BBE VG360 Sonic Maximizer:Saving one of the best for the last: This device ushers into your home the same technology used in recording studios, auditoriums, and by some leading musicians. It delivers a rich, vibrant quality of sound. Though small, it is not portable as it needs a power adapter. The VG360 is available from Bbesound.com for $129 though you may find street prices at around $99. Some models in the newest generation of mobile phones have started to ship with surround sound. Ditto for emerging models of MP3 players. Ordinary televisions, car audio systems, DVD players, and general consumer electronics are also embracing this trend. To find out which device at home or in your car ships with this enhanced support for MP3, check out the websites of two competing technologies. The first is Srslabs.com, which claims it ships its technology in more than a billion devices already. The other is Bbesound.com, which has recently moved into high-definition audio as well.
Given the dangers associated with the “loudness war” in music, caution is advised in using the above portable amplifiers and sound-enhancing equipment as incorrect or negligent use may cause temporary or permanent ear damage. Adult supervision is strongly recommended for children.
Mouse to the Muse
Use free software to normalize your music for good
You can pump up the volume of your MP3 music using a portable amplifier but it does not solve the problem of enhancing the sound. You can, however, permanently fix this using free software. For a start, download and install Audacity (available for Mac, Windows and Linux) from ‘http://audacity.sourceforge.net’
The site tells you how to enable MP3 support. I almost always clean up the sound with “noise removal” and bring clarity and depth to the music through “equalization”. You’’ll find Web-based help on these and other commands.
So far, Audacity cannot transform two-channel stereo music into a digitally enhanced surround-sound experience. However, the Sonic Audio Sandbox software adds thump and surround-sound to anything playing on your computer: music, video, movies and games. Get a suitable version for yourself from ‘www.srslabs.com’. Prices range from $15 to $29.9.
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