boost sound volume output?

[flame]

Hello

 

Not sure if this is the right forum (sound card) for this question? I've recently bought this p.c, and have been using headphones to listen to music online but, even though the volume control is working ok, set at 100% it is still not very loud! I don't want to buy any new speakers (not supplied with purchase). Is there some way I can boost the volume output through the headphones - an amplifier between the pc and headphones, for example? If so what should I get, and if complicated to set-up, please explain how.

 

Thank you.

 

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Dell Inspiron 530s, E8400 Core2 Duo Processor (3.00 GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 6MB cache), 19-in-1 Media Card reader, Audio Integrated HDA 7.1 Dolby Digital capability.

[BeeCeeBee]

You can just get amplified headphones of course. That being said give this a try: Go into your sound setting in control panel. Where it says speaker volume go to advanced and lie to it. Tell it that it is a laptop using built in speakers. That may boost the volume and if so and the quality is ok then it is a cheap fix. If it doesn't work there is no loss.

 

I am curious to know if it does.

[Match]

I think that the question is how much do you want to spend, at the weekends I link a laptop into a 3k (3000watt PA system) but that will cost around £5000 to set up !!

 

I've had a quick look on the net and there are some gadgets that you can get like These but at the end of the day you will probably do just as well getting some cheap PC speakers with a headphone socket on. like this

 

or you can try Beeceebee's suggestion as that sounds quite feasible and free

[flame]

Nope!

 

Hello BeeCeeBee

 

I went into Control Panel > Sound > Adjust System Volume...already at max!

 

Also looked at: Change System Sounds...can't see a way there; and Manage Audio Devices...or there!

 

There doesn't seem to be an 'advanced' option on Vista, or that enables you to tell it what it's connected to - it looks like it automatically detects what's there.

 

Don't really want to buy new headphones. Any other thoughts?

[BeeCeeBee]

I do not have vista but see the attached from XP there must be something similar.

 

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/sound.png

[flame]

I think that the question is how much do you want to spend, at the weekends I link a laptop into a 3k (3000watt PA system) but that will cost around £5000 to set up !!

 

I've had a quick look on the net and there are some gadgets that you can get like These but at the end of the day you will probably do just as well getting some cheap PC speakers with a headphone socket on. like this

 

or you can try Beeceebee's suggestion as that sounds quite feasible and free

 

I guess one of those amps shown on the Amazon site ('These'), but which one or, is this too much of a techie question? Do I have to consider impedances? The h/phones are Sennheiser HD420 - quite old, but sound ok...would still like to use them.

[flame]

Beeceebee

 

Had another look around Control Panel and at the Hardware Sound section, but can't see a means for Advanced options. Under Speakers, I've got options for 'room effects,' but that's it. If there's a section that allows for Laptop speakers I don't know where to look. Why does M/S always have to mess around with Op Systems, i.e. from how it was with XP?

 

Thanks anyway.

[BeeCeeBee]

I have lead you astray Flame, sorry. I get that option because this actually is a laptop. I did have a problem when I found it set for external speakers and could barely hear on the built in ones.:o

 

There was a time when you could lie but that may have been all the way back to Windows 98. On the other hand maybe one of our members knows if it still can be done.

[Plastic Nev]

There is also one question that needs to be asked, but you will need the computer manual to get the answer, or if a separate sound card, the manual for that. It is one detail seldom found in the software.

 

The question is, what is the rated impedance of the output from the computer, this will be something like 5 ohms or 15 ohms, and what is the impedance of the headphones again either 5 ohms or 15 ohms.

 

If the output is 5 ohms, but the headphones are 15 ohms there will be a severe lack of volume.

The only real way is to match the headphones with the output. Most PC speaker outputs these days are 5 ohms, or even 3 ohms.

 

I hope that isn't too technical for you. I can explain further if needed.

[flame]

There is also one question that needs to be asked, but you will need the computer manual to get the answer, or if a separate sound card, the manual for that. It is one detail seldom found in the software.

 

The question is, what is the rated impedance of the output from the computer, this will be something like 5 ohms or 15 ohms, and what is the impedance of the headphones again either 5 ohms or 15 ohms.

 

If the output is 5 ohms, but the headphones are 15 ohms there will be a severe lack of volume.

The only real way is to match the headphones with the output. Most PC speaker outputs these days are 5 ohms, or even 3 ohms.

 

I hope that isn't too technical for you. I can explain further if needed.

 

Hello plastic nev

 

I've looked online about the headphones: it wasn't easy to find out about them as they're over 20 years old! But an advertisement for spares mentions an 'HD420 capsule, impedance 32. I haven't been able to find out about the pc yet (I'll have to contact their Helpline), but from what you're saying there is a mis-match. It looks as though I'll have to buy some speakers in order to have a phono socket and extra volume control.

 

Many thanks for your inputhttp://extremetechsupport.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Plastic Nev]

Hi again, there is no need for expensive (or even cheap) loudspeakers yet, a pair of I pod headphones will prove the point one way or the other and they can be got for a fairly low price, or even borrow a set for an hour or two. They are usually about 16 ohms impedance, so should prove there is a mismatch problem or not.

see here for a set at less than£3-00

Soyntec Netsound 240 Headphones - Products

Let us know if that does improve the volume or not, so it can be taken further if still a problem.