How to increase headphone volume?
Check Your Device’s Volume Settings
The first step is to maximize the volume capabilities of your headphone device. Start by turning the system volume up to maximum on your smartphone, computer, or audio player. This raises the hardware’s baseline volume potential that headphones then build upon.
Next, check for any software limiters or enhancements enabled in your device’s settings. For example, on an iPhone go to Settings > Sound & Haptics > Headphone Safety and disable “Reduce Loud Sounds” [1]. On Android, go to Settings > Sound > Media volume limit, turn off the toggle and remove any max limit set [2]. Turning off any “safe listening mode” or similar limiters ensures your device pushes maximum volume potential to the headphones.
With software volume maximized, your headphones can reach their highest possible loudness when connected to the device. This essential first step sets the foundation before exploring other volume boosting methods.
Use a Headphone Amplifier
One way to increase headphone volume is by using a headphone amplifier. These portable devices boost the audio signal going to your headphones, providing more power to the headphone drivers and allowing them to play louder (https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/headphone-amplifiers-market/).
Headphone amplifiers come in different form factors – some are designed to clip onto your phone or media player, while others plug directly into the charging port. This makes them convenient to pair with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/headphone-amplifiers-market-research-report-unlocks-analysis-umkue/).
When shopping for a headphone amplifier, look for one that provides enough power for your specific headphones. The amplifier should have an output impedance that matches the impedance rating of your headphones. Portable headphone amplifiers range widely in price, with more powerful options generally costing more.
Adjust Your Headphones
One way to increase your headphone volume is by ensuring your headphones or earbuds fit properly to get the best sound quality. Over-ear headphones that fully seal out external noise can provide clearer audio at higher volumes compared to loose fitting earbuds. According to Straits Research, the over-ear or around ear style accounted for nearly 50% of global headphone revenue in 2021 due to their improved noise isolation.
For earbuds, getting a snug and secure fit is key for maximizing bass response and overall volume. Try swapping between different sized eartips that come with your earbuds to find the best seal without being uncomfortable. An ill-fitting earbud can lose up to 50% of bass sound according to headphone maker Shure.
Lastly, inspect your audio connections like the headphone jack and plug. Buildup of pocket lint and debris on the plug can cause a loose connection resulting in low volumes. Gently clean the jack and plug with a soft brush or compressed air to remove any dirt or dust. Doing so can provide a clear path for audio signals and may increase your headphone volume.
Use High Impedance Headphones
Impedance is measured in ohms and limits the flow of electrical current through headphones. Higher impedance headphones, such as those with impedances of 80 ohms or more, require more power from an amplifier to drive them. As a result, they will play louder on devices capable of supplying this increased power.
The main benefit of high impedance headphones is that they can produce cleaner audio with less distortion, especially in the bass frequencies. This leads to a more accurate and detailed sound. High impedance headphones are popular with audiophiles and sound engineers for this reason. Some models to consider are the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro and Sennheiser HD 600.
However, high impedance headphones require more power to reach optimal listening volumes. Most smartphones, computers and portable devices cannot provide enough power on their own. Using a headphone amplifier provides the necessary extra power to properly drive high impedance headphones.
Update Your Audio Drivers
Outdated audio drivers can sometimes cause issues with low headphone volume. Audio drivers act as the software interface between your operating system and the audio components like your sound card or headphone jack. As the drivers get outdated, they may not be fully compatible with new OS updates or audio enhancements, leading to problems like low volume.
It’s recommended to keep your audio drivers regularly updated, especially for Windows devices. Check your laptop, desktop, or motherboard manufacturer’s website for the latest audio drivers available for your model. Install these updated drivers, which are optimized to work properly with your hardware and OS version. Keeping the drivers updated can resolve any software-related volume issues.
Many audio drivers now include “enhanced” audio features like equalizers, surround sound, and voice clarification. While useful in some cases, having these active can sometimes inadvertently lower the volume. Check your audio software settings and disable any enhanced audio effects. Sticking to the basic driver without extra processing can help increase the raw headphone volume.
Overall, updating your audio drivers ensures maximum compatibility and intended performance for your system’s sound components. If dealing with low headphone volume, this should be one of the first troubleshooting steps to try. Keeping drivers regularly maintained can prevent volume issues down the line. For more driver update tips, refer to the Microsoft Answers community.
