expected.
edit: ok, "2. Install "Dolby PCEE Drivers". During installation process, choose either "DAA(release)" for Advanced Audio v2 OR "DHT(release)" for Home Theater v4."

 

THANK YOU! This fixed the horrible stutter every time I pressed the mic button in a game!

 

Thanks Beefman.

 

I got an error as well.

1. I uninstalled intel high def audio from device manager
2. went to recovery -> disabled uncertified installation
3. (had to restart computer after disabling)
4. install PCEE x64 (chose DHT)
5. install DHT V4 but it states
"PCEE needs to be installed"

I repeated these steps several times but still couldn't install DHT and everytime it's the same message regardless of how many times I had installed PCEE x64 and chose DHT(release) option.

 

Are you sure you:
1. disabled driver verification
2. uninstalled realtek
3. installed PCEE x64

in that order?

 

Initially I did 2 then 1 then 3 but now I tried 1 2 3 and still won't work.

I uninstalled the realtek through device manager. Now it only has intel display audio and bluetooth hands-free audio. Then installed the PCEE x64. Afterwardss, then I try to install DHT, it still states "PCEE needs to be installed"

How did you uninstall realtek?

 

Using the program change/remove menu. When you install PCEE, it says successful afterwards? Have you tried uninstalling everything and starting over?

 

It would be really useful if you could screenshot what your settings are for the EQ? Thanks in advance