Volume not loud enough - how do I bypass volume limit?

[aquadrunk]

This is possibly an update but on searching google, this thread was the top hit and the actual answer is not in here.

Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Select Your Output on the Playback Tab > Properties > Enhancements Tab > Enable "Loudness Equalization"

I'm not sure if this will push the sound levels above a threshold but it should fix problems with things being too quiet at the OS level.

Just wanted to put an actual useful answer in this thread for future searchers.

I was feeling good about this, until I realized there was nothing labeled "Loudness Equalization" to be found...

Anyone know what the deal might be for me? Ugh.

 

[Mike Connor]

If you want "loud", then you need an amplifier that will do it. The output signal strength from the output sockets has virtually nothing to do with Windows 7 per se, it is dependent on the hardware you use. Some software can increase the output, but usually at the cost of quality.

The usual "el cheapo" active speakers sold as "Computer Speakers" wont do you much good either in respect of "loud" or "quality" either.

If you want really good sound, patch a cable to your sound equipment. If you don't have any sound equipment as such, then something like this is also pretty good;

Amazon.com: Logitech Z-3e Premium 3-Piece Computer Speaker System: European Version: Electronics


Amazon.com: Logitech Z-4 2.1 Speaker System with Subwoofer (Black): Electronics

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[aquadrunk]

Thanks for the insight, Mike.

Maybe I'm just SOL on this, but 9/10, I'm using headphones with my laptop. So, hooking up speakers, obviously, wouldn't do me any good. Guess I'm looking for some way to gas up the overall 'power' or sound level of the computer itself. It might be impossible - not sure and if you can't tell, I'm not the savviest - that's why I took to Google on this. This is the first time I've ever had this problem with a computer's default "100%" volume level being so damn quiet. I'm listening to Mediamonkey as I type this and I've tweaked the equalizer on there to get a little more gas and have accepted the sound quality taking a hit, but there has to be a better way for everyday use...or, maybe there's not!

 

[Jacee]

Please look at this post and see if you have set the sound to "set to DVD quality"
http://www.sevenforums.com/sound-audio/21089-low-sound-volume.html#post234986

 

[aquadrunk]

Please look at this post and see if you have set the sound to "set to DVD quality"
http://www.sevenforums.com/sound-audio/21089-low-sound-volume.html#post234986

Nope, but thanks - 24bit Studio Quality :huh:

 

[Mike Connor]

It sounds as if the output socket is not producing enough of a signal for your headphones. Maybe you need other headphones. Ear buds usually give much better sound volume, as they do not require so much power to drive them.

You can also try this;

Battery Headphone Amplifier - Battery Headphone Amp - Fireye 1 Micro Headphone Amplifier

Here are some more;

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=headphone+amp&x=0&y=0

http://www.thegadgetssite.com/Amps/Amps.html

http://www.amazon.de/s/ref=nb_sb_no...ctronics&field-keywords=headphone+amp&x=0&y=0

and a google search for "Battery headphone amplifier" will turn up a lot more in various price ranges and quality.

here a few images;

http://www.google.de/search?q=Headp...TusgbNkszrAw&ved=0CDAQsAQ4Cg&biw=1405&bih=827

If you are handy with a soldering iron you can easily build one yourself;

http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/

http://gilmore2.chem.northwestern.edu/projects/index.htm

There are also various kits available. Even a pretty good battery amplifier for your needs wont cost more than about 20$ maximm if you build it yourself;

http://www.amb.org/audio/

There are also some very high quality kits available for driving high end headphones;

http://www.diy-audio-kits.com/kits/novo-headphone-amplifier.htm

there are quite a few similar products available on the market, which will solve all your problems, which in my opinion are simply due to lack of signal strength at the output sockets.

These problems are very common with a lot of portable equipment. Many devices simply do not provide sufficient signal strength to drive good quality earphones.

All "Computer speakers" are active speakers. They have amplifiers built in. Headphones normally don't, they depend on the signal strength of the output. This is a physical limit, you can not change it by using software. To make it louder you have to amplify the signal.


Some more info;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphone_amplifier


Regards....Mike Connor

 

[Audasiti]

I have the same problem - windows 7 audio is way more quiet then in vista! I will try the creative drivers instead of the built-in ones and will see...

Thats what i did for my laptop i can now hear my music hahaha, Get modified drivers and install them, Simple Google search will get you there

 

[fseal]

I use an M-Audio Delta44 with preamp breakout box to a pair of studio monitors and the volume is SCREAMING. If anything it's TOO loud. The volume is huge with the app volume sliders at like 20%, Windows 7 mixers at 100% and the preamp set at maybe 25%

This behavios seemed identical to when I had the setup on XP.

So yeah, this has a lot more to do with the hardware and drivers than anything else I think. If you want real audiophile sound output and no nonsense, maybe think about getting a real audiophile/no nosense audio card?

