Low Quality Audio with XR Elite #3154
Description
Description
Audio streaming to my XR Elite headset is tinny, sharp, and seems over-driven. When people in VRChat use an "es" sound in a word, it sounds like a sharp static that makes my skin crawl. Music sounds distant and hissy during busier parts. This issue is independent of any software, affecting audio regardless of the source.
I can't really find any setting, in ALVR or Windows, that seems to affect the quality of the audio reaching the headset. I've tried changing my default audio output device to no avail; it all sounds the same.
When using Vive Hub Streaming, audio comes through rich and warm, just like it would through my speakers or earbuds.
General Troubleshooting
- I carefully followed the instructions in the README and successfully completed the setup wizard
- I read the ALVR GitHub Wiki
Environment
Hardware
HMD:
HTC Vive XR Elite (with face-tracking module)
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
GPU:
NVidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER
GPU Driver Version:
581.29
Audio:
- Speakers - ODAC (Default)
- Realtek Digital Output - Back Panel Audio Port
- 27GN950 - NVIDIA High Definition Audio via HDMI
- Line 1 - Virtual Audio Cable
- Speakers - VIVE Virtual Audio Device
The issue occurs regardless of which of these outputs are used as the source for ALVR's audio passthrough.
Installation
ALVR Version:
20.14.1
ALVR Settings File:
{
"server_version": "20.14.1",
"openvr_config": {
"eye_resolution_width": 2144,
"eye_resolution_height": 2144,
"target_eye_resolution_width": 2144,
"target_eye_resolution_height": 2144,
"tracking_ref_only": false,
"enable_vive_tracker_proxy": false,
"minimum_idr_interval_ms": 100,
"adapter_index": 0,
"codec": 0,
"h264_profile": 0,
"refresh_rate": 90,
"use_10bit_encoder": false,
"use_full_range_encoding": true,
"encoding_gamma": 1.0,
"enable_hdr": false,
"force_hdr_srgb_correction": false,
"clamp_hdr_extended_range": false,
"enable_amf_pre_analysis": false,
"enable_vbaq": true,
"enable_amf_hmqb": false,
"use_amf_preproc": false,
"amf_preproc_sigma": 4,
"amf_preproc_tor": 7,
"encoder_quality_preset": 1,
"rate_control_mode": 0,
"filler_data": false,
"entropy_coding": 1,
"force_sw_encoding": false,
"sw_thread_count": 0,
"controller_is_tracker": false,
"controllers_enabled": true,
"body_tracking_vive_enabled": false,
"body_tracking_has_legs": false,
"enable_foveated_encoding": true,
"foveation_center_size_x": 0.45,
"foveation_center_size_y": 0.4,
"foveation_center_shift_x": 0.4,
"foveation_center_shift_y": 0.1,
"foveation_edge_ratio_x": 4.0,
"foveation_edge_ratio_y": 5.0,
"enable_color_correction": false,
"brightness": 0.0,
"contrast": 0.0,
"saturation": 0.0,
"gamma": 0.0,
"sharpening": 0.0,
"linux_async_compute": false,
"linux_async_reprojection": false,
"nvenc_quality_preset": 3,
"nvenc_tuning_preset": 2,
"nvenc_multi_pass": 1,
"nvenc_adaptive_quantization_mode": 1,
"nvenc_low_delay_key_frame_scale": -1,
"nvenc_refresh_rate": -1,
"enable_intra_refresh": false,
"intra_refresh_period": -1,
"intra_refresh_count": -1,
"max_num_ref_frames": -1,
"gop_length": -1,
"p_frame_strategy": -1,
"nvenc_rate_control_mode": -1,
"rc_buffer_size": -1,
"rc_initial_delay": -1,
"rc_max_bitrate": -1,
"rc_average_bitrate": -1,
"nvenc_enable_weighted_prediction": false,
"capture_frame_dir": "/tmp",
"amd_bitrate_corruption_fix": false,
"use_separate_hand_trackers": true,
"_controller_profile": 2,
"_server_impl_debug": false,
"_client_impl_debug": false,
"_server_core_debug": false,
"_client_core_debug": false,
"_connection_debug": false,
"_sockets_debug": false,
"_server_gfx_debug": false,
"_client_gfx_debug": false,
"_encoder_debug": false,
"_decoder_debug": false
},
"client_connections": {
"1183.client": {
"display_name": "VIVE XR Elite",
"current_ip": null,
"manual_ips": [],
"trusted": true,
"connection_state": "Disconnected"
}
},
"session_settings": {
"video": {
"passthrough": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"Blend": {
