Ok, I found this forum via googling after receiving a new Sony NWZ-B143 and a X-Mini powered speaker from Amazon in the UK. I've found a lot of posts in this thread pretty damning of the Op and since I am seeing too low volume with my new MP3 player I thought I'd just comment here.
There is a volume range of 0-30 on this device (NWZ-B143), but at level 30 it is pretty comparable to my last Sony MP3 player at level 20. My last player has an exhausted battery but I was able to test it with the X-mini speaker, along with a borrowed Ipod Touch.
If I use the MP3 player as sold, the loudness through the headphones reaches comfortable limits. This is safe and understandable. I know to protect my hearing after time with the army firing all sorts of interesting devices that made loud noises (sic)
But.............pair these newer mp3 devices with the lowered/capped volume with a powered speaker and you are totally let down!
Whereas my older mp3 player and the Ipod Touch I borrowed to test could make the X-mini speaker bounce and fill the room with sound, the new mp3 player failed miserably. This means my intention of buying a new player and mini speaker which would be portable, with long life batteries, to play wherever I went, has fallen flat.
I don't know under what rules I could send my mp3 player back? I've emailed Sony asking them if it can be unlocked or if this is all I am going to get. Maybe you could say it is not Sony's fault as they are selling it for use with headphones, but this is going to be a growing problem if the volumes on devices are going to be capped as it will wipe out functionality of mini powered speakers!
The international community in a forum like this need to be aware that certain countries are limiting the volume on devices to protect users from themselves. Some appear to be doing it voluntarily ahead of laws being brought in. Now this important point has can be reached we won't be accusing people of not turning AVS off, being deaf, having earwax or any other assortment of cultural issues regarding the music they listen to, no?