Headphone output volume low?

[jerrykur]

Anyone tried this unit? Amazon.com: FiiO E5 Headphone Amplifier: Electronics

I am going to blame the EU on this one. They made a stink about the volume on PMP (Personal Music Players) being too loud and the companies started cutting back on the volume. One device I have, Sansa Clip, has different max volumes depending upon the region setting. Set it to US and it gets much louder.

 

[Lazer77]

Anyone tried this unit? Amazon.com: FiiO E5 Headphone Amplifier: Electronics

I am going to blame the EU on this one. They made a stink about the volume on PMP (Personal Music Players) being too loud and the companies started cutting back on the volume. One device I have, Sansa Clip, has different max volumes depending upon the region setting. Set it to US and it gets much louder.

Ahh I wish I saw this earlier :[ I leave next Tuesday morning so I can't order it now and have it by then, at least comfortably. I only need it for this trip really.

 

[AndroidArmageddon]

This is nuts. I can't listen to music since the earphone volume is so weak that noise pollution of city life will drown the nexus output volume out.
Here's what's bad, when I received a call with my headphones plugged in, during the call the volume was very loud. Now I have to use my One X if I want to listen to music on the go.

 

[rustysawdust]

I have an Asus Transformer TF700 and after writing to their tech support they actually released a firmware which (slightly) increased the volume. Unfortunately it seems like it's back down again after I upgraded to 4.2.1. I wrote to them again; perhaps if everyone contacts their manufacturers they'll get the message that we can be responsible for our own hearing and that they don't need to cripple the output!

 

[Chris Banzet]

I've been trying to learn more about this low volume scenario too. And it's not just with certain manufacturers, this has to be a google Android problem directly. I have a Notes II cell phone and a Asus TF700 tablet, along with some other employees of mine, we're all experiencing the same problem.

If you think it's bad with a speaker that plugs in, try it with a "bluetooth" speaker, it so incredibly bad that the volume bleeds out to literally nothing. And the louder you turn up the speaker, the quieter the volume becomes!!

To use the term frustrating is an understatement... I'm speaking japanese at the top of my voice at my radio in my car... Yes, I know, therapy is coming... But I drive a lot with my job and I just invested a lot of money for training seminars that are on my cell phone and tablet. I like to listen to self-improvement seminars while I drive. This "problem" seems to be happening on every single "android" loaded software device. Not just hardware problem.

Can someone post the "complaint" email address so that we can all FLOOD android's email box in hopes they make this "issue" a top priority??

 

[Scott Brightman]

Posting this for anyone else Googling this problem.

Only thing I found was to install a media player app called XBMC. It's not in Google Play but can be downloaded and installed as a normal third party app:

HOW-TO:Install XBMC for Android - XBMC

When playing movies and music with this app, there is an inbuilt amplifier setting which will get you the boosted sound you are after without rooting and external hardware. I'm running Nexus 7 with Jellybean 4.2.2. I found XBMC to be a great media playing in it's own right too...

 

[Zac Doscher]

I've found that modding the Beats equalizer onto the Nexus 7 really helped my audio output issues with the boost options it provides. It was really simple to put onto my device; however, I have noticed that the equalizer only seems to have a effect when using Google Play Music. This could just be my perception, though. Either way, it might help someone. NOTE: I believe you have to be rooted to use this. Here is a how-to article if you're interested:
How to Get Beats Audio on Your Nexus 7 and Take Your Music to Another Level ? Google Nexus 7 SoftModder

 

[Scooby Snook]

Ipod headphones worked great for me. Had regular earbuds and I could barely hear movies and music. Tried the volume boosting apps, which actually lowered the volume. Thank you to the person that suggested the ipod headphones.

 

[Droidful]

@Scott, Thanks for the link it looks like a Stellar program but this fontis way to Small. the way to increase that I could find. So I rechecked my favorite playerpro, I found a switch in Settings/ audio / native :checked box native effects and now I need to be careful not to blow my ears. I also set the audio priority to max. I only need for podcasts and music while on motorcycle for now.

Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[Rich Brown1]

I've given up. I bought SkullCandy headphones...no improvement...even with the bass amplifier turned up. Bought a set of Bose QC2 noise cancelling headphones....again...no improvement. Now I just watch movies on my HTC DNA cellphone which provides much more sound with the Bose. Granted, I'm on an airplane, but if I listen to music, it kicks ****....try a movie and you can barely hear it. This is definitely an issue with Jelly Bean.

 

[sparksd]

I've given up. I bought SkullCandy headphones...no improvement...even with the bass amplifier turned up. Bought a set of Bose QC2 noise cancelling headphones....again...no improvement. Now I just watch movies on my HTC DNA cellphone which provides much more sound with the Bose. Granted, I'm on an airplane, but if I listen to music, it kicks ****....try a movie and you can barely hear it. This is definitely an issue with Jelly Bean.

Have you updated to 4.3? Again, I highly recommend the FiiO amp.

 

[ProfessorLemur]

Quick bump of this thread to give advice:
If you're using Speaker Boost, I recommend you ditch it. The makers look like they don't care about the app anymore. If you get PlayerPro and its accompanying audio pack, you can kick the pre-amp to the max, so there won't be any need for Speaker Boost. Hope this helps.

 

[No Name3]

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

surprised...this app worked pretty good.....Never thought my nex would get this loud

Update...my mistake speakerboost wasn't good.....tried the pro player other suggested....love it..the bass is sick....still need something louder though....I want something so loud that I don't have to turn it all the way up to get good volume

 

[LuvlyLondon118]

The volume level is set at about 50% when you have the headphone jack inserted. When you increase the volume level, it immediately reverts to the lower level when you close the settings. What I want to know is. Why did the reviewers who gave the Nexus 7 such glowing reports, not pick up on this? I'm regretting buying this pile of junk now.

 

[andreaaaas]

Have same issue with Samsung S4. Volume boost and max volume is similar to 10% volume of my previous phone (iPhone 4s).

Tried with some extremely loud headphones I usually only use when DJing (over 200 bucks), could not have more than 30% of max before w/o bleeding ears. The main issue however is that the volume "turns normal" when talking on the phone, which makes the experience very painful. Also, it usually turns somewhat normal for 1/4s when changing song manually. Seems to be some glitch, or sound limiter of sort.

Tried the volume booster (a bit louder on 0%, but lowers volume when increasing (???))

Anyone have a fix for the Samsung S4, cause' it's pissing me of...

 

[jdm417]

Stumbled onto this thread when my new Note 3 had terribly low output volume...through headphones and in my car. I use Google Play Music as my player. I fixed my issue by going into the settings and toggling my Equalizer on and off...the sound immediately went to normal! I'm hoping it's this easy for you Nexus 7 crowd! Whatever player you use just try to turn on/off your equalizer and see if it works....worth a try!

 

[lirong]

I have not found a good software fix for this and its really disappointing as it has a major impact on the usefulness of the Nexus 7 as a media device when traveling.

However, based on the recommendation above I tried the FIIO amp and it does help A LOT.

 

[Steviegz]

Guys one and only solution for 4.2.2 but it's a rather decent one. Download XBCM media player (just google it). Kind of awkward interface fr 50MB+ but plays any media and boosts volume to levels unheard of even on an iPhone. Watch your ears and your speakers tho

 

[Bernard Mifsud]

The XBMC actually works and solved my issue!!

 

[markskinner]

New Nexus 7 Headphones Volume Restriction SIMPLE Override Instructions



1. Switch on the nexus 7
2. Headphones must be plugged in to the nexus 7
3. Press and hold the hard volume rocker + switch until the following message appears:-
Raise volume above recommended level?
Listening at high volume for long periods may damage your health
Cancel OK
4. You may now go into a video or audio program and adjust the volume from 0% to 100%
5. Repeat each time the nexus is switched on BUT please don't damage your ears!
6. Thank to the new Manager of Currys PCWorld, Witney Branch, for obtaining this information