"premultiplied_alpha": true,
"threshold": 0.5
},
"RgbChromaKey": {
"red": 0,
"green": 255,
"blue": 0,
"distance_threshold": 85,
"feathering": 0.05
},
"HsvChromaKey": {
"hue_start_max_deg": 70.0,
"hue_start_min_deg": 80.0,
"hue_end_min_deg": 160.0,
"hue_end_max_deg": 170.0,
"saturation_start_max": 0.2,
"saturation_start_min": 0.3,
"saturation_end_min": 1.0,
"saturation_end_max": 1.1,
"value_start_max": 0.0,
"value_start_min": 0.1,
"value_end_min": 1.0,
"value_end_max": 1.1
},
"variant": "Blend"
}
},
"bitrate": {
"gui_collapsed": false,
"mode": {
"ConstantMbps": 100,
"Adaptive": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"saturation_multiplier": 0.95,
"max_throughput_mbps": {
"enabled": false,
"content": 100
},
"min_throughput_mbps": {
"enabled": false,
"content": 5
},
"max_network_latency_ms": {
"enabled": false,
"content": 8
},
"encoder_latency_limiter": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"max_saturation_multiplier": 0.9
}
},
"decoder_latency_limiter": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"gui_collapsed": false,
"max_decoder_latency_ms": 30,
"latency_overstep_frames": 90,
"latency_overstep_multiplier": 0.99
}
}
},
"variant": "ConstantMbps"
},
"adapt_to_framerate": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"framerate_reset_threshold_multiplier": 2.0
}
},
"history_size": 256,
"image_corruption_fix": false
},
"preferred_codec": {
"variant": "H264"
},
"foveated_encoding": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"force_enable": false,
"center_size_x": 0.45,
"center_size_y": 0.4,
"center_shift_x": 0.4,
"center_shift_y": 0.1,
"edge_ratio_x": 4.0,
"edge_ratio_y": 5.0
}
},
"color_correction": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"brightness": 0.0,
"contrast": 0.0,
"saturation": 0.5,
"gamma": 1.0,
"sharpening": 0.5
}
},
"max_buffering_frames": 2.0,
"buffering_history_weight": 0.9,
"enforce_server_frame_pacing": true,
"encoder_config": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"quality_preset": {
"variant": "Balanced"
},
"enable_vbaq": true,
"rate_control_mode": {
"variant": "Cbr"
},
"h264_profile": {
"variant": "High"
},
"entropy_coding": {
"variant": "Cavlc"
},
"filler_data": false,
"use_10bit": false,
"server_overrides_use_10bit": false,
"use_full_range": true,
"server_overrides_use_full_range": false,
"encoding_gamma": 1.0,
"server_overrides_encoding_gamma": false,
"hdr": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"enable_hdr": false,
"server_overrides_enable_hdr": false,
"force_hdr_srgb_correction": false,
"clamp_hdr_extended_range": false
},
"nvenc": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"quality_preset": {
"variant": "P3"
},
"tuning_preset": {
"variant": "LowLatency"
},
"multi_pass": {
"variant": "QuarterResolution"
},
"adaptive_quantization_mode": {
"variant": "Spatial"
},
"low_delay_key_frame_scale": -1,
"refresh_rate": -1,
"enable_intra_refresh": false,
"intra_refresh_period": -1,
"intra_refresh_count": -1,
"max_num_ref_frames": -1,
"gop_length": -1,
"p_frame_strategy": -1,
"rate_control_mode": -1,
"rc_buffer_size": -1,
"rc_initial_delay": -1,
"rc_max_bitrate": -1,
"rc_average_bitrate": -1,
"enable_weighted_prediction": false
},
"amf": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"enable_hmqb": false,
"use_preproc": false,
"preproc_sigma": 4,
"preproc_tor": 7,
"enable_pre_analysis": false
},
"software": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"force_software_encoding": false,
"thread_count": 0
}
},
"force_software_decoder": false,
"mediacodec_extra_options": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"key": "",
"value": {
"ty": {
"variant": "Int32"
},
"value": "0"
},
"content": [
[
"operating-rate",
{
"ty": {
"variant": "Int32"
},
"value": "2147483647"
}
],
[
"priority",
{
"ty": {
"variant": "Int32"
},
"value": "0"
}
],
[
"vendor.qti-ext-dec-low-latency.enable",
{
"ty": {
"variant": "Int32"
},
"value": "1"
}
]
]
},
"transcoding_view_resolution": {
"Scale": 1.0,
"Absolute": {
