To ensure the highest audio quality and realism when flying the Fenix A320, it is essential to configure your sound settings correctly, both in Microsoft Flight Simulator and in Windows. This guide outlines the recommended sound setup, including system settings, simulator configuration, and specific instructions for users with Realtek or NVIDIA audio components.

Step 1: Configure In-Game Sound Settings

Navigate to MSFS → Options → General → Sound and apply the following configuration:

1. Output Device
Ensure your Sound Output Device is correctly selected. This must be your active audio output, such as:
- "Headphones (Realtek)"
- "Speakers"
- "TV Audio"
- "USB Audio Device"

Avoid using the default option if it does not correspond to your actual hardware.

2. Listening Mode
Set the Sound Listening Mode based on your hardware configuration:
- Headphones – For stereo headsets.
- Home Theatre/Surround – Only if using a physical surround sound system or a headset supporting 7.1 virtual surround sound.

3. Loudness Limiter
Disable the Loudness Limiter option. Enabling it can negatively affect the dynamic range and may result in muffled or broken sounds.

4. Headphone Simulation
Ensure Headphone Simulation is disabled.

5. Volume Levels
Only adjust the following sliders:
- Master Volume
- Music Volume
- Other Aircraft
- Multiplayer Voice Chat
- Environment

Step 2: Windows Sound Settings

To prevent sound degradation and ensure compatibility with the simulator’s audio engine, configure your Windows sound settings as follows:

1. Accessing Output Properties
Open Settings → System → Sound
Select your output device and configure output format.

Under the Output settings:
Set the Format to:
- 16-bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality) or
- 24-bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality)

Choose the option your audio hardware supports. 48000 Hz is the native sample rate used by MSFS.

2. Disable Audio Enhancements
Ensure Audio Enhancements are turned off. These can interfere with the aircraft’s sound layering and create distortion.

3. Disable Spatial Sound
Set Spatial Sound to Off (Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, or DTS should not be used).

Step 3: Realtek Audio Console (If Applicable)

If your system uses Realtek audio drivers, additional adjustments can be made via the Realtek Audio Console.

1. Speaker Tab Settings
- Environment: Set to None
- Loudness Equalization: Disabled
- Speaker Configuration: Set to Stereo or the configuration that matches your physical audio setup. - Equalizer: Ensure the EQ is neutral/default. No bass boost, treble increase, or custom curve should be applied.
The sound pack was designed around a flat frequency response. Using additional equalizers such as Sonar, Dolby Atmos, or virtual surround tools is not supported and will negatively affect the realism and balance of external and cockpit sounds

2. Device Advanced Settings
Open the Device Advanced Settings section.
Under Connector Retasking, if you are using headphones connected to the rear panel, change the Back Panel Output mode to Headphones.

This improves audio clarity and can significantly increase perceived loudness and fidelity when using headphones.

Step 4: Preventing Audio Popping and Crackling (NVIDIA & AMD Users)

If you experience intermittent popping, crackling, or distortion in MSFS, especially while using NVIDIA or AMD GPUs, the issue may be related to unnecessary HDMI audio drivers being installed by default with your graphics driver package.

Important Note:
Only perform this fix if you are NOT using HDMI or DisplayPort audio output (e.g., to a TV or monitor with built-in speakers).
If you are actively using HDMI audio, disabling these drivers will result in loss of sound on that output.

Recommended Actions (NVIDIA):
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Sound, Video and Game Controllers
- Right-click NVIDIA High Definition Audio and select Disable Device
- Expand Audio Inputs and Outputs
- Disable any additional NVIDIA audio-related endpoints listed here

Disabling this device will not impact your GPU’s performance but may resolve audio conflicts or interruptions.

Recommended Actions (AMD):

• Open Device Manager
• Expand Sound, Video and Game Controllers
• Right-click AMD High Definition Audio Device and select Disable Device
• Also check Audio Inputs and Outputs for any AMD HDMI audio endpoints and disable them if not in use

Additional Notes

If you continue to experience issues after completing this setup, ensure your audio drivers are fully up to date.

Avoid using third-party sound enhancement utilities (e.g., Nahimic, Dolby Access, SteelSeries GG, Sonar) when flying using Fenix. These tools are not supported, especially because many of them apply EQ adjustments by default - such as bass boosts, treble filters, or spatial effects - which can significantly alter the balance and clarity of the simulator’s audio.

The sound pack is built around a neutral EQ and flat frequency response. Modifying this with third-party processors can result in unrealistic or degraded audio, including overly loud engine noise, muffled cockpit sounds, or imbalanced spatial cues.