Troubleshooting

Audio Latency Issues

Room correction adds some processing delay. While this is inaudible for music listening, it can cause issues with video playback or real-time applications.

5 min readLast updated: January 2025

Understanding Latency Sources

Total latency in Sounn comes from several sources:

SourceTypical LatencyAdjustable?
Audio buffer5-20 msYes
IIR filter<1 msNo (negligible)
FIR filter (short)~170 msYes
FIR filter (medium)~340 msYes
FIR filter (long)~680 msYes

FIR Latency is Intentional

FIR filter latency isn't a bug—it's required for accurate low-frequency correction. Longer filters correct deeper bass problems but add more delay.

Solutions by Use Case

For pure music listening, latency generally doesn't matter. You won't hear a half-second delay when pressing play.

Use the longest FIR filter your system supports for maximum bass correction. The latency is completely transparent during playback.

Checking Current Latency

Sounn displays current system latency in Settings > Audio:

  • Buffer latency: From audio buffer settings
  • Filter latency: From current filter settings
  • Total latency: Combined processing delay

Adjusting Buffer Size

Smaller audio buffers reduce latency but increase CPU load and risk of dropouts:

  • 64 samples: ~1.5ms at 48kHz, requires fast CPU
  • 128 samples: ~3ms at 48kHz, good balance
  • 256 samples: ~5ms at 48kHz, safe default
  • 512 samples: ~10ms at 48kHz, very stable

If you experience audio dropouts or glitches, increase buffer size. If latency is critical and your system is stable, decrease it.