[MPA] iTunes4 messes up dynamic range

[Thubten Kunga]

I had not noticed this "problem" until I read this post. I don't think 
I have it. I did notice that the iT4 install turns the equalizer back 
to flat. So I had to turn that back on. I have never used the wound 
enhancer. Just tried it. Seems to goose the high frequencies when on. 
But I notice that if I turn it off after about 20 seconds of 
"adjustment time", the highs from the EQ settings come back up. I don't 
know. Can't really perceive that the sound is worse than iT3 sound. 
Maybe the Sound Enhancer set on High PLUS the EQ the way I like it is 
best. I really like very boosted highs AND lows with a full on 1K 
setting too. I think one needs to fool with both the EQ and the Sound 
Enhancer settings to get it the way they like it for the setup that 
they are listening through.

I've got a 15" 400 Watt Subwoofer on the floor and a pair of large 
3-ways flanking my monitor from a 100 watt per channel amp. Still sound 
good to me.

I think what is most amazing to my ears/brain is that a ripped 128kbps 
AAC file from a 192kbps MP3 source file sounds as good as or BETTER 
than the original. How the hell is that possible? Are my ears fooling 
me with Dolby's magic formula or what? Or is it just a placebo effect — 
part of Steve's Reality Distortion Field?

k

On Friday, May 2, 2003, at 10:01  AM, David Crandon wrote:

>> In the iTunes preferences pane, under the "effects" section, there is 
>> an option called "Sound Enhancer." Turning this option off has 
>> resulted in an improvement for some users. In fact, some readers 
>> report that they are able to turn the Sound Enhancer back on without 
>> the muffled effect re-appearing. Likewise, the "Sound Check"