Posts:
17
Registered:
Feb 19, 2008
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Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 10, 2009 7:42 PM
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Since I upgraded to 9 (which I love) songs with low bass sound muffled/bizarre and prior to installing 9 i never had this problem.
running windows 7 rtm, have realtek sound drive.. is this just a bug?
also I just installed 9 over 8, should I do a clean install? or would that make no difference
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Posts:
2
Registered:
Aug 15, 2009
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 5:45 AM
in response to: xtbs7645x
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I have the same problem. I also checked on my Windows (yes i have one...) laptop. Difference between ms mediaplayer and itunes is audible
MacBook Pro 15"
Mac OS X (10.5.8)
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Posts:
1
From:
Florida
Registered:
Sep 11, 2009
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 12:04 PM
in response to: xtbs7645x
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I've also noticed a significant difference in the quality of the audio playback since upgrading to iTunes 9. And I mean that negatively. Just about every song now sounds muffled. Nothing has changed in the audio equipment I have installed either. There's a lack of crispness to the music, no matter the genre. Hope somebody out there has an answer as to why this is...
iMac
Mac OS X (10.6)
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Posts:
17
Registered:
Feb 19, 2008
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 11, 2009 2:54 PM
in response to: jose2sisters
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lets hope itunes next update will fix it  ... grr too bad itunes updates dont come out all that often.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
Sep 12, 2009
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 12, 2009 5:45 AM
in response to: xtbs7645x
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That's odd, because I noticed an improvement in audio on my system.
When iTunes 7 came out, the audio quality fell off a cliff. I had to radically change all my settings in the equalizer; in fact, I still have an "iTunes 7.0 Correction" preset. The "Sound Enhancement" preference caused nothing but worse distortion. Using the volume slider in the iTunes 7 window caused distortion unless it was kept full up. Subsequent updates to 7 through 8 gradually improved the audio again, but never to the quality of iTunes 6.
After upgrading to version 9, the sound quality is back on my system. Bass is clearer, highs are not over-emphasized, but definitely being handled differently. The "Sound Enhancement" preference works correctly again, and at low levels actually adds a bit more "life" to some music -- particularly MP3-compressed files at lower bitrates. There's a noticeable effect of what audio engineers call "spatial enhancement" that they use to recover a cleared soundstage image from overly "dry" digital recordings.
Now, I'm a former professional audio engineer, and my listening setup might be a bit different than yours, so your milage may vary. Here's my setup: Mac's audio jack output goes though an RCA plug adapter cable to an input on a Technics SA-R230 reciever to feed Infinity bookshelf speakers or a pair of (original 1980's) AKG K240M studio headphones. Mac's and iTunes' audio is turned to full output, and volume is adjusted via the reciever's volume knob. Audio from iTunes is matched to the speakers and headphones with presets in the iTunes equalizer. Matching to the Mac's audio output characteristic is managed with the reciever's built-in equalizer and never changed.
Here's my suggestion -- since most folks run their audio straight from the Mac's audio jack to headphones or computer speakers -- try easing off your equalizer settings and/or "Sound Enhancement" preference settings. The new audio processing in iTunes 9 may be a bit "hotter" on the bass end, which will make exessive equalizer settings sound muddy now. You can back them off, still get good bass, and not overdrive that end of the spectrum. Your music should sound "clearer" or "cleaner" with more volume range in the bass from soft to loud. It WILL change how you percieve the music, and with proper settings and some time getting accustomed to it, you'll probably find it more pleasing.
Now, what if you have the equalizer tuned off? Small speakers (like laptops) can sound muddy with "flat" outputs. You might need to raise the low and high ends of the equalizer a tiny bit. Or, leave the ends alone and attenuate (drop below the zero line) the middle frequencies. Play with it until you find where your speakers are happy with the output.
From my point of view, Apple, please don't change the audio processing in iTunes 9. BUT, perhaps there should be some new equalizer presets and "Sound Enhancer" profiles added to help out folks with a lot of the newer computer audio hardware out there. The small speakers and headphones on the market today have come a long way from where they were a few years ago, and the right settings can definitely make a difference.
Mac G4 dual 533MHz
Mac OS X (10.4.11)
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Posts:
2
From:
Denver
Registered:
Sep 13, 2009
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 13, 2009 6:47 PM
in response to: xtbs7645x
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I am VERY upset about this issue. I have all my music in 256-320 vbr and it all sounds like absolute CRAP. It appears to be some sort of processing playback issue to me... sounds very muddy in areas. I WANT a flat EQ. I HATE BOSE, why are you trying to make my music sound like it is playing through a pair of Quiet comforts. I AM VERY VERY UPSET AND WILL BE CHANGING BACK TO iTunes 8 and have told EVERY person i know NOT to download 9.