Choose High Quality Audio Files
Opting for high quality audio files with a high bitrate and lossless compression can help increase the perceived loudness of your headphones. Lossless audio formats like FLAC, ALAC, and WAV preserve more of the original audio data compared to lossy formats like MP3 and AAC, resulting in a fuller, more dynamic sound. When audio is compressed, especially at low bitrates below 192kbps, the high and low frequencies tend to get clipped off, reducing the audio quality.
Avoid listening to low bitrate audio streams which can make your music sound dull and flat. Music services like Spotify and Apple Music allow you to choose higher quality streaming options which will sound louder and clearer through your headphones. Using a wired connection rather than Bluetooth can also help preserve audio fidelity.
You can further boost loudness by adjusting the EQ settings on your headphone amp or audio device. Slightly increasing the highs can add crispness and detail, while a bit more bass can give a sense of power and fullness. Just avoid overdoing it and aim for smooth, balanced EQ settings. With quality lossless files and a little EQ adjustment, you can make the most of your headphone’s frequency range and volume capabilities.
Avoid Background Noise
One way to be able to listen to your headphones at a lower, safer volume is by avoiding background noise when possible. According to the Hearing Health Foundation, external noise is one of the main reasons people turn up the volume on their headphones to dangerous levels (Source). If you eliminate ambient sounds around you, you won’t need to crank up the volume as much in order to hear your audio clearly.
Using headphones themselves can help block out background noise. Noise-canceling or sound-isolating headphones that form a tight seal over or in your ears keep external sounds muffled. This allows you to listen at lower volumes by default. Additionally, finding a quiet space like an empty room, library or your home can remove distracting sounds altogether so your headphones don’t have to work as hard.
Pay attention to your surroundings when possible and move to a quieter area or use noise-blocking headphones to limit background noise. This will help you listen safely at lower volumes without sacrificing audio quality.
See an Audiologist
Seeing an audiologist can help address potential underlying medical issues causing your low headphone volume. An audiologist can check for hearing loss, buildup of earwax, ear infections, and other conditions affecting your hearing. According to the WHO, over 5% of the world’s population requires rehabilitation for disabling hearing loss [1]. An audiologist can perform a hearing test to determine if you have any hearing loss. They can also examine your ear canal for excess earwax, inflammation from infection, or blockage. Getting your ears checked and cleaned regularly can prevent wax buildup and help maximize your headphone volume.
An audiologist may recommend a hearing aid or other assistive devices if you have hearing loss impacting headphone use. They can also provide guidance on protecting your hearing from further damage. Overall, seeing an audiologist helps diagnose and address any medical factors limiting your headphone volume. Getting your hearing tested ensures your ears are healthy and operating at full capacity.
Replace Your Headphones
Over time, the drivers inside headphones that produce the sound can start to wear out and fail. This can lead to issues like distorted, muffled, or significantly quieter audio coming from your headphones. Replacing your old headphones with a newer model can help increase volume back to normal levels.
Upgrading to newer headphone models, especially newer versions of the same headphones, will often provide louder maximum volume levels. Technology improves over time, so newer headphones are able to output louder and higher quality sound.
Also inspect your current headphones for any physical damage, like frayed wires or a faulty audio plug. If the connections are damaged, this can impact volume levels. Replacing damaged headphones can restore your headphones’ performance.
According to users on Reddit and Quora, the average headphone lifespan is 1-3 years before needing to be replaced[1][2]. Factors like heavy use, moisture damage, and physical impacts can shorten their usable life. Check for signs like distorted sound, muffled audio, loose wires, and volume drops to determine if it’s time to purchase a new pair of headphones.
Replacing worn out headphones is often necessary to regain loud, high quality sound. Investing in newer models with improved technology is the most reliable way to increase your headphone volume back to maximum levels.
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/9m988b/how_often_do_you_replace_your_headphones/
[2] https://www.quora.com/How-often-do-you-change-headphones
Listen Safely
Increased volume risks hearing damage. Research shows that prolonged exposure to loud sounds above 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss over time. This is especially true for headphone users who listen at high volumes for extended periods.[1] Turning up the volume too high can damage the sensitive hair cells in your inner ear that detect sound.
Take breaks and limit loud listening sessions. Give your ears a rest by keeping listening sessions to less than one hour at high volumes. Build in breaks where you remove your headphones and give your ears a chance to recover.[2] Also, follow the 60/60 rule – listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes.
Learn warning signs like tinnitus. Ringing, buzzing, or roaring sounds in your ears, even temporarily after loud noise exposure, are red flags. This symptom, known as tinnitus, indicates possible damage and the need to turn down the volume.[3]