Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacBook Speaker Volume: any hacks to increase it?

Argelius

Argelius

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 16, 2005
292
6
I know the issue of the MacBook speaker volume have been discussed elsewhere, but I was wondering if there are any system hacks/applications that can increase the maximum volume?

I don't really use the internal speakers for anything other than system sounds and listening to web-content -- flash videos, youtube, etc. (In other words, if I want to listen to iTunes or a DVD, I'll use headphones or eternal speakers).

The max volume is just *barely* loud enough unless there is absolutely no ambient sound in the room...
 
There might be, but you probably shouldn't go about doing it. Apple probably thought about it and put the volume cap at the best possible place. If you get it to go any higher you might run the risk of blowing the speakers. Laptop speakers are only glorified headphones a lot of time.

I have HKs on my Toshiba Satallite, I love them. Can fill almost a whole house with sound and good base.

Apart from volume, how do they sound anyway? Better than an iBook?
 
well, comparing with 12-inch powerbook, macbook speaker is very poor. I can't even hear some podcast if I don't pump up the volume. but 12-inch? I just set volume 65%, I can hear everything even little noise environment. likely ibook speaker, macbook one is so inferior. Apple must install new speaker like 12-inch powerbook. they should because now 12-inch lineup was merged with ibook line as macbook. that's why. even 12-inch has woofer inside. macbook doesn't. this kind of setting is not cost much. do you know how much intel 950 GMA graphic chip? it's only 10$. so do you think that is it cost too much? NO. I hope Apple will get a good notebook speaker next time.
 
Dunno if mine are just abnormally loud, but I wouldn't want to drive them any harder...I would worry about blowing them. I never run them at full volume because they are too loud anyway.

Just curious...what kind of situation are you in when you need that kind of volume, but aren't near speakers or headphones?
 
Usually the speakers are fine, but I can hardly hear the other person when using ichat. "What? Huh? Say that again!"
 
CanadaRAM said:
Have you looked at the equalization, volume and compression controls within iTunes itself?
Click to expand...

of course, I already checked it out. also you need to open audio midi setup if you're not satisfied. but the problem is when you pump up the volume higher, sound starts to be distorted I can't listen anymore. but my old 12-inch powerbook doesn't do that. I don't even need to go to high volume to listen. there is something speaker quality problem here.
 
altogether said:
Usually the speakers are fine, but I can hardly hear the other person when using ichat. "What? Huh? Say that again!"
Click to expand...

Ah I see...I found for any video conferencing with any machine, headphones tend to work better for the same reason.
 
I don't have a problem with the speakers in my MacBook Pro, but the headphones output can be quite weedy at times.
 
screensaver400 said:
I wish VolumeLogic was universal, and that it worked system-wide, not just in iTunes.
Click to expand...

I posted that issue in the past. I emailed to plantronics which develops volume logic. they said that universal version will be out this month or next month.
 
You might want to visit this thread
<https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=11808593&posted=1#post11808593>

So going by the advice there, i tried this volume booster called Boom, might want to have a look at it.
 
In iTunes and Quicktime you can use Shift and the top arrow key when at max volume key to get another 30% volume. But this won't help with web content.

In Windows there are some utilities I have used to that intercept the audio stream and those allow you to boost it. I'm not quite sure if there is an exact replica on OS X.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back