---
title: "Diagnose distortion, crackling and harsh sound · Sound Boost"
description: "Compare distorted browser sound with and without Sound Boost and inspect gain, EQ and output device separately."
url: https://soundboost.impulse-apps.de/en/guides/diagnose-distortion/
language: en
website: Sound Boost
publisher: Impulse Apps
---

Access and help

# Diagnose distortion, crackling and harsh sound

First establish where the issue starts. High gain, an EQ boost and an already damaged recording need different responses.

By Impulse Apps · Content reviewed on 7 October 2026

## Build three comparisons

Compare the same passage in original playback, with processing near 100 percent and at your previous setting. Keep player and device volume unchanged. This makes one change traceable.

A defect audible without Sound Boost is not caused solely by its gain setting. Also test a known clean source before changing global device settings.

## Return to baseline step by step

1. Reduce gain.
2. If Plus exists: compare the mixer with Flat and Center; test Mono separately.
3. Turn Power off and listen to the original passage.
4. Use another source to check whether the device is involved.

## Keep the reproducible passage

Record the timestamp and setting where the issue begins. “Sounds bad” is difficult to diagnose; “crackles from 300 percent at 01:24, original clean” is concrete evidence. A meter does not replace this listening log.

## Find where the defect begins instead of aiming at maximum

Record the first setting at which the same passage reproducibly develops the defect, not merely the highest setting. Then return below it. For music, test a loud and quiet section; for speech, a normal sentence and pause. If a defect appears only after a Bluetooth or device change, record that as a separate comparison. More tab gain does not repair network interruptions or device issues.

A large EQ boost can also alter headroom. With existing Plus access, compare Flat first and keep overall gain moderate, then reintroduce one band change. If the issue persists without the mixer, do not look only at EQ. For support, the exact passage, baseline and first faulty setting are more useful than many unrelated adjustments.

## A worked example

A bass hit sounds clean originally but harsh at high gain. Reduce the slider first. If Plus EQ is active, compare Flat with the previous profile at similar volume. Increasing bass and overall level together obscures the cause. Keep only a change that actually helps on replay.

Add your observations. This template processes no files and sends no report.

### Check the result

### If something is wrong

**Observation and next step**

| Observation | Next step |
| --- | --- |
| All sources distorted | Check device, output and system volume using original audio. |
| Only high boost distorts | Keep a lower value and do not make maximum gain the goal. |
| Only one profile affected | If Plus: compare Flat and reintroduce changes individually. |

## Common questions

**Does the limiter repair the source?**

No. Output protection limits peaks and does not restore quality already lost.

**Should I disable protection?**

First reduce gain and compare with original playback. More output level does not prove improvement.

Browser activation and a Plus entitlement are separate requirements. Protected content and specialised players can have their own limitations.

[Help and contact](https://soundboost.impulse-apps.de/en/support/)

## Continue here

[Start and volume](https://soundboost.impulse-apps.de/en/guides/output-protection/)

### Compressor, headroom and output protection

Understand Sound Boost’s shared output protection and why a limited peak does not mean a repaired source.

**Read the guide**

[Start and volume](https://soundboost.impulse-apps.de/en/guides/adjust-volume/)

### Adjust volume from 0 to 1000 percent

Use the Sound Boost slider and understand how tab volume, source audio and device volume work together.

**Read the guide**

[Start and volume](https://soundboost.impulse-apps.de/en/guides/compare-settings-fairly/)

### Evaluate settings with a fair listening comparison

Compare Sound Boost settings using the same passage, similar loudness and a concrete listening goal.

**Read the guide**