At this link is one of the countless examples where user forums are often useless for technical support. Here is the question:
In the Sound control panel, when you select a speaker and click Configure, it opens a new Speaker Setup window and asks you two questions. The first one is stereo vs. surround (I have stereo), the second gives you the option to select them as full-range speakers. I’ve attached a screenshot.
My question is simple – all other things held equal – what does it actually DO if you select them as full-range? What EFFECT does it have if you select them as full-range versus not selecting them so? I mean just within Windows, in terms of processing or output I assume. Not even thinking about the speakers.
My question is simple so I’d prefer simple answers please, I’m just trying to zero in on what this option actually does.
Thank you,
Chuck
The answer, and the follow-ups, are apparently from a Microsoft representative, and not only are they are not simple, they are nonsensical techno-babble. But I also think that Chuck made his question less clear by saying, “Not even thinking about the speakers,” as the effect on how speakers sound is all that matters.
I determined the function of the setting for myself a long time ago, by using my excellent Sony SRS-BTX500 Bluetooth speaker. Not using full-range mode on an audio device in Windows 10 is an equalization setting that severely cuts off low frequencies.
What I don’t get is why Microsoft leaves full-range mode off by default. Without it, my Sony sounds thin, and using the speaker’s own bass boost button to compensate makes the sound boomy and awful. Being forced to choose between thin and fat sound wasn’t right, and that set me looking for the answer. This is the fix, assuming you need a stereo setup:
- Right-click the speaker icon on the task bar
- Click “Playback devices”
- Select the playback device you want to use and click “Configure”
- Click “Next”
- Check the “Front left and right” box and click “Next”
- Click “Finish”
Doing this made my SRS-BTX500 sound just right with the unit’s bass boost kept off. Full and balanced, and not at all boomy.