Volume boost

[kemmler3D]

It looks like these headphones don't actually have an analog input, i.e. a 3.5mm or "aux" port.

As such, the maximum volume is the maximum volume. The amplifier is inside the headphone, giving it a louder signal over Bluetooth won't do anything. Bluetooth is digital and digital doesn't work like that. Once it's maxed out, that's it.

Try turning off ANC modes to squeeze more headroom out, though. Other than that, you will need to look for different headphones if you need louder volumes.

 

[ladybug]

It looks like these headphones don't actually have an analog input, i.e. a 3.5mm or "aux" port.

As such, the maximum volume is the maximum volume. The amplifier is inside the headphone, giving it a louder signal over Bluetooth won't do anything. Bluetooth is digital and digital doesn't work like that. Once it's maxed out, that's it.

Try turning off ANC modes to squeeze more headroom out, though. Other than that, you will need to look for different headphones if you need louder volumes.

Dang it, well alright. Maybe I will just start looking for other headphones or just decide I am sticking with those and reform my ways of listening to loud volumes which is probably bad anyway. If anyone else has other suggestions of course they are welcome but that seems the answer since I have been at this for some time and no one including me has come up with another solution. I was hoping using a wireless amp so giving it a louder signal would drive the amp inside the headphones more but if it doesn't then there is no way to fix that yeah. Apart from buy more powerful ones. Any chance the amp is not driven at its maximum power by design and this can be affected somehow without modifying the headphones? Can I measure that scientifically? And compare it with some specs of the amplifier chip/thing itself?

 

[kemmler3D]

Any chance the amp is not driven at its maximum power by design and this can be affected somehow without modifying the headphones? Can I measure that scientifically? And compare it with some specs of the amplifier chip/thing itself?

It's possible that they don't drive the amp to its maximum by design. There are rules in the EU about maximum headphone volume, they aren't supposed to go above a certain level, so it's possible and even likely that they have shipped the same version globally.

As you note, listening really loud is bad for your hearing, so if you can it would be better to just get used to lower SPL.

If you are good with electronics, it is possible to take apart the headphones and determine whether the amp is putting out its maximum power. However, you would need the dev kit to reprogram the module for higher output, I would expect that in most cases it's a firmware setting and not a resistor they put on the board or anything like that. Those can sometimes be found on Alibaba but they tend to cost as much as these headphones do.

To me this would be way more work than a $50 pair of headphones is worth. Also, they're often assembled in a way that makes it impossible to take apart without ruining the headphone. Something to consider also.

If I were you, I'd just email Edifier and see if they have a firmware version with higher output enabled. It's possible there is an EU, China, and US firmware and maybe you have the quieter EU one. In that case, it might be a simple upgrade.

 

[ladybug]

It's possible that they don't drive the amp to its maximum by design. There are rules in the EU about maximum headphone volume, they aren't supposed to go above a certain level, so it's possible and even likely that they have shipped the same version globally.

As you note, listening really loud is bad for your hearing, so if you can it would be better to just get used to lower SPL.

If you are good with electronics, it is possible to take apart the headphones and determine whether the amp is putting out its maximum power. However, you would need the dev kit to reprogram the module for higher output, I would expect that in most cases it's a firmware setting and not a resistor they put on the board or anything like that. Those can sometimes be found on Alibaba but they tend to cost as much as these headphones do.

To me this would be way more work than a $50 pair of headphones is worth. Also, they're often assembled in a way that makes it impossible to take apart without ruining the headphone. Something to consider also.

If I were you, I'd just email Edifier and see if they have a firmware version with higher output enabled. It's possible there is an EU, China, and US firmware and maybe you have the quieter EU one. In that case, it might be a simple upgrade.

Hmm yes I will look into that thanks! Don't worry modifying them myself is not an option for me anyway. I am not good with that. I will also ask them about specs for the amplifier chip itself if I can't find them on google. And we will see from there. So should I understand there is no way to affect the amp with external amps/apps etc.?

