Headphone output volume low?

**65fastback** · 11-12-2012, 04:18 PM

Anyone else notice this and have a fix? On max volume its just moderately loud.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

**Doomed#AC** · 11-12-2012, 06:47 PM

Mine too, could barely hear it on a plane, don't know of a fix.

**JimboDeany** · 11-13-2012, 03:48 AM

I'm going to be equally unhelpful but I've had the same problem when watching films on the go.

**tflash** · 11-13-2012, 04:47 AM

try the speakerboost app
it boosts the audio output,but it can damage your speakers, or your ears.

**xrayscatter** · 11-13-2012, 05:18 AM

I had the same problem until I figured out I wasn't pushing the headphone jack all the way in. It's a very tight fit, but make sure you push it in all the way.

**65fastback** · 11-13-2012, 09:18 AM

I pushed it in as far as I could get it to go. I know on my touchpad we had to use a speaker boost hack.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

**dcdttu** · 12-03-2012, 05:19 PM

I actually warrantied my phone out because of this. In my car on the same settings I used to listen to music quite loudly on my Galaxy Nexus, I couldn't even hear the Nexus 4's output. I have to turn the sound up all the way on my car stereo to even hear it.

I wonder if mine has an issue that's more than what you guys have...

**jpmist** · 12-03-2012, 08:41 PM

I use Speakerboost also, it works really well. . .

**shontrashi** · 12-03-2012, 09:16 PM

Apples earpod works great on Nexus 7......

**quarky_uk** · 12-04-2012, 09:24 AM

Really?

I just installed speakerboost and my volume is louder with the boost set at 0%. The app is dated 1st of September.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

**philba** · 12-04-2012, 10:32 AM

I've run into something similar to this - it looks like plugging in headphones causes the volume to be turned all the way down. I couldn't repro it but do get a warning when I turn up the volume past some fairly low point - something like "ear damage could occur". Probably a lawyer made them do that.

**tflash** · 12-04-2012, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by quarky_uk

Really?

I just installed speakerboost and my volume is louder with the boost set at 0%. The app is dated 1st of September.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

Used to work - doesn't now. (4.2?)

**Matt Warburton** · 01-22-2013, 03:45 AM

I've tested as many apps as I can find and they either don't work, or in the case of speaker boost actually lower the volume. I'm desperately looking for a fix as at this level my nexus is almost unusable, I can only watch films etc if I'm on my own in a silent room. Even through headphones!

**Kamal Hans** · 01-22-2013, 10:30 AM

I've read of other cases also where Speaker Boost works the other way with JB 4.2.
BTW, I hope the impedance of you headphones is not too high- should be around 16 ohms or so for a device like this.
I have JB 4.1.2 on my N7 ( have resisted the "upgrade" to 4.2.1 inspite of the nagging notification to do so) & have abs no trouble with volume, even with my 32 Ohm Grado's, but 16 ohms is ideal.

**MarkFL88** · 01-22-2013, 07:12 PM

I to am disappointed on the output volume from my Nexus through headphones I can turn the volume all the way up with no problem, it's loud but not as loud as I would like. I did discover that there is an EQ setting in Google music that you can crank up which does help make the music app louder. When I pump my Nexus through a pair of powered speakers it is plenty loud enough. I think the Nexus just has low audio output.

**JDub313** · 01-23-2013, 08:25 AM

I have had the same issue. I was about to go on Amazon for a new pair of headphones for an upcoming trip when I saw this thread.

What kind of headphones are you guys using - in ear, on ear, noise canceling? I use a pair of Sony's that are really for the gym. The are "in-ear" but don't actually seal the ear canal - they just kind of rest in there. I was thinking of getting a pair that creates a tighter seal to eliminate surrounding noise. That or a pair of noise canceling headphones. Has anyone tried different types of headphones and if so what were the results?

**jmaudi0** · 01-23-2013, 11:54 AM

you could buy a portable headphone amp - Fiio E7

**Kamal Hans** · 01-30-2013, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by JDub313

I have had the same issue. I was about to go on Amazon for a new pair of headphones for an upcoming trip when I saw this thread.

