should i use 100% volume when connecting to a external speaker

[qdwang]

Laptop: macbook air
Speaker: iloud micro monitor

I connect them directly though the macbook's headphone jack port.

One myth is that lower the volume though software will decrease the bits of the audio which could decrease the quality of the sound.

So for the best sound quality, should I set the volume to 0db(100%) in macos volume control and only control the volume from the speaker?

Or am i free to use any % of volume in macos?

Thanks~

 

[twsecrest]

Better to send a strong signal to the speakers, so set source (Macbook) to 100% volume.
Or at least close to 100%, in case of noise issue.

 

[AdamG]

It is possible to cause signal clipping from the source. If you don’t hear any harshness or distortion your probably fine. But to be safe, I always drop the volume of the source one click to just under 100% output volume to avoid signal clipping. This is all dependent on the device’s in use. So my suggestion is just my rule of thumb.

 

[qdwang]

Better to send a strong signal to the speakers, so set source (Macbook) to 100% volume.
Or at least close to 100%, in case of noise issue.

It is possible to cause signal clipping from the source. If you don’t hear any harshness or distortion your probably fine. But to be safe, I always drop the volume of the source one click to just under 100% output volume to avoid signal clipping. This is all dependent on the device’s in use. So my suggestion is just my rule of thumb.

Great, thanks. I think I'll use the 70% - 100% volume.

 

[Somafunk]

If you have a few £/$ to spare then a Topping E30 would be an improvement over the MacBook dac although the new M1 MacBook‘s have a good dac anyway.

 

[AdamG]

Great, thanks. I think I'll use the 70% - 100% volume.

A little more about Source Signal Clipping. When you overdrive your Source (iPhone, Mac, pc, Droid phone, ect) you induce distortion into the audio signal. This signal now contains distortion in it and when you feed that into your Amplification stage. The Amp doesn’t know or care, it’s job is to Amplify the signal. So you end up with Amplified distortion pushed to your speakers. The level of distortion will remain at all volume levels for the Amp. Another words the distortion is now baked in. Good luck sir.

One of the best things about this place is if I got any of the above wrong. Someone will be along shortly to Correct Me. You get Bonus points here for Correcting a Moderator!

 

[dasdoing]

the output seams to be auto-sensing: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212856

so it should output line-level at 100%.

now there exist 2 line levels: +4 dBu and -10 dBV

the Iloud has a switch for those, question is what the Mac uses, probably -10dBV


----


about distorsion: a line level should never distort.
now if it was head-phone level it could in theory exceed the maximum input level of the monitor (which should be above +4 dBu).

 

[Lambda]

Most DACs have best performance at 100% or 0dB
same with my iphone.
I have no measurements to prove this but i assume its the same for a Mac book.

 

[Tom C]

The only arguments I’ve ever seen advocating for software volume at 100% or 0dB are based on theory. In practice, there is some variability in the exact output voltage available from a DAC, and some variability in input sensitivity and headroom present in the receiving stage (pre-amp input, power amp input, or powered speaker input). There is also very significant variability in the volume levels of the recordings themselves. I find setting software volume on the player at 100% gives acceptable results most of the time, but there is an improvement to be had by setting the software volume slider of the player to, say, 75%. This helps a great deal with peaks and crescendos that would otherwise cause gain mismatch between the stages. Try it, if you never have, and if you think I’m full of it, suit yourself.

 

[dasdoing]

what does actualy happen if you feed an amplified signal into another amp? let's say the first one is set to 20dBu, and the second one expects 4dBu. No question the second one will distort at some point. but if you keep it a low gain level, will it distort?

 

[ryanosaur]

You get Bonus points here for Correcting a Moderator!

Is that like an extra 3 days vacation added to the 7 for p!ssing a Mod off in the first place?

OK, kidding aside, I agree completely that you should run the output slightly below max. I usually go for 2-3 clicks under, and I always keep my ears open when streaming something... especially from YouTube. I always turn the Master Volume down when I start a video from there. (Have heard more than a few stories about people frying their gear with YT vids!) Same should apply to any streaming though.

 

[Tom C]

No, as long as the level is low enough.
The signal level normally varies constantly.

 

[Lambda]

agree completely that you should run the output slightly below max. I usually go for 2-3 clicks under,

Another audiosciencereview channel full of anecdotal forum knowledge

Never had any apple device distort at 0dB.
I’m waiting for any evidence / measurements.

The only arguments I’ve ever seen advocating for software volume at 100% or 0dB are based on theory.

Only on theory? this is audiosciencereview. if you can't provide any measurements theory is the best thing we have.

 

[Tom C]

As I say, suit yourself.
Have you tried it?

 

[dasdoing]

No, as long as the level is low enough.
The signal level normally varies constantly.

if this was a reply to me you did contradict yourself, since as long as you keeping the gains in it's limit, the analog output voltage shouldn't matter.
now on the other hand I remember there have been badly designed DACs tested here that would distort at 100% volume. but that would be a fail, not the norm

 

[Tom C]

It was a reply to you.
I‘m sorry, the contradiction is not clear to me. If you turn down the level on the first stage to below what the second is unable to handle, no distortion. As far as I can tell that is consistent with my experience and current practice.

 

[dasdoing]

I‘m sorry, the contradiction is not clear to me.

you said

there is some variability in the exact output voltage available from a DAC

which shouldn't matter if you don't overdo the gain on the AMP.

 

[Tom C]

you said



which shouldn't matter if you don't overdo the gain on the AMP.

Agreed. My personal method of implementing what you say here is to put software volume at 75% or thereabouts. It keeps me from overdoing the gain.

 

[DanielT]

My tip, start at the other end. Test how good you are at detecting differences. If you're lucky, you're not that good and don't have to worry too much. If so, turn up the gain/volume as you feel, listen to the music and enjoy it.

Blind Testing a 1 dB Level Difference

Discover the smallest difference in level (dB) you can reliably hear.

www.audiocheck.net

How Much Distortion Can you Hear?

An interesting test probably posted before although it didn't come up in a search. Also try difference sources ie ear phones vs speakers.

audiosciencereview.com

With that said, audible hum, noise, poorly grounded stuff can sound really bad. Stuff driven into clipping can sound awfully bad. You know small clock radio, a bad old car stereo and so on. That also sounds really bad.

Speakers, amp, digital..??:

Insanely distorting speakers or amplifiers driven into clipping?

What do you think. I tried turning the volume up a lot on my Tablet, a Lenovo Yoga. I listened to my Lenovo, with its built-inthe amplifier / speakers. It sounded ... too damn bad. What do you think it depends on? The amplifier that is driven into the clipping or the speakers that start to...

audiosciencereview.com

Good distortion I leave to the musicians who play electric guitar to decide if they want to add as their artistic expression. Then it's perfectly fine. Sometimes then more than ok. What would we be without distorted howling electric guitars?

 

[Lambda]

As I say, suit yourself.
Have you tried it?

Yes as i said non of my apple devices have worse THD+N at full volume.

Only device i have ist the UMC202HD and i fixed it.

Behringer UMC204 Headphone Gain mod

For so reason the this interface is designed in a way has way more Analog gain than it can Handel Since everything is powered from 5V with a 2,5V virtual ground it can relay only output about 1Vrms 1Vrms corresponds the volume potentiometer at 12 o'clock. everything over this will result in...

www.audiosciencereview.com