MaxxPlayer for Windows

Used MaxxPlayer for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffNovember 7, 2008

Windows Media Player users may like this program's sound-enhancement effects, but we'd guess many of them will find the demo restriction pretty annoying. MaxxPlayer integrates tightly into Windows Media Player and can be accessed via the Tools menu item. The program's control panel appears under the visualization window, offering a few sliders and boxes that let you adjust the audio effects. However, the list of available audio enhancements is not huge; you'll find treble- and bass-boost options, a filter called MaxxStereo, and another called iVolume. The latter two options had the greatest effect on sound quality. MaxxStereo creates a wider stereo spectrum, while iVolume cranks up your music much louder. If you want to see how much difference the plug-in makes, you simply can click the Bypass button to turn it off. We initially were disappointed to find the trial period is a short seven days, but the aggressive nag screen, which pops up every time you click a new track or playlist, really stuck in our craw. In spite of that, dedicated Windows Media Player fans with discriminating ears should at least give this program a try.

MaxxPlayer for Windows

Used MaxxPlayer for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: September 28, 2005

Latest update: November 7, 2008

Version: 1.1

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows XP
Windows 10
Windows 2000

Additional Requirements: Windows 2000/XP, Windows Media Player 9.0

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 15,099

Downloads Last Week: 1

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.5/5

117 User Votes

Great sound with minimum tweaking. Straightforward.
DawnerITJanuary 12, 2012
Pros
Easy to setup and operate. Intergrates well with Windows Media Player. Maxxbass is a welcome technology that actually works on 'normal' speakers. If you use high end 2.1 or 5.1 speaker systems, experimenting with LFE setting and disabling all other DSPs will do wonders. Well written (for novices and lazybones) quickguides gets you running in no time. Few parameters to tweak minimize room for errors and over zealous adjustments. Price is right.
Cons
DEP on some XP systems is a bother. Nag screens popup frequently but given that its a resonably priced product, you can live with it.Unable to run other DSPs you may like, unless you wanna distort its output.
Summary
Professional results made available for the home user. Revolutionary technology at a good price. Get it!
Waves is THE audio enhancement company
szillmerOctober 16, 2009
Pros
Simple interface, provides increased legibility and quality on crappy little laptop speakers. Lots of bang for the buck, from the company that produces the plugins used in professional studios.
Cons
Hassle getting to the product review page.
Summary
Much better than the Bass effects in Media Player!
forestgump007November 9, 2008
Pros
Overall I would say that this plugin was worth the mere $9.00 that I had to pay. The bass effects work especially well on music that was recorded in the 80s - 90s and earlier. It really FATTENS up the sound and gives greater dynamic range...
Cons
You need to make sure that the plugin is actually activated in the media player tools menu, because if you don't (even though the plugin LOOKS like its active it is not).
Summary
It greatly enhances the bottom end... PERIOD!!!
Ramarkable sound improvement
robhdeanOctober 27, 2008
Pros
Maxx sound processing is really remarkable, MaxxBass in particular. It's not a simple boost, it does clever maths which fools your ears into hearing frequencies which small speakers simply can't effectively emit.
Cons
I wish I could patch this into my entire PC sound output rather than just into Windows Media Player.
Summary
It WORKS!. Big Speakers / Small Speakers
aaronedw77October 21, 2008
Pros
I started using this on my laptop and was VERY happy with the results. I was DJing with my laptop and took a break loading up WMP playlist. Maxx was on, and WOW!. I was DJing with a 120W X 2 Vacuum Tube Amp pushing 4 JBL 15" Pa drivers. With Maxx the system sounded like I just added a set of 18"s and 1000 Watts more. It was AMAZING
Cons
Only works on WMP :-(
Summary
It is absolutely outstanding. Ive heard sounds in movies Ive never heard before.
TULOASeptember 27, 2008
Pros
I like everything. I like the way it makes everything sound better. I have heard a big difference in the sound quality with this software.
Cons
Summary
AWESOME bass (effect) for small speakers!
bargz1September 24, 2008
Pros
I disagree with the Editorial review: this product's best feature is MaxxBass; it uses an (interesting if you enjoy audio theory) algorithm to "fake" our ears into hearing bass tones that small speakers cannot reproduce. I found this product because I was reading the Wikipedia article on "Missing fundamentals" (audio) and found a link to the patent. The authors of this plug-in also have a studio-, home-, and car-audio hardware box that does the same thing as this plug-in. This plug-in works so great that I'm really interested in the car-audio piece -- it's only $100. I suggest anyone interested read up on the technology -- it's really, really cool. This is not a vanilla "bass boost" equalizer or mixer that simply increases low frequencies. You'll be amazed at the difference coming out of cheap computer speakers when you switch it on and off.
Cons
1) Windows XP (SP3) kept closing Windows Media Player 11 with the Data Execution Prevention (DEP) warning. The only way I can get the plug-in to work (and it does work without crashing) is to disable DEP for Windows Media Player. I don't like that; it means the plug-in authors are coding and/or compiling incorrectly, and I don't like having to open up my system in order for their software to operate. <p> <p>2) The pop-up "nag-ware" dialog is really irritating if you don't register the plug-in: if you close it then it opens back up within 5 minutes. If it wasn't such an effective plug-in then I wouldn't have purchased it (only $9) and I'd have to disable it soon because that pop-up window is REALLY annoying. <p> <p>3) Minor: there are only 3 crossover frequency selections: "Hi-Fi", "Multimedia" and "Notebook." I'd like to be able to enter my own number. I assume the authors implemented the selection this way for "uneducated" people who don't understand the terms "crossover" and "frequency" and prefer big, shiny buttons.
Summary
works
mld6^August 19, 2008
Pros
it does make the sound better.
Cons
price
Summary
Enhancement in sound is above par, great for streaming music...
jdmooney1March 3, 2008
Pros
Great for streaming music while I work on my computer; <p>Seems to make my 2.1 system come alive without spending more money for more speakers; <p>set it and forget it simplicity.
Cons
None so far.
Summary
awesomely improves the bass response of the sound played through any audio devic
aaarya_1February 19, 2008
Pros
ease of use, nice processing and perfetly does the work it is created for. really liked the way it improves the bass response
Cons
nothing really. the user interface could be improved and updated a bit
Summary

Developer’s Description

Optimize your music for your listening environment.

MaxxPlayer is a plug-in for Windows Media Player that increases peak volume, improves clarity and stereo imaging, and extends bass and high frequency response. iVolume allows your system to play much louder without distortion. Quiet Mode adjusts for different input levels. MaxxBass extends your bass response. MaxxTreble is a unique dynamic high-frequency enhancer. MaxxStereo creates the illusion that your speakers are farther apart.

Version 1.1 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.