 

[brooksy1290]

just found this our hope it helps

set ure audio output jack to headphones tripples the volume in my case i ahve realtek audio card so all i had to do was go in the the realtek manager move mouse over the jack and click props and change it

 

[Imperfect1]

For those folks who are just having a problem choosing the best settings for maximum volume, here's some suggestions:

First, go to Control Panel, Sound (or Hardware + Sound, then Sound), and select Playback
Double-click “Speaker + Dual Headphones” and select Properties, then Advanced, and set the ‘Default Format’ drop-down menu to: 16 bit, 48,000 Hz (DVD quality). You can test each of the different choices to make sure that’s the loudest.

Then open RealTek HD Audio Manager (or whatever audio manager app you have), click on Speakers, and follow on-screen directions to set maximum volume.

Then go to Control Panel + open IDT Audio, Playback
Select “Speakers and Dual Headphones”
Follow on-screen directions for Settings, Setup and Equalization.

 

[Vertex]

Buy a stereo headset with a stronger dB (decibel) output and you'll get a louder sound but be careful, loud music can impair your hearing. I learned this myself by frequently having max volume on my headset and playing drums quite often. Now, I felt I had trouble hearing what other people say sometimes. Or if you don't bother spending money, get a 5 in 1 speaker system.

By the way, Linux operating systems produce loud sound and by default, the volume is not even max. If you max a Linux's volume control, its 15-20% louder than max volume on Windows but Windows' sound quality is a bit clearer....anyway Linux's are louder with sound output. I use Linux Mint 9 and I seem to prefer it more when playing music like Mp3's or watching Youtube than Windows because its LOUDER definitely.

 

[fseal]

Yeah, VLC can make the volume louder (Volume goes to 200!), but a lot of times that's at the expense of audio Quality. It's just amplifying the signal in software which then clips the peaks that are there and eventually flattens the dynamic range and destroys the SNR Though in an emergency, if you want to hear something that's very quiet, it comes in handy...

 

[bitsmt]

Imperfect1 response is in the right direction.

The Volume control requires drivers, which have the hard coded upper and lower limitations. Manufactures put this in place to prevent you from blowing your speakers or internal amplifier. It can be bypassed, using two options. Only ONE is a universal solutions.

Option 1: Check to see if you is the ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) for your computer. There may be a better driver. (I.E. Clevo, Compal, Quanta, Wistron...)
Option 2: Reverse engineer the drivers and determine how to edit the upper and lower limits. (Could be as easy as a registry edit or ini file mod).
Option 3: Install a Media Player (such as VLAN's VLC) that will allow you to bypass the upper limit.

Option three is the easiest.

How do I know?
1. If you ever had an M2400 with XP64 or W764, you'll find the M$ drivers provide louder volume control than the Manufacture ones.
2. There are news threads out there that show you how to edit the file in the drivers that alters the upper limit (sorry, can't remember the linky). I.E.: Search http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com.

Buena suerte!

P.S. VLAN has (advanced) settings that does let you go way, WAY beyond 200%. Not recommended.

 

[kentucky777]

setup your loudness setting in your speaker in control panel heres the screenshot

 

[xarden]

I'm somewhat horrified to see some of the suggestions here...

Protect your equipment, and use an amp and some proper speakers.

 

[fseal]

Heh yeah, the REAL solution is to use externally amplified speakers....

I have to keep the volume on my studio monitors to about 25% or I'll blow my ears out.

 

[DrToxic]

I use optical out to my sound coversion box, and i've never had anything on my pc set below 100%... (though the self-amped speakers...different story)...

seriously, you want it louder? buy an amplifier and some bigger speakers...

Just dont forget, if you decide to go stupid on how big your getting, keep them away from your PC, the magnetic field will format your HDD for you.

"carelessness causes loss of data"

 

[Zepher]

I use optical out to my sound coversion box, and i've never had anything on my pc set below 100%... (though the self-amped speakers...different story)...

seriously, you want it louder? buy an amplifier and some bigger speakers...

Just dont forget, if you decide to go stupid on how big your getting, keep them away from your PC, the magnetic field will format your HDD for you.

"carelessness causes loss of data"

You'd need a speaker with a very strong magnet and you would have to have the hard drive basically attached to the speakers magnet to cause any damage or data loss.

 

[xarden]

I use optical out to my sound coversion box, and i've never had anything on my pc set below 100%... (though the self-amped speakers...different story)...

seriously, you want it louder? buy an amplifier and some bigger speakers...

Just dont forget, if you decide to go stupid on how big your getting, keep them away from your PC, the magnetic field will format your HDD for you.

"carelessness causes loss of data"

You'd need a speaker with a very strong magnet and you would have to have the hard drive basically attached to the speakers magnet to cause any damage or data loss.

Agreed.
If you hold a harddrive in front of a PA speaker cone, you'll be safe.
The only way you'l get any type of magnetic interference is if you hold the drive right up to the PA speaker magnet itself.
PA speakers are a massive overkill for a PC anyway, unless you plan on filling a hall or auditorium. In which case you wouldnt have the PC anywhere near the speakers anyway.

You're not wrong, DrToxic. But just a bit out of context

 

[fseal]

Used to be a big problem back in the old CRT days... Most studio monitors and larger computer specific speakers are magnetically shielded.

Though with LCDs it's not really a problem any more...