 |
 |
Does Volume Setting Matter
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Regular
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York City
Status:
Offline
|
|
I've been using the following model for years: Mac output up all the way.. use the volume on powered speakers.
I'm wondering if it makes alot of difference in audio quality, speacker longevity to reverse the model. Speaker Volume fixed all the way up.. Mac volume adjusted via the keyboard. Any ideas??? Which one is supposed to sound different?
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mac Elite
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Status:
Offline
|
|
Both somewhere in the middle is the way to go. When you turn any type of audio amplifier up near the maximum you will add audible noise that equals a much poorer audio experience. This is known as poor gain staging. Good gain staging basically means that at each stage of audio amplification, you never turn it up far enough to add significant audible noise, thus maximizing your signal to noise ratio. In pro applications, power amplifiers (the ones that actually drive the speakers) are often turned up all the way but consumer level stereos and such nearly always add a lot of noise when pushed to the max.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Status:
Offline
|
|
yea, i used to keep the speakers at about halfway, then adjust them with the keyboard. i just found it very convenient turn it up and down that way. now i use the digital out so it doesnt apply.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Status:
Offline
|
|
I balance both the external speaker's volume level and the mac's volume level, trying not to max anything out. I'll crank up iTunes though, leaving the computer's volume a few ticks from full.
I use 'Sizzling Keys' that controls iTunes volume via key-command, no matter what application is in front. So I've got key commands for that, the system-wide volume control on the keyboard as well, and then the volume knob on my Klipsch speakers.
|
|
ice
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status:
Offline
|
|
I can't think of a reason not to leave the application/OS volume at 100% when you have volume controls on the speakers.
(Last edited by IceEnclosure; Jun 24, 2008 at 02:54 PM.
(Reason:meant to quote!))
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Status:
Offline
|
|
Originally Posted by mduell 
I can't think of a reason not to leave the application/OS volume at 100% when you have volume controls on the speakers.
I'm all for iTunes volume being at or near full, but OS volume at full, unless I'm actively listening to music, is setting me up for something loud at 4am that I wasn't expecting. Such as accidentally hitting spacebar on an MP3 in the finder, having it open in QuickLook - boy that's loud!
|
|
ice
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status:
Offline
|
|
Originally Posted by IceEnclosure
I'm all for iTunes volume being at or near full, but OS volume at full, unless I'm actively listening to music, is setting me up for something loud at 4am that I wasn't expecting. Such as accidentally hitting spacebar on an MP3 in the finder, having it open in QuickLook - boy that's loud!
And why is this a problem when you have volume control on your speakers that works 24 hours a day?
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 
|
|
|
Forum Rules
|
|
|
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
|
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top