"width": 2144,
"height": {
"set": false,
"content": 1072
}
},
"variant": "Absolute"
},
"emulated_headset_view_resolution": {
"Scale": 1.0,
"Absolute": {
"width": 2144,
"height": {
"set": false,
"content": 1072
}
},
"variant": "Absolute"
},
"preferred_fps": 90.0,
"adapter_index": 0,
"clientside_foveation": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"mode": {
"Static": {
"level": {
"variant": "High"
}
},
"Dynamic": {
"max_level": {
"variant": "High"
}
},
"variant": "Dynamic"
},
"vertical_offset_deg": 0.0
}
},
"clientside_post_processing": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"super_sampling": {
"variant": "Quality"
},
"sharpening": {
"variant": "Quality"
}
}
},
"upscaling": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"edge_direction": true,
"edge_threshold": 4.0,
"edge_sharpness": 2.0,
"upscale_factor": 1.5
}
}
},
"audio": {
"game_audio": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"gui_collapsed": false,
"device": {
"set": false,
"content": {
"NameSubstring": "Realtek Digital Audio",
"Index": 0,
"variant": "NameSubstring"
}
},
"mute_when_streaming": true,
"buffering": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"average_buffering_ms": 50,
"batch_ms": 10
}
}
},
"microphone": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"devices": {
"Custom": {
"sink": {
"NameSubstring": "",
"Index": 0,
"variant": "NameSubstring"
},
"source": {
"NameSubstring": "",
"Index": 0,
"variant": "NameSubstring"
}
},
"variant": "Automatic"
},
"buffering": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"average_buffering_ms": 50,
"batch_ms": 10
}
}
}
},
"headset": {
"position_recentering_mode": {
"Local": {
"view_height": 1.5
},
"variant": "LocalFloor"
},
"rotation_recentering_mode": {
"variant": "Yaw"
},
"controllers": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"tracked": true,
"hand_skeleton": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"steamvr_input_2_0": true,
"predict": false
}
},
"multimodal_tracking": false,
"hand_tracking_interaction": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"only_touch": false,
"pinch_touch_distance": 0.0,
"pinch_trigger_distance": 0.25,
"curl_touch_distance": 2.0,
"curl_trigger_distance": 2.5,
"joystick_deadzone": 40.0,
"joystick_offset_horizontal": 0.0,
"joystick_offset_vertical": 0.0,
"joystick_range": 1.0,
"activation_delay": 50,
"deactivation_delay": 100,
"repeat_delay": 100
}
},
"steamvr_pipeline_frames": 2.1,
"haptics": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"intensity_multiplier": 1.0,
"amplitude_curve": 1.0,
"min_duration_s": 0.01
}
},
"emulation_mode": {
"Custom": {
"serial_number": "ALVR Controller",
"button_set": {
"gui_collapsed": false,
"element": "/user/hand/left/input/a/click",
"content": []
}
},
"variant": "Quest3Plus"
},
"extra_openvr_props": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"element": {
"key": {
"variant": "TrackingSystemNameString"
},
"value": ""
},
"content": []
},
"linear_velocity_cutoff": 0.05,
"angular_velocity_cutoff": 10.0,
"left_controller_position_offset": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"content": [
0.0,
0.0,
-0.11
]
},
"left_controller_rotation_offset": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"content": [
0.0,
0.0,
0.0
]
},
"left_hand_tracking_position_offset": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"content": [
0.04,
-0.02,
-0.13
]
},
"left_hand_tracking_rotation_offset": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"content": [
0.0,
-45.0,
-90.0
]
},
"button_mappings": {
"set": false,
"content": {
"gui_collapsed": false,
"key": "/user/hand/left/input/a/click",
"value": {
"gui_collapsed": false,
"element": {
"destination": "/user/hand/left/input/a/click",
"mapping_type": {
"HysteresisThreshold": {
"value": 0.5,
"deviation": 0.05
},
"BinaryToScalar": {
"off": 0.0,
"on": 1.0
},
"Remap": {
"min": 0.0,
"max": 1.0
},
"variant": "Passthrough"
},
"binary_conditions": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"element": "/user/hand/left/input/trigger/touch",