MacbookPro
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Posts:
1
From:
Brazil
Registered:
Sep 13, 2009
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 13, 2009 7:02 PM
in response to: xtbs7645x
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It is a bit strange to see people complaining about the sound's quality after iTunes 9. My case was utterly, undoubtedly, exactly the opposite. I just upgraded to 9 with no greater expectations but how scary I was when my first music with it flowed into the air. Yes, I called the city's priest cause I thought I would need kinda exorcism or something. Spirits took control of my Mac and start sing into it? For a moment I thought little Mac would start dancing right in front of me; but not, not at this time... maybe with iTunes 10...
ex-white-now-dirty Macbook 2.4Ghz 4Gb RAM
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Posts:
2
From:
Denver
Registered:
Sep 13, 2009
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 13, 2009 7:27 PM
in response to: Tanim
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Look, I have mostly 320 VBR recorded audio, a very nice car system, a pair of Sennheisers, AKG 270s, a pair of Shure 550s, monitors and a very nice home audio set up and they all sound like absolute garbage.
So, there are a few options here:
either A. Its some sort of firmware issue that makes certain computers sound bad B. it's some sort of interactive EQing that makes certain formats (128kbps, non VBR) sound "better" through ipod headphones... and you have the secret format, whatever it is.
C. It's some bizarre processing issue caused by snow kitty.
or D. You are lying.
I'm pretty sure it's A or B... Or you're into mixing commercials (joke)... or those AKGs you have are realy some Bose Quiet comforts (couldn't resist)... whatever the option is... It sounds like absolute garbage on my computer, ipod and through many $ worth of audio equipment....
It's certainly NOT that you have better equipment or something... there's a very serious issue here but you don't seem to be having it.
So please don't ignore this Apple.
MacbookPro
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Posts:
13
From:
Denmark
Registered:
Sep 13, 2009
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 14, 2009 6:37 AM
in response to: xtbs7645x
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This *****! I have the same problem. How do you go back to itunes 8?
MB White
Mac OS X (10.6)
Macbook
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Posts:
59
From:
Netherlands
Registered:
Nov 23, 2007
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 14, 2009 12:30 PM
in response to: kris98
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My music collection is most 320 kbps mp3 and Apple Lossless audio. iTunes EQ is off.
Setup is here:
- A PC with Windows 7 RTM, ESI Juli@ soundcard connected with Bluejeans cables to a Little Dot MKIII tube headphone amp with a Sennheiser HD650. Didn't notice any difference with iTunes 9.
- An iMac with Mac OS 10.6.1, Little Dot DAC_I connected with Bluejeans cables to Audioengine USA speakers. Didn't notice any difference with iTunes 9.
No I'm not saying the problem isn't there for those who complaint. I'll keep listening if I hear any changes.
iMac 2.8 GHz mid 2007
Mac OS X (10.5.6)
4 GB RAM, 500 GB HD
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Posts:
17
Registered:
Feb 19, 2008
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 14, 2009 3:01 PM
in response to: xtbs7645x
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i notice it mostly in electronic music (bass parts).. besides that everything else sounds fine. i tried messing with the eq, but that does nothing 
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Posts:
9
From:
Seoul
Registered:
Oct 14, 2007
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 14, 2009 3:55 PM
in response to: xtbs7645x
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I've felt frustrated since I upgraded.
Apparently the sound quality of mp3 formats is improved, but that of lossless format (ALAC) is simply gone bad.
I guess Apple considers iTunes a tool for their store only. I'm very disappointed with this upgrade.
I wish Steve & Friends would understand that the point of iTunes is the quality of music of all kinds of formats, not the showy things like genius mixes which I, however, like.
imac 24" (core duo 2 2.16)
Mac OS X (10.6.1)
nvidia geforce 7600GT
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Posts:
678
Registered:
May 31, 2006
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 15, 2009 11:55 AM
in response to: ssooii
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Hello all,
If you are experiencing audio quality issues after updating to iTunes 9, please try this:
1. Open iTunes Preferences > Playback.
2. Disable Crossfade songs, Sound Enhancer and Sound Check.
3. Click OK.
4. Open the Equalizer (in the Window menu on the Mac, in the View menu on Windows).
5. Disable the EQ by de-selecting the checkbox in the upper left.
6. Play an affected track.
How does the track sound? Please email me <royb@apple.com> with your results. Please also let me know what OS you are using, and include your Discussions username and a link to this thread on Discussions.
Thanks,
Roy
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Posts:
17
Registered:
Feb 19, 2008
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 15, 2009 2:06 PM
in response to: Roy B
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so i just updated my sound driver (realtek).. something i update frequently. anyways the sound problem seems fixed! things are sounding perfect again. so if anyone here is using windows and has realtek audio, upgrade to 2.33.. should fix your itunes 9 issues
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Posts:
2
Registered:
Sep 15, 2009
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Re: Itunes 9 audio problem
Posted:
Sep 15, 2009 2:42 PM
in response to: xtbs7645x
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since i download to 9 i have no audio and i cant play my music
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