--- a/lib/extrasInit.tcl
+++ b/lib/extrasInit.tcl
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ so you may prefer to do this manually by
 "Enables the window that summarizes your sequences.
 (Sequences Window Preferences.)" }
 
-	{ sound(enabled) soundEnabled ON {Sound feedback}
+	{ sound(enabled) soundEnabled OFF {Sound feedback}
 "Enable audio feedback.  Exmh will make a sound when
 new messages are incorporated into your folders
 (except during startup) and when you try to change
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ proc Sound_Init {} {
     Preferences_Add "Sound" \
 "Exmh can provide audio feedback.  It can ring your terminal bell, or play audio files." \
     [list \
-	{ sound(enabled) soundEnabled ON {Sound feedback}
+	{ sound(enabled) soundEnabled OFF {Sound feedback}
 "Enable audio feedback.  Exmh will make a sound when
 new messages are incorporated into your folders
 (except during startup) and when you try to change
@@ -386,7 +386,9 @@ in the background if three sounds were t
 	[list sound(cmd) soundCmd $cmd {Play command} \
 "The command line used to play audio files.  You may want
 to add flags to control the volume, for example.  The
-name of the audio file is appended to this command line."] \
+name of the audio file is appended to this command line,
+and the program is run in the background.
+Common choices: \"play -q\", \"paplay\", \"run-mailcap\"."] \
 	[list sound(newMsg) soundNewMsg drip.au {Sound for a new message} \
 "The name of an audio file to play when
 new messages have arrived.  Relative pathnames are