What kind of headphones are you guys using - in ear, on ear, noise canceling? I use a pair of Sony's that are really for the gym. The are "in-ear" but don't actually seal the ear canal - they just kind of rest in there. I was thinking of getting a pair that creates a tighter seal to eliminate surrounding noise. That or a pair of noise canceling headphones. Has anyone tried different types of headphones and if so what were the results?

Suggest you pick up a pair of 'in ear' earphones which form a tight seal in the ear canal.The seal cuts out ambient noise quite effectively. You won't need an active noise cancelling earphone then.
Try 'Creative EP 630' in ear earphones for starters- quite reasonably priced,pretty effective noise sealing- cuts it down by 18 to 20 db, good, balanced sound after 50 hrs or so break in, low impedance so the N7 will drive them to high enough volumes & they come with 3 sizes of ear buds for a custom fit.
Thereafter you could consider better, more expensive ones' if you want even more refined sound.

**StarfighterJohansson** · 01-30-2013, 07:55 PM

Isn't it just the safe mode for volume output when using headphones that is accidentally turned on? Have you tried checking out the volume settings?

**JDub313** · 02-04-2013, 03:50 PM

Just to update this thread, I purchased a pair of Phiaton PS 20 NC - in ear headphones for my trip last week and the difference was incredible. I was able to hear everything very clearly and didn't even need the volume turned up all the way. Not sure if it was the noise canceling feature or the fact that they are in-ear, but either way, this was a much better experience.

**mgc789** · 02-05-2013, 06:57 AM

Hi all, I too have noticed the low volume output either via the loud speaker or headphones. I tried Volume+ which worked well at high volume but if the volume was low the loud speaker would emit a small buzzing sound which was very irritating! After searching I found Nexus Louder mod you need to be rooted for it to work. It's great and loud too and I haven't had any issues. The link is here:

**robertlv** · 02-05-2013, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Kamal Hans

I've read of other cases also where Speaker Boost works the other way with JB 4.2.
BTW, I hope the impedance of you headphones is not too high- should be around 16 ohms or so for a device like this.
I have JB 4.1.2 on my N7 ( have resisted the "upgrade" to 4.2.1 inspite of the nagging notification to do so) & have abs no trouble with volume, even with my 32 Ohm Grado's, but 16 ohms is ideal.

There's definitely a volume problem with 4.2.1. I'm using Shure SE215's w/ Fiio E06 Portable Amp and there seems to be about a 25% loss in volume. Hopefully, 4.2.2 will fix the issue.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

**kmrindra** · 02-20-2013, 08:49 PM

My friend who is an audio engineer, measured the audio output from nexus 4.
This is what he recommended.

Use a earphone with 16 ohm impedence. (Most commercial phones are 30 ohm).

The sensitivity of the earphone must be 108 dB/mW or higher. Higher the better.
Sensitivity measures the efficiency of conversion of electrical enery into sound.

Based on this, I bought a JVC HA-F150-B. Now audio volume is practically doubled.
You can buy one at ebay for cheap prices.

**Lazer77** · 04-22-2013, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by kmrindra

My friend who is an audio engineer, measured the audio output from nexus 4.
This is what he recommended.

Use a earphone with 16 ohm impedence. (Most commercial phones are 30 ohm).

The sensitivity of the earphone must be 108 dB/mW or higher. Higher the better.
Sensitivity measures the efficiency of conversion of electrical enery into sound.

Based on this, I bought a JVC HA-F150-B. Now audio volume is practically doubled.
You can buy one at ebay for cheap prices.

I can confirm this does NOT work, and makes absolutely no difference. I purchased those headphones for $14 and its absolutely the same...

**Lazer77** · 04-22-2013, 05:26 PM

Does anyone have any clue what to do? I tried everything I could find online and nothing works. I am leaving the country in two weeks and I would like to watch some movies to sort of ease my mind a bit. I know it will be virtually impossible to hear anything with MX Player right now, which already boosts volume. I am using Android 4.2.2 rooted. None of the volume boost apps make a difference, in fact most of them just REDUCE the volume.

A little frustrated because I spent a lot of money on this tablet to watch movies on the flight, but the volume output will make that impossible. Anyone know?