"content": []
}
},
"content": []
},
"content": []
}
},
"button_mapping_config": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"click_threshold": {
"value": 0.5,
"deviation": 0.05
},
"touch_threshold": {
"value": 0.1,
"deviation": 0.05
},
"force_threshold": 0.8
}
}
},
"emulation_mode": {
"Custom": {
"serial_number": "Unknown"
},
"variant": "Vive"
},
"extra_openvr_props": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"element": {
"key": {
"variant": "TrackingSystemNameString"
},
"value": ""
},
"content": []
},
"tracking_ref_only": false,
"enable_vive_tracker_proxy": false,
"face_tracking": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"sources": {
"eye_tracking_fb": false,
"face_tracking_fb": false,
"eye_expressions_htc": true,
"lip_expressions_htc": true,
"face_tracking_pico": false
},
"sink": {
"VrchatEyeOsc": {
"port": 9000
},
"variant": "VrcFaceTracking"
}
}
},
"body_tracking": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"gui_collapsed": false,
"sources": {
"body_tracking_fb": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"full_body": true
}
},
"body_tracking_bd": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"BodyTracking": {
"high_accuracy": true,
"prompt_calibration_on_start": true
},
"variant": "BodyTracking"
}
}
},
"sink": {
"VrchatBodyOsc": {
"port": 9000
},
"variant": "FakeViveTracker"
},
"tracked": true
}
},
"vmc": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"gui_collapsed": true,
"host": "127.0.0.1",
"port": 39539,
"publish": true,
"orientation_correction": true
}
},
"max_prediction_ms": 100
},
"connection": {
"stream_protocol": {
"variant": "Udp"
},
"client_discovery": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"auto_trust_clients": false
}
},
"wired_client_type": {
"Custom": "alvr.client",
"variant": "Store"
},
"wired_client_autolaunch": true,
"enable_on_connect_script": false,
"enable_on_disconnect_script": false,
"allow_untrusted_http": false,
"avoid_video_glitching": false,
"packet_size": 1400,
"stream_port": 9944,
"web_server_port": 8082,
"osc_local_port": 9942,
"server_send_buffer_bytes": {
"Custom": 100000,
"variant": "Maximum"
},
"server_recv_buffer_bytes": {
"Custom": 100000,
"variant": "Maximum"
},
"client_send_buffer_bytes": {
"Custom": 100000,
"variant": "Maximum"
},
"client_recv_buffer_bytes": {
"Custom": 100000,
"variant": "Maximum"
},
"max_queued_server_video_frames": 1024,
"statistics_history_size": 256,
"minimum_idr_interval_ms": 100,
"dscp": {
"set": false,
"content": {
"ClassSelector": 7,
"AssuredForwarding": {
"class": 4,
"drop_probability": {
"variant": "Low"
}
},
"variant": "ExpeditedForwarding"
}
}
},
"extra": {
"steamvr_launcher": {
"open_close_steamvr_with_dashboard": false
},
"capture": {
"startup_video_recording": false,
"rolling_video_files": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"duration_s": 5
}
},
"capture_frame_dir": "/tmp"
},
"logging": {
"show_notification_tip": true,
"prefer_backtrace": false,
"notification_level": {
"variant": "Warning"
},
"client_log_report_level": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"variant": "Error"
}
},
"show_raw_events": {
"enabled": false,
"content": {
"hide_spammy_events": false
}
},
"log_to_disk": false,
"log_tracking": false,
"log_button_presses": false,
"log_haptics": false,
"debug_groups": {
"server_impl": false,
"client_impl": false,
"server_core": false,
"client_core": false,
"connection": false,
"sockets": false,
"server_gfx": false,
"client_gfx": false,
"encoder": false,
"decoder": false
}
},
"patches": {
"linux_async_compute": false,
"linux_async_reprojection": false
},
"velocities_multiplier": 1.0,
"open_setup_wizard": false,
"new_version_popup": {
"enabled": true,
"content": {
"hide_while_version": "20.14.1"
}
}
}
}
}SteamVR Version:
2.14.4
Install Type:
- Packaged (
exe,deb,rpm, etc) - Portable (
zip) - Source
Installation was through the ALVR Launcher.
OS Name and Version:
Windows 11 Version 25H2 (OS Build 26200.7171)