 

[kemmler3D]

should I understand there is no way to affect the amp with external amps/apps etc.?

If you are hearing the same thing from different BT sources then I think what you hear is what you get.

With certain tracks, it's possible to boost the volume using apps (if the digital audio is not using the full available headroom) but otherwise there's no way to feed it a louder signal, normally it just creates distortion because you're trying to feed it a signal that is beyond 100%.

I will also ask them about specs for the amplifier chip itself if I can't find them on google.

If you don't get a clear answer you might ask about Bluetooth module or "SOC", often the bluetooth chip, DSP and amplifier come together in a single part.

 

[obsessive9119]

Have you tried unpairing all devices from the headphones? I’ve had weird things happen with volume levels on Bluetooth headphones when they’re paired to multiple devices.

 

[raindance]

yeah so what about the amp? Whatever I asked about it

There's no need to be rude. I simply told you your idea wouldn't work.

 

[ladybug]

There's no need to be rude. I simply told you your idea wouldn't work.

not rude sorry if it came across that way, just was too lazy to type more and I didn't want to repeat myself.

 

[ladybug]

If you are hearing the same thing from different BT sources then I think what you hear is what you get.

With certain tracks, it's possible to boost the volume using apps (if the digital audio is not using the full available headroom) but otherwise there's no way to feed it a louder signal, normally it just creates distortion because you're trying to feed it a signal that is beyond 100%.

If you don't get a clear answer you might ask about Bluetooth module or "SOC", often the bluetooth chip, DSP and amplifier come together in a single part.

actually no different bluetooth sources are very different. MacBook is way quieter than phone at max volume. And also I will ask about soc thanks! That's a good idea I will mention that together with amplifier chip because it might be a soc yes. Good idea thanks! I will try to tell them all the things in a single message so I don't have to go back and forth too much.

 

[ladybug]

Have you tried unpairing all devices from the headphones? I’ve had weird things happen with volume levels on Bluetooth headphones when they’re paired to multiple devices.

that's weird but I might try that, don't think it will work on those but I will certainly try it. Thanks! If that fixes it that will honestly be a problem by itself but at least I will get my higher volume levels.

 

[JaMaSt]

If you've EQ'd the sound, maybe boost each frequency by an equivalent amount to increase the volume slightly? I do that with my gaming IEM's on some games where the volume is low.

Also, sometimes when I'm listening to music on YouTube, I inadvertently turned down the volume of YouTube and forgot about it. My PC volume is at 100%, but YouTube is at less than that.

 

[ladybug]

If you've EQ'd the sound, maybe boost each frequency by an equivalent amount to increase the volume slightly? I do that with my gaming IEM's on some games where the volume is low.

Also, sometimes when I'm listening to music on YouTube, I inadvertently turned down the volume of YouTube and forgot about it. My PC volume is at 100%, but YouTube is at less than that.

yeah the YouTube volume , I check it so no problem there but the other thing see that's the problem and that's why I think it will be capable of outputting more sound(the amplifier). I don't want to raise the frequencies, I will try but the thing is it will ruin the tuning and will not sound as good. I will try doing it slightly and we will see. But that's the thing. When they are turned up and at the beginning I tried turning them up a lot(well the max is +3db and the min -3db so that's the margin) but I did try turn them up in the beginning and it does fix the loudness problem at least on the phone. The MacBook is still quiet for some reason I don't know. And when I turn them up it does fix that and it is clear so the amplifier could take it and the headphones could output more sound no problem. That's why I am looking for ways to boost them but just the volume. I will wait for an answer from Edifier. Otherwise boosting the frequencies will work, but boosting the base(well I don't want to do that) and if I boost the mids it starts sounding more unnatural(twangy, or I don't know how to describe it, the voices start sounding more unnatural and bad). The headphones don't sound as good if the tuning is not applied.

 

[ladybug]

They are already at the maximum I will be returning them and buying more powerful ones. I guess you guys were right that's the only way. At least I tried other easier options.