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Hi All,
So I've just bought I nice chuncky Phillips portable speaker (one of these; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291329955584?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) after a recommendation on here, to use as part of an outdoor audio installation that I am working on. I've noticed that the sound levels are distinctly louder when I am playing through the bluetooth than through the aux 3.5mm jack- why is this?
The extra volume would be very useful (The installation will be in a wood, to be heard at a distance) but I need to make several units, and I already have several MP3 players, and don't really want the additional expense of new bluetooth ones- can the volume be brought up without needing to use bluetooth?
Also, is there any way to turn off the annoying beep when the bluetooth connects?
Cheers all...
What's the source?
Silly point, but you have the volume all the way up on the MP3 players...?
you have the volume all the way up
Try turning them up to 11
It wouldn't surprise if its got something to do with converting the sound to 128kbps (max quality BT plays I think) and loosing some of the dynamic range. Listening through the jack it doesn't need to convert it to shit quality. I could be completely wrong tho. 😉
From what I understand, the Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) in the device that converts the digital music file to an analogue signal in the 3.5mm jack is often not that good, due to compromises for cost and size.
The latest bluetooth codecs (ANT+, bluetooth 4.0) transmit the file essentially lossless to the bluetooth receiver, which will often have a better quality DAC than the MP3 player/smartphone. Hence the difference in volume and quality
Disclaimer: I'm not an expert. I couldn't even tell you for certain what a codec is. Like a code, I guess, but with an extra "c"?
What are your MP3 players? If they are like my Sandisk ClipZip, they have a setup procedure that asks which country you are in. If you choose UK,USA or some Euroland, it severely restricts the headphone volume to prevent getting sued for hearing loss. Set it to Rest of World, and you can make your ears bleed.
The beep will be built into the Philips' firmware. You probably won't be able to change that. Again the Philips, like many consumer electronics, is a bit of a black box so who knows why the audio gain structure is the way it is. Bluetooth 4.0 AptX streams at 352kbit/s. I doubt the DAC in an outdoor portable speaker would be any better than the DAC in an MP3/player.
Midlifecrashes' suggestion is worth a try.
Hi chaps thanks for the replies -
Mp3 players are indeed Sansa clips, as they seem to offer most bang for buck, though if I really can't get enough volume out of them I may try and find some old Zen Micros on ebay.
Midlifecrashes - I seem to remember something about setup before - do you need to reset factory settings to get to it?
Other than that I might just try and compress the hell out of the spoken word audio, but then that is a whole other forum thread...
Yes, restore factory settings. (It loses your FM presets but keeps your music files.) Go to Settings>Restore>Language to your choice>Region, you get three choices: USA, Europe, RestOfWorld. Pick ROW and you get your headphone volume back where you want it.