[Windows 11 25H2] Quiet sounds are heavily amplified and distorted (Hidden Upward Compression/AGC issue)
Hey everyone, I'm dealing with an infuriating audio processing issue on a fresh Windows 11 install. The system is applying an extremely aggressive hidden Auto-Gain Control (AGC), or Upward Compressor, and I can't find the source to turn it off.
The Main Problem: Quiet sounds are being blown out. Audio that is supposed to be low-volume is being forcefully amplified to the point of heavy distortion and clipping. Because of this, the noise floor/white noise on my IEMs is also being boosted to unbearable levels.
The Setup:
- Laptop: Avell Storm 450r (Gaming laptop).
- OS: Windows 11 version 25H2 (Fresh install).
- Headphones: KZ ZSN Pro plugged directly into the 3.5mm jack.
- Software: Equalizer APO with the Peace GUI.
What I've Already Tried (The usual suspects are ruled out):
- Windows Settings: Disabled ALL "Audio Enhancements" in the Windows Sound Settings app.
- Communications Tab: Set
mmsys.cplto "Do nothing" to stop native Windows ducking. - Discord: Zeroed out Discord's "Attenuation" feature.
- Realtek Control: The Realtek Audio Console is barebones. It only shows the physical jacks. There is no "Loudness Equalization", "OmniSound", or "Night Mode" option available to disable.
- OEM Bloatware: Checked my installed apps list and Avell's control center. I do NOT have Nahimic, THX Spatial, DTS, or Dolby installed.
- Equalizer APO: Switched the troubleshooting options from SFX/EFX to LFX/GFX. My Peace EQ profile is entirely flat with negative pre-amp, but the background OS compressor still overrides and distorts quiet sounds.
Thanks in advance!
(the text above is ai generated, im not a native english speaker and I took advantage of the chat i was having with google gemini (trying to fix this problem) to make this post)