Need help on enchancing bass..

So i bought a new pair of altec lansing to replace my faulty one, but only to realize this one has really weak bass (right, i'm cheap and didn't get the subwoofer). So are there any software that can help me increase the bass? I've tried a few but they make the music sound distorted and weird. Thanks.

 

there's really no way to truly enhance bass since bass is only perceived and not really there... yeah

okok enough playing with words. this is what you want to do:
instead of increasing the bass response in your music or whatever, you DECREASE everything else using an eq. so the bass will have a gain of 0 while everything else will have a negative gain
why you ask?
a computer and any audio equipment connected to it can only take something in so loud before it hits the ceiling. usually, bass is the one that hits the ceiling in music and movies. so instead of making the bass "taller" and give it a hunch like that dude from notre dame, you make everyone else "shorter" so the bass still has room above his head. this way, you won't hear distortion or clipping as easily. although you'll probably need to raise the gain on your speakers a bit more.

oh, and sorry for the lost in translation thing; it's the best way i can think of explaining it

 

You know, actually the windows media player's SRS WoW effect's TruBass is quite convincing, too bad it gets distorted when it gets loud.

Ah well, i think i'll go back for a subwoofer

 

'Strogg' seems to be steering you in the right direction -if you have no dedicated Bass channel (ie:sub-woofer, or speakers with good Bass response) then you are left with EQ-ing the source... ..while it is do-able if you have the proper software (like Wavelab) it is time consuming and probably not worth the effort. Unless you are EQ-ing your own recorded soundfiles I'd suggest coughing up the extra $$$ for some new speakers or a new soundcard.(Remember: no dedicated sub-woofer is necesary!)
To directly answer your question: Yes, Software can help. -But Again, unless you're mixing your own recordings I would suggest getting speakers with better Bass responce -or getting a sub-woofer.
[as an aside: if you have decent stereo speakers (ie, just left and right) then you shouldn't *need* a sub-woofer)] -as an example: I consider myself a bit of an 'audiophile' -and I have NO subwoofer. -I even record/mix/master my own recordings -and for basic mixing I see no need for a subwoofer. -When I want something 'proffesionally done' (ie: something that is to be mass-produced) I send it to studios with *all* channels available. -But for the basic stuff I rely on a Soundblaster Audigy with a 'decent set of stereo speakers.
-Hope that helps.
Yours,
522.

 

Thanks for your help guys. I have another question. My previous pair of speakers, which has great sound and bass, goes berserk (makes a really loud,weird noise) when it gets louder than a certain decibel. ex. when i'm watching a movie, and when a action scene kicks in with a loud sound(gunshot etc.)it makes a weird noise, drowning everything else. And it's really loud. Any idea what's wrong? And does different sound card really makes the sound different, or just the extra functions? Sorry for throwing so many questions out.

 

coinbox: it's hard to tell what your problem is without hearing the sound itself -or without testing the speakers, or soundcard. The most likely problem is that your speaker(s) has/have blown. -If that's the case the "...really loud, weird noise"... would probably sound like the audio is farting -literally.
Can you tell if it is happening on BOTH speakers, or just one?; does it happen at the same volume on each speaker?
If you determine that it is the speaker(s) then they can be 'reconed' -but you'd only want to do that if the speaker(s) is/are expensive, or if you love them a lot.
As for your question about soundcards: yes they do make a big difference but the difference won't matter if your speakers are super-cheap. For play-back of mp3s you can really use a pretty inexpensive soundcard (even built into your mother board) and hear good results. If you're really into audio quality than get a mid-range consumer card (like the SB Audigy). If your rich -or are into recording you could spend a lot: The guy who does our recordings has a MOTU that set him back about 2000$
Yours,
522.