*SRS Audio Essentials* is a software-based audio mixer that processes the
audio stream from different file formats and enhances the sound in impressive
ways. The application offers *six different preset modes* from audio, movies,
and gaming to external speakers, on-board speakers, and headphones. The
different configurations create varied audio playback and some audio settings
actually work better than their presets depending on what type of video is
being watched. SRS Audio Essentials is simple to use with the standard
options, but the full version of SRS Audio Essentials features customizable
sliders that affect the treble, bass, and sound dimensions. SRS Audio
Essentials also features a *simulated 5.1 surround sound* option that can be
used with most video playback. *But how did SRS Audio Essentials compare to
the on-board audio?* SRS Audio Essentials was tested on an Alienware MX11
that uses Realtek High Definition Audio as the default audio processor. Two
sets of headphones were used: Altec Lansing ear buds and WESC over-the-ear
headphones. *Audio* With iTunes, four different songs from two different
genres were tested. Hip-hop and rock music have comparable audio attributes,
and the four songs chosen contain both a good amount of high and lows. Across
the board, *SRS Audio Essentials beat Realtek High Definition Audio* by
producing a *wider spectrum of sound* and highlighting the higher pitches and
solid lows. The hip-hop songs sounded heavier with the increased bass and the
rock songs had new life brought to them with the percussion and smaller
recorded sounds becoming more vibrant by SRS Audio Essentials. *Movies* For
the video tests, Media Player Classic Home Cinema (in the K-Lite codec pack)
and Windows Media Player were used to compare playback. SRS Audio Essentials
is *compatible with most media players* and natively works with Windows Media
Player while Media Player Classic had to be configured to recognize the
program to process the sound. *Using three high definition music videos*, SRS
Audio Essentials again produced more impressive audio. Using two pop songs
and one hip-hop song, SRS Audio Essentials was able to create a wider and
more expansive sound. The pop song's heavily layered *instrumentals
contained more depth* while the vocals sounded much more natural and
comprehensible. The hip-hop video played with an *enjoyable amount of bass*
and the treble also presented small cues not heard with Realtek High
Definition Audio. The only problem with SRS Audio Essentials is that the
*presets do not work well with music video audio*. In the case of both pop
videos, there was a *noticeable amount of cracking during playback* that sat
right behind the melody of the song and even adjusting the advanced option
sliders did not remove the issue. A dialogue-heavy movie was also tested and
with presets (movie and headphones), the audio came across clean and audible.
SRS Audio Essentials was also able to *create more virtual surround *with
small background noise like crickets being easily heard. Considering the
source was from DVD, it was impressive that SRS Audio Essentials processed
the smaller noises not heard during playback. *Gaming* The Binding of Issac
was tested with SRS Audio Essentials. Containing both an introduction
containing lots of dialogue and the game containing a heavy soundtrack, it
was the perfect game to test. Once again, SRS Audio Essentials bested Realtek
High Definition Audio by *expanding and improving on the experience* of the
game through the sound. In the simplest case: the *game sounded a lot more
epic*. Since SRS promotes SRS Audio Essentials as a program that is for
music, movies, and games primarily; the testing of the three different types
proved that SRS Audio Essentials is actually an *essential add-on* to
anyone's computer that does not contain a discrete soundcard. *While SRS
Audio Essentials is not absolute perfection, it is the closest possibility
through software.*Download *SRS Audio Essentials 1.0.45.0* in Softonic
